Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Fitness Industry Veteran Chuck Leve to Leave IHRSA

BOSTON- August 12, 2008- The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) announced today the departure of Chuck Leve, Vice President of Business Development and fitness industry veteran, effective August 31, 2008. A 27-year IHRSA employee, Leve leaves to launch a new association, which will serve active, healthy lifestyle consumers.

“Chuck has been a tremendous asset to IHRSA,” said Joe Moore, IHRSA president and CEO. “He has been instrumental in growing IHRSA and being a trusted resource for our members. We will miss him, but we are excited for him and his new venture. He brings an entrepreneurial spirit and ability to identify growth opportunities to this new company and we wish him much success.”

“Chuck was IHRSA’s ‘go to’ guy from Day One,” said John McCarthy, IHRSA’s Former Executive Director. “Successively, he led membership sales, booth sales, ad sales, and sponsorship sales. In each area, he surpassed everyone’s expectations. Plus, he helped develop many of IHRSA’s current superstars, leaders such as Michele Eynon, Tom Hunt, and Lynne Fussteig.”

IHRSA’s strong personnel assure a smooth transition of Leve’s responsibilities, which consist primarily of working with key IHRSA associate member companies.

IHRSA veterans Fussteig (sponsorship and promotions), Hunt (exhibit sales), Eynon (advertising and associate membership), and Alison O’Kane (international development) are fully dedicated to the growth, protection and promotion of the industry. They, along with Hans Muench (IHRSA Europe) and John Holsinger (IHRSA Asia Pacific) will continue to work closely with the industry’s manufacturers and supplier companies to help them grow their businesses.

John Aglialoro, Chairman and CEO of Cybex International, a long time IHRSA associate member, commented, “Chuck Leve’s work with John McCarthy cemented the existence and future of an organization that has changed, is changing, and will continue to change for the better the lives of millions.”

“I’ve spent the last 27 years helping to build IHRSA and the fitness industry, and it has been a tremendously satisfying run,” said Leve. “I hope I’ve added value for all the people and companies with whom I’ve worked, and I know my customers will be in good hands with the tremendous IHRSA staff and will continue reaping the rewards IHRSA brings them. I’d also like to thank John McCarthy for his 25 years of leadership and inspiration, and Joe Moore for making this transition possible. The Consumer Fitness Association will provide benefits and services to healthy lifestyle consumers and will be complementary to IHRSA.”
Leve, 59, was IHRSA’s first employee in 1981, serving as its national sales director. Throughout the years, he held positions of increasing responsibility in sales and marketing, and sponsorship and promotions. Most recently, he was vice president of business development, working primarily with leading fitness manufacturers and suppliers. His decision to launch his Consumer Fitness Association starts another chapter in his long and successful fitness industry career, beginning with the U.S. Racquetball Association and National Court Clubs Association in the 1970s and continuing through IHRSA.

For further biographical information on Chuck Leve or images, please contact IHRSA PR at +1 617-951-0055 or pr@ihrsa.org
For further information regarding the Consumer Fitness Association please contact chuckleve@yahoo.com.

The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) is a not-for-profit trade association representing health and fitness facilities, gyms, spas, sports clubs, and suppliers worldwide. The association’s membership includes over 9,100 clubs in 75 countries, along with over 730 industry suppliers.

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