Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue IV, 2012 | Page 26

D OM I N A T O R S
“If you let yourself get stressed, you become a
less effective leader. So I take time to exercise, play with my
dogs, and stay in touch with those important to me.”
PERSONAL
Key accomplishments: Purchasing and transitioning 37 clubs.

What are you reading? The Steve Jobs bio.

Biggest mistake: Thinking it would be easy.

Do you have a favorite quote/advice? I have lots of them. I pull
them out depending on the need and timing.

How do you spend a typical day? We are still transitioning and optimizing these new clubs. So I spend time traveling, in the office, and on the
phone with vendors.
Work week: Monday through Sunday.
Favorite fun activities: Golf, traveling, hanging out with my dogs.
Exercise/workout: Four days a week, both cardio and resistance training.
Favorite tech toys: I prefer a good book, but I do like to read books on
my iPad.

Best advice you ever got: From a previous boss: “It’s not about research and education, it’s about having the ability to pull the trigger.”
Formative influences/events: Four years of education at the U.S. Air
Force Academy.
How do you balance life and work? You have to. One of the great
things about this business is that there is rarely a dire emergency that needs
immediate attention. Ultimately, if you let yourself get stressed, you become
a less effective leader. So I take time to exercise, play with my dogs, and stay
in touch with those important to me.

MANAGEMENT
Business philosophy: Work hard, but have fun.
Are you in the franchising, real estate, or customer service
business? Why? I prefer the franchise sector. Franchises are more successful for many reasons, brand recognition and franchise support being two of
the most important.
As an operator, what are the two most important things you
rely on from your franchisor? I need them to keep an eye on the future and help us plan strategy to deal with change and also to set the course
for change.
What gets you out of bed in the morning? My dogs.
What’s your passion in business? I enjoy creating new. I like to find
and develop new opportunities more than run existing ones. So my VP of
operations is spending his time optimizing our existing portfolio, while I am
trying to identify new locations.
Management method or style: I believe that you must pass responsibility to the lowest level that can handle it. So I have no problem delegating.
The military taught me that. Your employees will always surprise you with just
how good they can be if you give them the chance.
Greatest challenge: Melding personalities.

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Multi-Unit Franchisee Is s ue IV, 2012

How close are you to operations? I keep my eye on it, but my VP of
operations is all over it.
Have you changed your marketing strategy in response to
the economy? How? Not really. We believe we offer great value for the
money. It’s our job to demonstrate that value to our members. When we do
that successfully, they join and stay. You cannot put a price on your health.
How is social media affecting your business operations?
We take advantage of Facebook and Twitter. It works and will continue to
become more important. We find that the majority of folks find us on the
Internet these days.
Personality: Charmin