The new heads of Adidas, Asics, Caleres, Decathlon, DSW, Foot Locker, IFit, Peloton, Under Armour, Reebok, The North Face, and Vans were among the major C-suite moves that recast leadership across the active lifestyle industry in 2022.
Below are the notable executive changes SGB reported on in 2022.
December 2022
Under Armour, Inc. hired Marriott International President Stephanie Linnartz as president & CEO and to its Board of Directors, effective February 27, 2023. Read more
Pentland Brands, Ltd. reported that Matt Rock was promoted to president, Americas, Pentland Brands, overseeing Speedo and the company’s portfolio, including Endura and Mitre for the Americas region. Read more
The UCAN Company hired Elena Sukacheva as CEO. Sukacheva will also serve on the company’s Board of Directors. Read more
Ammo, Inc., the owner of GunBroker.com, hired Jared Smith as chief operating officer and president, effective January 3, 2023. Smith, most recently, was GM for Fiocchi of America. Read more
Puffin Drinkwear hired Scott Allan as interim CEO. Allan is an industry veteran with 25 years of experience working with growth-stage businesses and product lines. Read more
Fenix Outdoor named Erik Burbank, a former Keen and Helly Hansen executive, as global brand president, Royal Robbins, succeeding Michael Millenacker. Read more
Urban Outfitters, Inc. reported that Francis Pierrel, president, Urban Outfitters Group, left the company. Read more
VF Corp. announced that Steve Rendle, its chairman, president and CEO had stepped down. Benno Dorer, a lead independent director of the company’s Board, was named interim president and CEO. The change came following VF again lowering its revenue and earnings expectations for the second half of its fiscal year. Read more
Planet Fitness, Inc. hired Edward Hymes as president and chief operating officer, reporting to CEO Chris Rondeau. Read more
November 2022
Zwift hired Amazon executive Kurt Beidler as co-CEO sharing the role with founder Eric Min, who has been CEO since the company was founded in 2014. Read more
Feetures reported that John Gaither, the company’s COO, would succeed his father, Hugh Gaither, founder and CEO, effective January 1, 2023. Hugh Gaither will evolve his role as chairman of Feetures’ executive committee. Read more
Nexgen Packaging hired James Welch as CEO. Welch assumed the role in October after being the company’s co-CEO since June 2021. Co-founder Andy Effron moved from the co-CEO role to the chairman. Read more
Italian manufacturer Chiappa Firearms hired Don Madole as president of Chiappa Firearms, USA, Ltd. Read more
Rad Power Bikes CEO Mike Radenbaugh stepped down, replaced by Phil Molyneux, who joined the Seattle-based e-bike company as president and COO earlier in 2022. Read more
Rapha, the U.K.-based cycling apparel brand, reported that William Kim had stepped down as CEO for personal reasons. He was replaced by Francois Convercey and Daniel Blumire, appointed joint managing directors. Read more
USA Shooting hired Craig Kozeniesky as CEO, effective early January 2023. Brent McPherson serves as interim CEO and Alex Szablewski as interim COO until Kozeniesky assumes the position full-time. Read more
Michelle Gass, CEO, Kohl’s, announced she would step down early next month to become the president of Levi Strauss & Co. Levi’s said Gass would start work and join its Board on January 2. The Board began a succession plan for her to succeed Chip Bergh as president and CEO in the next 18 months. Read more
Adidas AG reported that Bjørn Gulden, Puma’s CEO, would be appointed to its executive board and as CEO of Adidas AG, effective January 1, 2023.
