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RockSalt Pilates named Stephanie Knepp chief operating officer as it grows its U.S. franchise network and prepares to enter the UAE. IMG Academy promoted Mike Milliron to campus president and appointed Fred Santarpia to lead its online business. The moves are part of a wider set of executive changes across fitness and wellness companies reported by Athletech News.
RockSalt Pilates has named Stephanie Knepp chief operating officer as the boutique fitness brand expands its U.S. franchise footprint and prepares to enter the United Arab Emirates, while IMG Academy has changed leadership across its campus and online businesses. The appointments, reported by Athletech News in a weekly roundup, put experienced operators in roles tied to franchise execution, campus operations and digital growth.
Knepp brings more than two decades of experience across fitness, wellness, operations and franchising. She most recently was chief executive of Sit Still Kids Salon and previously held franchise leadership positions at Zoom Room Franchising and WellBiz Brands. At RockSalt, she will oversee operational standards, franchisee support, training and studio openings.
RockSalt, founded by Adrian Ramirez in 2012, combines Pilates with cardio, resistance training, weights and choreography. The company began franchising in 2024. It reports eight operating studios, four under construction and five more planned for the first quarter of 2027. It also reports commitments from five multi-unit development groups for 33 additional studios over four years; those are commitments, not operating locations.
At IMG Academy, Mike Milliron was promoted to president of IMG Academy Campus, and Fred Santarpia was appointed president of IMG Academy Online. Milliron joined the organization in 2011 and became campus chief operating officer in 2024. He will oversee its Bradenton, Florida, businesses, including the boarding school, camps, events, team training, hotel and golf club. Santarpia joins from Endeavor Streaming and will lead digital businesses including IMG Academy+, NCSA and SportsRecruits. He succeeds Chris Ciaccio, who will focus on campus commercial operations and organization-wide brand and commercial initiatives.
The same roundup reported other leadership changes. Solv Wellness appointed Dr. Christine Vaccaro as its first chief medical officer to guide menopause education and resource development. 4Ever Young named Tony Nicholson vice president of development as it works toward a stated goal of 100 open locations nationwide. Commercial fitness equipment company Core Health & Fitness named Joey Osborne president and James Drake chief strategy and development officer, with responsibilities spanning operations, growth and acquisition integration.
Leadership for Expansion and Operations
These appointments place senior executives in roles connected to growth plans that require operational coordination. For RockSalt, adding a COO comes as it develops studios through franchisees and prepares for an international market entry. Knepp’s remit covers the systems franchise locations rely on, including training and support. The company’s announced pipeline indicates planned growth, but its commitments should not be confused with completed openings.
IMG Academy’s division of leadership between campus and online operations reflects the range of its business. Milliron’s portfolio covers a large physical campus and its programs, while Santarpia will oversee digital offerings. That structure gives each executive a defined area of responsibility following the campus expansion and the global launch of IMG Academy+. The report does not provide financial results or targets tied to the appointments, so their commercial effects cannot yet be measured.
The other moves point to similar priorities across the sector: franchise development, clinical education and acquisition integration. They are personnel announcements rather than evidence that expansion targets have been met or that a new strategy has produced results.
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Franchise and Digital Growth Plans
RockSalt was founded in 2012 and began franchising in 2024. Its reported studio count distinguishes current operations from construction and future plans: eight studios are operating, four are being built, and five are planned for early 2027. The separate commitment for 33 studios over four years comes from five multi-unit development groups, according to the source report. The UAE entry is described as upcoming, with no opening date supplied.
IMG Academy’s appointments follow what the report describes as a major campus expansion and the global launch of IMG Academy+. Milliron oversaw the organization’s largest capital expansion to date while serving as campus COO, as well as the introduction of four sports over 18 months. Santarpia’s previous roles include senior positions at Condé Nast, Moda Operandi and Vevo. The leadership changes separate campus oversight from the academy’s online businesses.
Across the roundup, the companies have different business models, but each appointment is linked to a defined organizational need. Solv Wellness is adding clinical leadership for women’s health education; 4Ever Young is focusing on franchise recruitment; and Core Health & Fitness is assigning executives to operations and strategic development after acquiring Aktiv Solutions and Texas-based Comm-Fit.
Opening Dates and Results Await Detail
The report does not give specific start dates for the appointments or a date for RockSalt’s UAE entry. It also does not identify the UAE location, describe the terms of the development commitments, or say how many of the planned studios have secured sites or permits. The 33 additional RockSalt studios are commitments for future development, not confirmed openings.
IMG Academy’s announcement, as summarized by Athletech News, does not set measurable targets for the online business or explain how the division of responsibilities will affect revenue or enrollment. The source also does not provide details on Santarpia’s transition into the role or on the timing of Ciaccio’s shift in focus. For the other companies, the roundup gives leadership responsibilities and some stated goals but no new performance data showing results from the appointments.
Execution Will Test Expansion Plans
The next visible milestones are the RockSalt studios under construction, its five locations planned for the first quarter of 2027 and any confirmed steps toward its UAE entry. Future company announcements or opening updates may clarify whether the development commitments turn into operating sites and on what schedule.
At IMG Academy, Milliron and Santarpia will take responsibility for their respective campus and digital portfolios. The source report identifies their remits but does not announce a new timetable or performance target. Updates on campus operations, IMG Academy+ and the other online businesses would show how the new structure is being implemented. Further details on the Solv Wellness, 4Ever Young and Core Health & Fitness appointments may likewise clarify progress against their stated responsibilities and expansion plans.
Key Questions
Who is RockSalt Pilates’ new COO?
Stephanie Knepp was named chief operating officer. Her responsibilities include operational standards, franchisee support, training and studio openings.
How many RockSalt studios are operating?
The report says RockSalt has eight operating studios, with four under construction and five more planned for the first quarter of 2027. These figures describe different stages of development.
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 and will lead digital businesses including IMG Academy+, NCSA and SportsRecruits.
What other executive appointments were reported?
The roundup also reported Solv Wellness’ appointment of Dr. Christine Vaccaro as its first chief medical officer, 4Ever Young’s naming of Tony Nicholson as vice president of development, and Core Health & Fitness’ appointments of Joey Osborne as president and James Drake as chief strategy and development officer.
Source: athletechnews.com
