The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), formerly known as SGMA, has confirmed the election of Bob Puccini (President; Mizuno USA) as the new Chairman of the Board for a one-year term.
The announcement was made at the conclusion of SFIA’s Board of Directors meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on 30 October.
Chris Clawson (President; Life Fitness) was appointed as the new Secretary/Treasurer. Larry Franklin (President; Franklin Sports Inc) will now serve on the board as Immediate Past Chairman. SFIA’s Tom Cove will remain as President and CEO.
“Upon finding out I was being nominated to Chairman of the SFIA, I was honoured, humbled and proud that they chose me to help lead them into a new era that will reinvent the association, its mission, initiatives and values,” said Bob Puccini, Mizuno USA President.
“Over the course of my term as Chairman, I will tap into the intellectual capital and resources of the board to help carry out the processes that will ensure the strategic plan and mission are accomplished.”
The Board also elected three new members for full-terms (2012-2015). They are Jim Gerson (President; Speedo USA), Jeff Padovan (CEO; Bite Tech), and Michael Savage (CEO; Fitness EM).
Those re-elected to the board include: Gary Barfield (Executive Vice President; Russell Brands LLC), Jennifer Bendall (Director of Government Affairs; Nike Inc), Sarah Fields (President; Century LLC), Matt LeBretton (Director of Public Affairs; New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc), and Matt Mirchin (Senior Vice President of Global Brand & Sports Marketing; Under Armour Inc).
Newly elected directors will join existing board members Brian Anderson (CEO; Madd Gear), Jim Baugh (President; Jim Baugh Consulting), Chris Considine (President; Wilson Sporting Goods Company), Carl Ferraro (President; Unisource Global Solutions), Paul Ehrlich (Vice President, Business Affairs & General Counsel; adidas America Inc), Steve Furniss (Executive Vice President; TYR Sport Inc), Jon Letzler (President & CEO; Augusta Sportswear Group), Neil Morton (CEO; Everlast Worldwide); Jim Pisani (President; VF Licensed Sports Group); Nathan Pyles (President; Johnson Health Tech North America), Melissa Dawson Ricketts (President; Molten USA), Tom Rogge (President & CEO; Cramer Products Inc) and Kevin Wulff (President & CEO; ASICS America Corporation).
“For the past five years, Bob has generously contributed his time and leadership qualities to the association, making it an honour to elect him Chairman,” said Tom Cove, SFIA President and CEO.
“Our goals and visions are aligned perfectly with his, and we look forward to expanding our reach, affecting more lives through participation in sports and fitness, and enhancing the vitality of our industry. Further, the appointment of Chris Clawson as Secretary Treasury reinforces the SFIA’s commitment to representing the fitness as well as sports industry.”
