By Thomas J. Ryan

Quite a few executives displaced by the liquidation of Sports Authority several months ago have already lined up new jobs, including some inside the sports industry. So, where have they landed? Here’s a roundup of a few of the transitions at the corporate level.

  • Jeremy Aguilar, Sports Authority’s CFO from January 2014 to July 2016, was appointed EVP, CFO at Bob’s Discount Furniture.
  • Brian Burnett, formerly DMM of footwear for Sports Authority from September 2013 to June 2016, has become VP and GMM Rack Room Shoes.
  • Heidi Cooley, VP of marketing at Sports Authority from March 2014 to July 2016, has become VP, global marketing at Crocs.
  • Jennifer Carlsen Jones, the director of digital marketing strategy, Sports Authority from October 2012 to July 2016, has been named VP of marketing, SafeSplash Brands.
  • Brenton Leefers, athletic footwear buyer for Sports Authority from May 2010 to January 2015, has joined WSS/Eurostar as VP and DMM men’s footwear.
  • Jason Ostendorf, director, e-commerce operations, Sports Authority from June 2013 to October 2015, has become director of e-commerce merchandising operations at Academy Sports + Outdoors.
  • Kathy Persian, CIO and SVP of e-commerce and business transformation at Sports Authority from October 2013 to January 2016, was appointed CIO at The Schwan Food Company.
  • Clint Pierce, formerly SVP, general merchandise manager for footwear and apparel at Sports Authority, was appointed VP, divisional merchandise manager for athletic footwear at Shoe Carnival.
  • Scott Schmaltz, VP and DMM outdoor adventure at Sports Authority from May 2013 to June 2016, has joined East Point Sports as VP operations and procurement.
  • Matt Shufeldt, formerly VP and chief information security officer, Sports Authority, has been named VP and business information security officer at TriZetto.
  • Ryan Shuster, former VP product development – hardlines, apparel and footwear, Sports Authority, has become VP, global sourcing at Big Lots.
  • Brian Stein, formerly SVP regional operations at Sports Authority from June 2003 to February 2016, now heads up the field leadership mountain division at Sun & Ski.
  • Ron Stoupa, EVP, chief marketing officer and chief digital officer, Sports Authority, from January 2015 until July 2016, joined Gander Mountain as SVP marketing and e-commerce.
  • Michelle Van Ess, most recently VP and DMM active and seasonal apparel at Sports Authority, joined Jo-Ann Stores as VP and DMM. She first joined Sports Authority as a men’s activewear buyer in June 2006.
  • Tiler Wilkerson, most recently yoga and swim buyer for Sports Authority, has joined Under Armour as global merchandise manager – women’s training.
  • Robert Will, previously SVP, general merchandising manager at Sports Authority in charge of hardgoods, licensed apparel and golf apparel, joined Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores as SVP, general merchandising manager, craft. He joined Sports Authority as VP divisional merchandise manager-team sports in 2010.
  • Eya Yerkes, most recently SVP planning and supply chain, Sports Authority, has joined Five Below as SVP planning and allocation.

Photo courtesy Sports Authority, Park Meadows