October 2022
Lacoste promoted Catherine Spindler to deputy chief executive officer. Spindle joined Lacoste as chief brand officer in 2019. Read more
Red Wing Shoe Company’s board of directors named Allison Gettings president and CEO, effective January 1, 2023. Gettings is the great-granddaughter of J.R. Sweasy, who was president and CEO from 1921 to 1949 and the first fourth-generation family member to run the company. Read more
Belk hired MaryAnne Morin as president and chief merchandising officer. She previously was president at Stein Mart. Read more
Backpacker’s Pantry hired Duane Primozich as CEO. Read more
Yoox Net-A-Porter named Alison Loehnis as interim CEO, effective October 31, replacing Geoffroy Lefebvre, who stepped down to pursue a private equity-backed entrepreneurial career outside of Richemont after 11 years with the company. Read more
VF Corp. promoted Lance Meller to global brand president, Dickies. Read more
JLL reported that Greg Maloney was retiring effective December 31, 2022. Kristin Mueller, a longtime partner and the current COO of JLL’s Property Management, replaces Maloney as president of the company’s Retail Property Management business. Read more
RareWaters hired RJ Hosking as CEO and added to its sales and marketing team timed with its expansion into fly fishing in the Rocky Mountain region. Read more
New York Road Runners reported that Rob Simmelkjaer, a former NBC Sports Ventures and ESPN executive, was hired as chief executive officer, effective November 15. Read more
REI Co-op hired Mary-Farrell Tarbox, effective October 24, as vice president, physical stores and retail operations. Read more
IFit, Inc., the parent of NordicTrack, hired Kevin Duffy as CEO. Previously, he was CEO of Sound United, parent of the Bowers & Wilkins and Denon audio brands. Read more
Spanx, LLC. promoted Kim Jones to CEO. She takes over the position from Spanx founder Sara Blakely, who remains executive chairwoman. (Read More)
September 2022
Sparc Group hired Tim Bantle as CEO of Eddie Bauer. Most recently, Bantle was GM of VF Canada, leading the company’s local outdoor and action sports platform. Read more
Lands’ End, Inc. hired Andrew McLean, the president, of International, at American Eagle Outfitters, as CEO-designate and member of its Board on November 1. Read more
The Headrest Safe Company, LLC hired Irving Meisler as CEO. He is the founder of the company. Read more
PGA Tour Superstore reported that Dick Sullivan, the president and chief executive officer for PGA Tour Superstore, had been named executive chairman and CEO while Jill Spiegel, PGATSS chief merchandising officer, was promoted to president. Read more
USA Skateboarding hired Johnny Schillereff as chief executive officer and president. Read more
Original Footwear Company named Mark Cavanaugh as CEO, succeeding Founder Kevin Cole, who remains on its Board of Directors. Read more
After nearly three decades with Skechers, Senior Vice President of Domestic Sales Rick Graham reported his retirement. Pete Calichman replaces Graham. Read more
Big Rock Sports, LLC and parent company Peak Global Holdings hired David McCartney as president of Big Rock Sports. Read more
A4 acquired LabFit Sublimation and hired industry veteran Todd Levine as president. Mark Mertens remains as chairman and CEO. Read more
Authentic Brands Group promoted Todd Krinsky to CEO of Reebok after acquiring the brand earlier in 2022. Matt O’Toole, who had led Reebok for the past 15 years, will transition to ABG as executive chair in January 2023. Read more
Target reported that Brian Cornell would remain as CEO for another three years, and the Board of Directors eliminated its retirement policy to discuss his retirement as CEO at age 65. Read more
August 2022
Revved Industries named Rob Wesson as president and chief executive officer. Read more
Foot Locker, Inc. reported that, as part of a planned succession process, Richard Johnson would retire as president and chief executive officer, effective September 1. Mary Dillon, former executive chair and CEO of Ulta Beauty, Inc., was appointed president and chief executive officer to its Board, also effective September 1. Read more
Movement Climbing, Yoga and Fitness hired Jeremy Levitt as chief executive officer. Read more
Mayfly Outdoors, known for its fly fishing brands Abel, Ross Reels and Airflo, hired Jeff Wagner as CEO and president. Read more
Canada Goose hired Larry Li as president, China. Most recently, LI was managing director, China, at Dunhill, part of the Richemont Group. Read more
JD Sports hired Régis Schultz as CEO. Schultz had been president of retail for Dubai-based Al-Futtaim Group since 2019. Read more
CrossFit, LLC named Don Faul as CEO. Read more
July 2022
Diane Sullivan, Caleres’ long-time CEO, will retire effective January 15, 2023. Jay Schmidt, president of Caleres, succeeds Sullivan, with Sullivan moving to the role of executive chairman. Read more
