Nolan Partners Recruits CEO for USA Cycling
January 14, 2019 – Chad Biagini, managing director of North America for Nolan Partners has placed former New Balance Athletics executive Rob DeMartini as the new CEO of USA Cycling in Colorado Springs, CO.
“Our entire board and management team enthusiastically welcome Rob as our new CEO,” said Bob Stapleton, USA Cycling chairman of the board. “His passion and ambition for both the future of USA Cycling and our sport is inspiring. He also brings the proven leadership, commercial skills and resources to elevate USA Cycling and to do more for our members, partners and athletes.
Mr. DeMartini, who will begin his new position next month, has spent the last 12 years as president and CEO of New Balance Athletics. During his tenure, he accomplished one of the highest periods of growth in the athletic footwear and apparel industry, driving the company from $1.5 billion annual revenue in 2007 to $4.4 billion in 2018. Mr. DeMartini led the expansion of international sales and guided the brand as it regained its position as a leader in specialty running while also focusing on cultivating company culture.
“Rob was a great partner while leading New Balance and connected with all levels of our organization,” said Michael Capiraso, CEO and president of New York Road Runners. “His commitment to the running community aligned perfectly with our mission to help and inspire people through running. Together, we made a positive impact on hundreds of thousands of people of all ages and abilities every year. Rob has a great feel for the power of partnership and community, a skill that will surely benefit USA Cycling and the sport of cycling in the future.”
Sports and Entertainment Expansion Elevating Search Business
Over the last quarter century, the sports sector has grown into a formidable global industry. Historically, professional sports teams operated on a relatively modest level, with league officials, team owners, managers and coaches surrounding themselves with people they knew and trusted from their own small worlds. College sports teams relied on in-house search committees and word-of-mouth recommendations. Much of that has forever changed.
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Mr. DeMartini joined New Balance from Tyson Foods. He previously spent 20 years at Procter & Gamble where he held management roles with the Gillette Co., North American Snacks and Millstone Coffee. He also serves on the board of the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, Welch’s and Aloha Food. He has also been chairman of the American Apparel and Footwear Association as well as a board member of KaBOOM! and the Two Ten Footwear Foundation.
Preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Games
“As I join USA Cycling, I look forward to working closely with Chuck Hodge (chief of racing and events) in support of our members, event directors and race officials as well as Scott Schnitzspahn (VP of elite athletics) to prepare our riders for the Tokyo 2020 Games,” said Mr. DeMartini. “I am excited to join this capable team and very optimistic that we can better meet members’ needs, grow the leadership role USA Cycling plays in our industry and make all disciplines of cycling stronger.”
Related: Executive Recruiters Prove Invaluable to Thriving Global Sports Sector
A passionate cyclist and athlete, Mr. DeMartini has ridden in the Pan-Mass Challenge bike-a-thon for the past 11 years along with participating in other cycling events.
Sports Recruiters
Nolan Partners, founded in 2006, is a global leader in executive search in sports and entertainment. The firm has conducted more than 600 executive placements across 31 sports and six continents.
Related: Executive Recruiters Prove Invaluable to Thriving Global Sports Sector
UPDATED : Nolan Partners works with clients that include world-renowned sports clubs, governing bodies, professional leagues, venues, broadcasters, and major corporate organizations involved in sports. Among them: the English Premier League, Manchester United, USTA, PGA Tour, Mercedes Formula One, and teams across all five major North American leagues.
Mr. Biagini has more than 10 years of experience in executive search, representing a wide range of sports clients including Ultimate Fighting Championship, WWE, Special Olympics, and teams across Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer and the NFL. Throughout his career, he placed more than 200 senior executives across the industries of financial services, consumer products, technology, private equity, automotive, non-profit, media & entertainment, sports management, aerospace and higher education.
Related: Recruiters Offer Sports Clients an Expanding Talent Platform
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
