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RockSalt Pilates named 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 president of its campus business and appointed Fred Santarpia to lead its online business. The moves are part of a broader set of leadership changes across fitness and wellness companies reported by Athletech News.
RockSalt Pilates has named Stephanie Knepp chief operating officer, while IMG Academy promoted Mike Milliron to campus president and appointed Fred Santarpia to lead its online business, according to Athletech News. The appointments put new executives in charge of RockSalt’s franchise operations and IMG’s campus and digital businesses as both organizations expand.
Knepp brings more than 20 years of experience in fitness, wellness, operations and franchising, Athletech News reported. She most recently was CEO of Sit Still Kids Salon and previously held franchise leadership roles at Zoom Room Franchising and WellBiz Brands. At RockSalt, she is expected to oversee operational standards, franchisee support, training and studio openings.
RockSalt was founded by Adrian Ramirez in 2012 and began franchising in 2024. The company reports eight operating studios, four under construction and five more planned for the first quarter of 2027. It also says five multi-unit development groups have committed to 33 additional studios over the next four years. The brand is preparing to enter the United Arab Emirates, though the report does not give a launch date.
At IMG Academy, Milliron will oversee the Bradenton, Florida, campus businesses, including the boarding school, camps, events, team training, hotel and golf club. He joined the organization in 2011 and became campus chief operating officer in 2024. Santarpia, formerly president of Endeavor Streaming, 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.
Leadership for Growth and New Services
The appointments place executives with franchise, operations and digital-business experience in roles connected to expansion and execution. For RockSalt, opening new studios and supporting franchisees will test whether its operating systems can keep pace with planned growth. Knepp’s remit covers those systems as well as training and studio launches.
IMG Academy’s structure separates leadership of its physical campus businesses from its online portfolio. Milliron’s role covers a broad set of on-site operations, while Santarpia will oversee digital businesses that include the academy’s online offering and recruitment platforms. That division gives each president a defined area of responsibility as the organization operates across campus and online services.
The broader roundup also points to continued executive hiring across the fitness and wellness sector. Solv Wellness named its first chief medical officer, Dr. Christine Vaccaro, to guide menopause education and clinical resources. 4Ever Young named Tony Nicholson vice president of development as it works toward 100 open locations. Core Health & Fitness appointed Joey Osborne president and James Drake chief strategy and development officer amid global-growth efforts and acquisition integration. These are company-reported plans and roles, not evidence that stated expansion targets have already been met.
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A Roundup Across Fitness Businesses
Athletech News describes its executive-moves item as a weekly roundup of personnel changes in the industry. The report groups the RockSalt and IMG appointments with changes at Solv Wellness, 4Ever Young and Core Health & Fitness, rather than presenting them as a single coordinated announcement.
The companies operate in distinct parts of the market. RockSalt combines Pilates with cardio, resistance training, weights and choreography. Solv Wellness develops products and educational resources related to pelvic, urinary, vaginal and menopause health. 4Ever Young offers diagnostics, hormone optimization, aesthetics, weight management and personalized wellness plans. Core Health & Fitness supplies commercial fitness equipment and owns brands including StairMaster, Star Trac, Nautilus and Schwinn.
For IMG Academy, the personnel changes follow a major campus expansion and the global launch of IMG Academy+, according to the report. Milliron oversaw the academy’s largest capital expansion while serving as COO, as well as the introduction of four sports in 18 months. Santarpia brings experience from Endeavor Streaming and previous senior positions at Condé Nast, Moda Operandi and Vevo.
“RockSalt Pilates has named Stephanie Knepp chief operating officer as the boutique fitness brand builds its U.S. franchise footprint and prepares to enter the United Arab Emirates.”
— Athletech News
Expansion Dates and Targets
The report does not specify when Knepp, Milliron or Santarpia take up their new roles, or provide further detail on how their responsibilities will be measured. RockSalt’s planned five studio openings for the first quarter of 2027 and its 33 additional studios are company-reported plans and commitments; the report does not identify the locations or opening schedules for those projects.
The UAE entry is also described without a launch date or operating details. For IMG Academy, the report does not provide financial targets, staffing changes or further information about the relationship between the campus and online businesses under the new structure. No independent verification of the companies’ expansion figures or performance claims is included in the source material.
Planned Openings and New Leadership
RockSalt’s next reported milestones include completing studios already under construction, pursuing five openings planned for the first quarter of 2027 and moving toward its committed multi-unit development pipeline. The company has not announced a date for its UAE entry. Its execution under Knepp will be reflected in franchisee support, training and the pace of studio openings, though no specific performance measures were reported.
At IMG Academy, Milliron and Santarpia will take responsibility for the campus and online portfolios described in the announcement. The source does not identify a subsequent launch or reporting date for either business. Further details on operational priorities, expansion schedules or results may clarify how the organization intends to develop its campus and digital services under the revised leadership.
The other companies’ stated plans also remain ahead of their outcomes: 4Ever Young is pursuing a 100-location goal and has announced planned New Jersey and New York-area developments, while Core Health & Fitness is working on growth and integration following acquisitions. The roundup provides no deadlines for those longer-term objectives.
Key Questions
Who is RockSalt Pilates’ new chief operating officer?
Stephanie Knepp was named COO. Her responsibilities include operational standards, franchisee support, training and studio openings, according to Athletech News.
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, overseeing IMG Academy+, NCSA and SportsRecruits.
How many RockSalt studios are operating or planned?
The company reports eight operating studios, four under construction and five planned for the first quarter of 2027. It also reports commitments from five development groups for 33 more studios over four years; those are plans and commitments, not completed openings.
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. Core Health & Fitness named Joey Osborne president and James Drake chief strategy and development officer.
Source: athletechnews.com