Aqualung Group named Scott Rittschof president of Aqualung Group, NA. Read more
KMD Brands, Ltd. advised that Reuben Casey gave his notice to resign as Kathmandu brand CEO. Read more
Carmichael Training Systems Founder Chris Carmichael selected Jeff Pierce, most recently director of elite athletics at USA Cycling, to succeed him as CEO. Read more
Gap, Inc. reported that president and chief executive officer Sonia Syngal would step down and from its Board, following a brief transition. Horacio Barbeito, formerly at Walmart, joined Gap, Inc. as president and chief executive officer of Old Navy. Read more
LeMond Bicycles named Rick Adams as CEO, replacing Dean Hendrickson, who transitioned to CEO of LeMond Carbon. Read more
Lion Brothers Company hired Christopher Heyn as president and CEO. Read more
Filson hired Neil Morgan as president of the company. Read more
Deckers Brands hired Anne Spangenberg as president of Fashion Lifestyle, which includes Ugg and Koolaburra. Most recently, Spangenberg was global vice president of merchandising for Nike, Inc. Read more
GenYouth hired Ann Marie Krautheim as CEO. Read more
June 2022
24 Hour Fitness hired Karl Sanft as president and chief executive officer. Sanft had been the chief operating officer for the past three years. Read more
Inov-8 hired Mike Snell as CEO in October 2022. Snell left his role as commercial director for supermarket chain Asda in September 2022 before joining the UK-founded and headquartered brand. Read more
GOA hired Gabe Maier as president. Maier worked for GOA for six years, including two years as a business analyst and four years as vice president. Read more
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. promoted Ronald Ostrowski from CFO to president. Read more
Pou Sheng, Yue Yuen’s Chinese retail subsidiary, hired Wang Jun as CEO, effective July 1, succeeding Shao-Wu Lee, who is stepped down to become chairman. Read more
Camber Outdoors hired Tiffany Smith as CEO. Most recently, she was the chief development officer for the organization. Read more
KT Tape’s board of directors hired Jessica Klodnicki as CEO. Her past work includes Skullcandy, Vista Outdoor and Mizuno. Read more
Cotopaxi hired Damien Huang as president reporting to CEO and Founder Davis Smith. Huang had been CEO for Eddie Bauer. Read more
Amazon.com, Inc. named longtime executive Doug Herrington as CEO of its worldwide Amazon store business, formerly Consumer, succeeding Dave Clark, who stepped down. Read more
Tecovas reported that David Lafitte was hired as CEO effective June 27. Lafitte had been the chief operating officer for Deckers Brands. Read more
Luxury fashion consignor RealReal reported that after 11 years of leadership, its Founder, Julie Wainwright, was stepping down as CEO, chairperson and member of its board. Read more
Signa Sports United (SSU) hired Max Heimann as CEO, Internetstores Group. He leads SSU brands, including Fahrrad.de, Probikeshop, Addnature, and CAMPZ across Europe. Read more
Walther Manufacturing, Inc. hired Thomas Goike as president and CEO, succeeding Adam Blalock, who transitioned to Board Chair for Walther Arms, Inc. and Umarex USA, Inc. Read more
Rocky Mountain Bicycles, based in Saint-Georges, Quebec, hired Katy Bond as CEO. Owner Raymond Dutil transitioned to executive chairman and coach of innovation. Read more
24 Hour Fitness hired Karl Sanft as president and CEO. For the past three years, Sanft has been the company’s chief operating officer overseeing its nationwide network of clubs. Read more
May 2022
BikeExchange Limited, based in Melbourne, Australia, reported that Mark Watkin had resigned as global CEO. Read more
Alterra Mountain Company stated that Jared Smith, company president, would be promoted to CEO effective August 1. At that time, Rusty Gregory, current CEO, would step back from day-to-day operations to become its board vice-chairman. Read more
Designer Brands, Inc. named Doug Howe as president, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse and executive vice president of Designer Brands, effective late May. He was the chief merchandise officer at Kohl’s. Read more
Mammut Sports Group AG hired Heiko Schäfer as CEO, effective September 1, 2022. Previously, Schäfer was the chief operating officer of Hugo Boss AG. Read more
Trove, the specialist in re-commerce, promoted company President Gayle Tait, to CEO. Andy Ruben, the CEO since founding the company in 2011, transitioned to executive chairman. Read more
Nicklaus Companies, a conglomerate of golf-related businesses run and owned by Jack Nicklaus and his family, hired Phil Cotton as CEO. Read more
United Wheels, Inc., the parent company of Huffy, Niner, Batch, VAAST, and Royce Union, hired Bruno Maier as president and COO. Claude Jordan, CEO for four years, retired but remained as a senior advisor during the transition. Read more
April 2022
