On the move: Derek Burke at Precor; Gary Peak, Jeff Moser and Steve Lindal at Johnson Health Tech; Conor Fournier at Skins and more
Find out who’s on the move in the fitness industry.
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- Precor, a home and commercial fitness equipment manufacturer, announced the appointment of Derek Burke as EMEA regional commercial director. Burke’s appointment follows the imminent retirement of current President Paul Byrne, and Rob Barker’s subsequent appointment as Precor’s new president. Burke joined the fitness industry in 2003, working as sales and marketing manager with one of Precor’s distribution partners, the KAAS group in the Middle East, and since 2006 has worked directly for Precor. He moves from his current position as sales director for Precor’s EMEA Export business, which he has held since 2009, to take up the responsibilities of EMEA regional commercial director. During his time at Precor, Burke has been instrumental in leading the growth of Precor’s EMEA export business — which covers areas including the Nordics, Russia, the Middle East and Africa — managing and developing a growing, multi-disciplined team, across multiple territories.
- Johnson Health Tech. Co. Ltd. recently announced several leadership promotions for its Australian and North American business units. Gary Peak, who has been with Johnson Health Tech North America (JHTNA) since 2006, will assume the role of managing director of JHT Australia (JHTA), replacing the retiring Terry McIver, effective August 1. Prior to his Australian appointment, Peak led the sales teams for the JHTNA specialty dealer channel for both retail and commercial. With his departure from North America, Jeff Moser, an 11-year veteran of JHTNA, will assume responsibility for the specialty retail dealer channel. Steve Lindal has been promoted to director of commercial dealer business development. Before joining the JHTNA group he served in several industry roles, including: the president of Sports Training Institute, a physical therapy organization (1990-1996); a principal and senior vice president of OMNIfitness (1996-2001); and the general manager of the fitness division at Sportcraft (2004-2005). He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Union College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
- PHIT America — the non-profit education and advocacy organization designed to combat the obesity and sedentary activity crisis — has selected Buffalo Communications as its public relations agency. Buffalo will create and implement an aggressive publicity and media-relations program targeting print, digital and broadcast outlets with focus on consumer health and wellness, sports, business, parenting and related editorial niches. Since its January 2013 launch, more than 130 leading companies and associations from the sports, fitness, retail and media industries have contributed funds and services to support PHIT America. Each shares the vision and goal to create “A Movement for a Fit and Healthy America” by educating men, women and children about the importance of an active lifestyle to improve overall health. PHIT America is headed by Jim Baugh.
- SKINS Compression, which specializes in gradient compression sportswear, announced that sales representative Conor Fournier has joined the brand. In the past six months, Fournier has joined forces with SKINS North America as an independent rep to focus on forming and expanding partnerships in northern California. Fournier is an accomplished Ironman athlete in addition to a passionate runner and cyclist, making him a perfect fit for the SKINS culture and brand. He also brings a deep knowledge and understanding of the retail world due to his previous experience as head buyer for Nytro Sports.
- Verde PR and Consulting, led by Kristin Carpenter-Ogden recently announced the addition of Mio as its newest client. Mio is a pioneer in the field of heart rate monitoring for athletes, and at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Summer Market the company is launching an innovative product called MIO Alpha. The Alpha is the world’s first performance level, strapless, continuous heart-rate monitor you can wear on your wrist.
