Competitor Group Inc (CGI), the leading active lifestyle sports media and event entertainment company, has named Paul F Walsh as interim CEO and George Gresham as interim CFO while it conducts a worldwide search to find a permanent replacement for Scott Dickey and Steve Gintowt, both of whom are transitioning out of the company.
“We appreciate Scott and Steve’s endeavours over the past five years, adding many world-class events and brands to the company, and their hard work as the business transitioned ownership,” said Walsh.
“The board and I could not be more excited about the future of Competitor Group and now are focused on positioning the company for strategic growth through continued innovation and building upon the strong foundation of quality branded events, compelling content and world-class services CGI has provided.”
The CGI release did not specify the reasons for the departure of Scott Dickey and Steve Gintowt. In March 2012 Scott Dickey was named President and Chief Executive Officer. He was previously President and Chief Operating Officer. Recently Bill Pedigo was appointed to the company’s senior management team as Chief Revenue Officer. Pedigo will spearhead CGI’s sales and sponsorship division. He was, until now, reporting directly to CEO Scott Dickey.
Current Chairman, and now acting CEO, Paul Walsh referred to the role of Scott Dickey and Steve Gintowt in transitioning the company under new ownership. Calera Capital acquired CGI from previous owner Falconhead Capital last December. At that time, Dickey and Gintowt were the two main figureheads leading the company.
Competitor Group has faced some challenges in the world of running this year – with some criticism of its cancellation of appearance fees for elite runners at its Rock ‘n’ Roll races, to the cessation of certain half marathons in the US.
New senior management
Paul Walsh is currently chairman of the board of CGI and brings more than three decades of global executive experience to his new role with CGI. Previously, Walsh served as CEO of eFunds Corp, Wright Express, BancOne Diversified Services and Diners Club Germany. Walsh also serves as a director of Staples Inc, as Chairman of the board of Sterling InfoSystems, and is a former member of the board of trustees at the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
George Gresham also brings extensive experience and financial expertise to CGI and has been acting as an advisor to the company. Previously, Gresham served as Executive Vice President and CFO of NetSpend Holdings where he led a successful initial public offering in 2010. Prior to that, he was CFO at GCA Holdings and eFunds Corporation, where he worked closely with Walsh.
Headquartered in San Diego, California, Competitor Group’s portfolio of media assets span the full range of the expanding endurance industry and include a robust digital community on the web and on mobile across the Competitor Endurance Sports Network of websites.
Additionally, Raceit.com, a leading digital registration platform, is positioned as the catalyst for the company’s race services offering. Acquired by CGI in September 2011, Raceit.com looks to meet the needs not only for CGI’s owned and operated events, but also for endurance events of all sizes on behalf of the entire industry.
CGI owns and operates 83 events around the world, including the flagship Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, TriRock Triathlon Series, NFL Run Series, Women’s Running Series and the REI Muddy Buddy Series, collectively delivering more than 600,000 professional and amateur participants in 2013.
Anchoring the company with content and marketing leverage are five publishing properties dedicated to running, cycling and triathlon: Velo, Inside Triathlon, Triathlete, Women’s Running and Competitor with a combined monthly circulation of over 700,000.
