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RockSalt Pilates appointed Stephanie Knepp chief operating officer as it expands its U.S. franchise network and prepares to enter the UAE. IMG Academy promoted Mike Milliron to lead its campus business and hired Fred Santarpia to head its online operations. The appointments are part of a wider set of leadership changes across fitness and wellness companies.
RockSalt Pilates has named Stephanie Knepp chief operating officer as the boutique fitness company grows its U.S. franchise footprint and prepares to enter the United Arab Emirates, while IMG Academy has expanded its leadership team across campus and online operations. The appointments are among several executive changes reported across fitness, wellness and sports businesses.
Knepp will oversee RockSalt’s operational standards, franchisee support, training and studio openings, according to Athletech News. She brings more than two decades of experience in fitness, wellness, operations and franchising. Her most recent role was CEO of Sit Still Kids Salon; she has also held franchise leadership positions at Zoom Room Franchising and WellBiz Brands.
RockSalt, founded by Adrian Ramirez in 2012, combines Pilates with cardio, resistance training, weights and choreography. The company began franchising in 2024. It has eight operating studios, with four under construction and five more planned for the first quarter of 2027. The company also reports commitments from five multi-unit development groups for 33 additional studios over four years.
At IMG Academy, Mike Milliron was promoted to president of IMG Academy Campus, and Fred Santarpia was appointed president of IMG Academy Online. Milliron, who joined in 2011 and became campus chief operating officer in 2024, will oversee the Bradenton, Florida, businesses, including the boarding school, camps, events, team training, hotel and golf club. Santarpia joins from Endeavor Streaming and will lead IMG Academy+, NCSA and SportsRecruits. He succeeds Chris Ciaccio, who will focus on campus commercial operations and organization-wide brand and commercial initiatives.
The roundup also reported that Solv Wellness appointed Dr. Christine Vaccaro as its first chief medical officer. She will guide menopause education and help develop resources for patients and health professionals. At 4Ever Young, Tony Nicholson was named vice president of development, with responsibility for franchise recruitment and expansion. Core Health & Fitness named Joey Osborne president and James Drake chief strategy and development officer as it pursues global growth and integrates acquisitions.
Leadership Tied to Expansion Plans
The appointments place experienced operators in roles linked to franchise growth, campus operations and digital services. For RockSalt, a COO responsible for franchisee support and studio openings will be working on the processes needed to serve existing operators and planned locations. Its reported development commitments point to substantial planned growth, though commitments are not the same as opened studios.
IMG Academy’s division of leadership between campus and online businesses reflects the different operations it must manage. Milliron’s remit covers a large physical campus and its associated programs; Santarpia’s includes online offerings and recruitment platforms. The changes give each area a designated president as the academy builds on a campus expansion and the global launch of IMG Academy+.
Across the other companies, the hires also connect leadership changes to specific business priorities: Solv is adding clinical expertise to its education work, 4Ever Young is pursuing new franchise locations, and Core Health & Fitness is aligning executive responsibilities with growth and acquisition integration. These are company plans and stated responsibilities, not evidence that expansion targets have been reached.
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Five Companies Reshape Leadership
The personnel changes were collected in Athletech News’ weekly executive-moves roundup, rather than announced as a single coordinated industry development. The companies operate in different parts of fitness and wellness, so the appointments have separate business contexts.
RockSalt started franchising in 2024 and is building out its studio network. IMG Academy’s appointments follow a major campus expansion and the global launch of IMG Academy+. Its previous online president, Chris Ciaccio, had also served as chief commercial officer; he is now focused on campus commercial operations and brand and commercial initiatives across the organization.
Solv Wellness develops products and educational resources focused on women’s pelvic, urinary, vaginal and menopause health. Vaccaro, a double board-certified urogynecologist and sexual medicine specialist, spent 30 years in the U.S. military and served at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The roundup also notes that 4Ever Young is working toward 100 open locations nationwide, while Core Health & Fitness’ appointments follow acquisitions of Aktiv Solutions and Texas-based Comm-Fit.
Targets Still Need Delivery
The report does not give effective dates for the appointments or additional details about compensation, reporting structures or the executives’ specific performance targets. It also does not identify the UAE launch date or location for RockSalt, nor does it say when the studios in its pipeline are expected to open beyond the five planned for the first quarter of 2027.
RockSalt’s 33-studio figure is described as commitments from five development groups over four years; the report does not specify how many have leases, permits or construction underway. IMG Academy’s announcement gives Santarpia’s responsibilities but does not outline online-business targets. The roundup reports company ambitions, including 4Ever Young’s goal of 100 open locations, without detailing a timetable for reaching it.
Openings and Integration Ahead
RockSalt’s stated near-term milestones are the four studios under construction and five additional locations planned for the first quarter of 2027, alongside its intended UAE entry. The company will also need to convert development commitments into operating studios for those plans to translate into a larger active network.
At IMG Academy, Milliron and Santarpia will take responsibility for the campus and online portfolios, respectively. The company has not announced further milestones or targets for either division. Core Health & Fitness’ leaders are tasked with growth and acquisition integration, while 4Ever Young’s development team will pursue franchise recruitment. Further openings, integration updates and company announcements will show how those priorities progress.
Key Questions
What role did RockSalt Pilates give Stephanie Knepp?
RockSalt named Knepp chief operating officer. She will oversee operational standards, franchisee support, training and studio openings.
Who will lead IMG Academy’s campus and online businesses?
Mike Milliron was promoted to president of IMG Academy Campus. Fred Santarpia was appointed president of IMG Academy Online, including responsibility for IMG Academy+, NCSA and SportsRecruits.
How many RockSalt studios are operating?
Athletech News reported that RockSalt has eight operating studios, with four under construction and five more planned for the first quarter of 2027.
What other executive changes were reported?
Solv Wellness named Dr. Christine Vaccaro its first chief medical officer; 4Ever Young appointed Tony Nicholson vice president of development; and Core Health & Fitness named Joey Osborne president and James Drake chief strategy and development officer.
Source: athletechnews.com
