(September 4, 2024) – The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Board of Directors has appointed Todd Smith as President and Chief Executive Officer for the association, effective October 1, 2024. Smith will succeed current President/CEO, Tom Cove, who earlier this year announced his retirement after leading the organization since 2005.
“I am excited to have Todd join the SFIA,” said Jon Ram, Chairman of the SFIA Board of Directors and former CEO, C&J Clarks Shoes. “He embodies the energy and values of the SFIA and our members. It was a challenging process to find a leader capable and suitable of following in Tom’s footsteps and exceptional leadership. Todd’s leadership and strong track record will enable the SFIA to continue to excel in its work to represent our dynamic industry and our amazing members.”
Smith joins the SFIA, whose members consist of hundreds of brands, manufacturers, and retailers in the sports products industry, after serving as the Senior Vice President at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organization. In this role, he was a leader in expanding the association’s membership network, creating new programs and resources for U.S. Chamber members, and advancing the advocacy and policy priorities of the business community.
Smith brings to the SFIA CEO role a strong knowledge and passion for the sports and fitness industry. Prior to joining the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Smith was a Director of Global Partnerships for AEG, a global leader in the sports and entertainment industry. His extensive industry experience, having worked across the professional sports sector with the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, NHL’s LA Kings, and MLS’s LA Galaxy as a leader in sponsorship sales, marketing, and fan development, provides Smith with a deep understanding of the needs of SFIA’s members. He holds a master’s degree in sports management from LSU and a bachelor’s degree from UCLA.
“I’m thrilled to have Todd coming aboard,” said Mike Zlaket, Chair of the SFIA Board Search Committee and CEO of Rawlings Sporting Goods. “Tom Cove is retiring with a long, successful legacy and leaves big shoes to fill, and Todd really checked all the boxes during the search process. I am confident he will be a tremendous leader who will represent our industry with class, creativity, and passion, and I know we have a very bright future ahead of us under Todd’s leadership.”
Media Contact:
Lisa Futterman | [email protected]
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ABOUT SFIA: The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the #1 source for sport and fitness research, is the leading global trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products and fitness industry. SFIA seeks to promote sports and fitness participation, as well as industry vitality through research, thought leadership, public affairs, industry affairs, and member services. For more information, please visit sfia.org.