Competitor Group announces three new executives

Competitor Group, Inc.,the organization that puts on the Rock ‘n’ Roll race series has announced three new executives to fill vacant positions in the company.

David Abeles was named the new CEO of the company. He comes from a background in managing golf brands. He was formerly the executive vice president and general manager of TaylorMade-Adidas Golf Co. and before that was vice president of sales and marketing with Cobra Golf.

Abeles told the Wall Street Journal that the company has a plan to drastically increase the number of races they offer over the coming years. They currently offer 29 Rock ‘n’ Roll races and 13 other running, cycling and triathlon events. Most of the new races will be in the Rock ‘n’ Roll series.

Barrett Garrison, formerly CFO with NetSpend Co., a prepaid debit card provider, was named the company’s new CFO and Keith Kendrick was an in-house promotion to chief marketing officer.

“I couldn’t be more delighted that these talented executives are joining Competitor Group and will devote their talents to growing the finest media and event company in the world,” said the company’s chairman Paul Walsh.

Competitor Group recently announced a new Rock ‘n’ Roll race in Vancouver and have suggested they will be further expanding into the Canadian race market in the coming years.

Competitor group was bought by Calera Capital, a private-equity firm, at the end of 2012 and in the summer of 2013 announced they would be drastically reducing appearance fees and prize money for elite athletes at the Rock ‘n’ Roll races. The decision caused pushback from the running community and in December of 2013 former CEO Scott Dickey and CFO Steve Gintowt left the company.