Osprey reported that Layne Rigney would step down as CEO. The move follows the December sale of Osprey to Helen of Troy, Ltd. Read more
Newell Brands, Inc. announced the Chris Peterson, chief financial officer and president, Business Operations, was promoted to president and chief financial officer. Read more
Liberty Ammunition hired Gary Ramey as CEO. Read more
Lew Sherr, current chief revenue officer of the USTA, was named USTA chief executive officer and executive director. Read more
TB12, Tom Brady’s apparel brand and wellness company, hired Grant Shriver as CEO and partner. Read more
Brunt Workwear hired Kevin Eskridge, most recently chief product officer at Under Armour, as company’s president. Read more
HanesBrands hired Vanessa LeFebvre as president, global activewear, driving global Champion brand growth. She had been Adidas’ senior vice president, commercial, North America. Read more
Sellmark Corp, the maker of optics and other hunting accessories, named Darrell Mitchell president. Read more
Volvik USA, Inc. hired Young S. Shin as president, following the death of his son, Don Shin, who had been president and CEO since the company was founded in 2012. Read more
Zappos.com promoted Scott Schaefer to CEO. Schaefer had been acting CEO since December 2021. Read more
March 2022
Otis Technology, based in Lyons Falls, NY, named Bill Kleftis as CEO overseeing Otis Technology, Shooter’s Choice and DRD Tactical, effective April 4. Read more
Foot Locker, Inc. hired Samantha Lomow as president, Global Brands. She joined the company from Hasbro, Inc., where she was president, Branded Entertainment. Read more
Scott Maguire replaced Specialized founder Mike Sinyard as CEO. Sinyard, who founded Specialized 48 years ago, assumed the role of founder, chairman and chief rider advocate. Read more
Clarks hired Jonathan Ram as CEO for Clarks shoes, effective April 2022. Read more
Qurate Retail, Inc. hired Terry Boyle as president and CEO of Zulily. Read more
Cocona Labs hired Blair Kanis as president, Cocona Labs, following his role as as general counsel and director of sustainability for Cocona Labs since 2020. Read more
Macy’s, Inc. hired Emily Erusha-Hilleque as senior vice president for Macy’s private brands. Most recently, she was Target’s design director, Ready-to-Wear, Young Contemporary Private Label, Design Partnerships. Read more
VF Corp. promoted Kevin Bailey to global brand president, Vans. Read more
Delta Apparel, Inc. hired Matt Miller as president, Delta Group, effective April 25. Read more
Asics promoted Yasuhito Hirota to CEO. Hirota has been president and COO for four years and retains those roles. Read more
February 2022
Kamik hired Gillian Meek as CEO. Meek brings over 20 years of experience to the Canadian footwear brand, including most recently serving as president of Keds. Read more
Ruffwear reported that Will Blount, who has been president of Ruffwear for 20 years, would step down, and Brandan Hill, former head of product development, assumes the role of in-coming president. Read more
Brooks Running reported that Dan Sheridan would assume a new president and chief operating officer role, partnering with CEO Jim Weber. Read more
Peloton CEO John Foley stepped down as CEO, moving to the role of executive chair. He was replaced by Barry McCarthy. Read more
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. promoted Craig Hewitt, chief operating officer of YMFUS, to president and CEO effective February 1. Read more
Earth Shoes hired Alison Bergen, formerly CEO of Aerosoles, as CEO. She takes over the role from former president Mark Parsley, who left the company. Read more
January 2022
Canyon Bicycle hired former Nike executive Nicolas De Ros Wallace as CEO. Read more
La Jolla Group, Inc. reported that Michael Pratt, chief financial officer and SVP strategy, was promoted to chief executive officer. Daniel Neukomm, CEO since May 2013, assumed the role of executive chairman. Read more
Decathlon hired Barbara Martin Coppola as chief executive officer, succeeding Michel Aballea, effective mid-March. Read more
VF Corp. hired Nicole Otto as global brand president, The North Face. Otto joins VF following a 16-year career at Nike and succeeds Steve Murray, who is retiring. The transition is effective June 2022. Read more
NextLinks named Dave Shultz as CEO. He remains as chairman of the Board. Read more
Ecco Sko A/S hired Tom Berry as president & CEO, Ecco USA. Most recently, he was with Levi Strauss & Co as the SVP, global business development. Read more
Walther Arms, Inc. promoted of Rob McCanna to president and CEO as part of a long-term strategic transition for former Walther CEO Adam Blalock, who is now Chairman of the Board for Walther Arms. Read more
BPI Outdoors hired Scot Fischer as CEO. Read more
Lululemon Athletica, Inc. hired Michael Aragon as CEO of Mirror and Lululemon Digital Fitness, effective January 17. He was the chief content officer at Twitch. Read more
