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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 United Arab Emirates. IMG Academy promoted Mike Milliron to lead its campus business and hired Fred Santarpia to head its online operations. The report also lists appointments at Solv Wellness, 4Ever Young and Core Health & Fitness.
RockSalt Pilates has named Stephanie Knepp chief operating officer, while IMG Academy promoted Mike Milliron to president of its campus business and appointed Fred Santarpia to lead its online business, according to an Athletech News roundup of fitness and wellness industry appointments. The moves put new leaders in charge of franchise operations and two expanding business units; the roundup also reports appointments at Solv Wellness, 4Ever Young and Core Health & Fitness.
At RockSalt, Knepp will oversee operational standards, franchisee support, training and studio openings. She brings more than two decades of experience in fitness, wellness, operations and franchising. Her most recent role was CEO of Sit Still Kids Salon; she previously held franchise leadership positions at Zoom Room Franchising and WellBiz Brands. RockSalt is building its U.S. franchise footprint and preparing to enter the UAE.
IMG Academy’s appointments divide leadership between its Bradenton, Florida, campus operations and digital businesses. Milliron, who joined in 2011 and became campus chief operating officer in 2024, will oversee the boarding school, camps, events, team training, hotel and golf club. Santarpia joins from Endeavor Streaming and 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.
The roundup also says Solv Wellness appointed Dr. Christine Vaccaro as its first chief medical officer, with responsibility for menopause education and related resources. 4Ever Young named Tony Nicholson vice president of development as it works toward 100 open locations nationwide. Core Health & Fitness named Joey Osborne president and James Drake chief strategy and development officer, with responsibilities spanning business operations, growth and acquisition integration.
Leadership for Expansion Plans
The appointments place executives with operations, franchise and digital experience in roles tied to each company’s stated growth plans. For RockSalt, the COO role covers the systems and franchisee support needed as it adds studios and prepares for an international market. At IMG Academy, separate campus and online presidents give its physical and digital businesses dedicated leadership after campus investment and the global launch of IMG Academy+.
The other changes point to similar priorities: Solv is adding clinical leadership to its education work, 4Ever Young is strengthening franchise recruitment, and Core is assigning senior executives to growth and integration. These are company personnel decisions, not evidence that the expansion targets or business results have been achieved. The source provides plans and company-reported figures, but not independent verification of future openings or performance.
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Studio and Digital Growth Plans
RockSalt was founded by Adrian Ramirez in 2012 and combines Pilates with cardio, resistance training, weights and choreography. According to the report, the brand began franchising in 2024 and has eight operating studios, with 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 commitments are not the same as completed or open locations.
IMG Academy’s leadership changes follow a major campus expansion and the global launch of its online IMG Academy+ offering. The report says Milliron oversaw the largest capital expansion in the academy’s history and the introduction of four sports in 18 months while serving as COO. Santarpia’s previous roles include senior positions at Condé Nast, Moda Operandi and Vevo, as well as leadership at Endeavor Streaming.
The other companies have distinct growth agendas. Solv develops products and educational resources for women’s pelvic, urinary, vaginal and menopause health. 4Ever Young offers diagnostics, hormone optimization, aesthetics, weight management and personalized wellness plans. Core’s portfolio includes StairMaster, Star Trac, Nautilus, Schwinn, Wexer and Gym Rax; its appointments follow acquisitions of Aktiv Solutions and Comm-Fit.
“RockSalt blends Pilates with cardio, resistance training, weights and choreography.”
— Athletech News, describing RockSalt Pilates
Openings and Results Still Ahead
The source does not provide a publication date, individual company statements, or details about the terms of the appointments. RockSalt’s planned studios and development commitments remain future-facing figures: the roundup does not say whether timelines or locations have changed since publication. It also does not specify when the brand expects to enter the UAE.
For IMG Academy, the report gives no additional detail on Santarpia’s priorities, the timing of planned digital initiatives or how responsibilities will be divided across the online portfolio. It does not quantify the financial results of the campus expansion or IMG Academy+ launch. The reported Core division growth figure is not accompanied by a definition of volume, and the source provides no independent performance data for the companies.
Expansion Plans Under New Leaders
RockSalt’s next reported milestones are the completion of four studios under construction, the five studios planned for the first quarter of 2027 and progress toward its UAE entry. The company’s additional multi-unit development commitments may also lead to more openings over the next four years, though the roundup does not give a location-by-location schedule.
At IMG Academy, Milliron and Santarpia will take responsibility for the campus and digital businesses, respectively. The source does not announce specific deadlines or targets for either executive. Solv, 4Ever Young and Core are likewise expected to advance their stated education, franchise-development and growth agendas under the new leadership, but the roundup reports no subsequent milestones or results.
Key Questions
What leadership changes did RockSalt Pilates announce?
RockSalt named Stephanie Knepp COO. She will oversee operational standards, franchisee support, training and studio openings as the brand expands in the United States and prepares to enter the UAE.
Who will lead IMG Academy’s campus and online businesses?
Mike Milliron will lead IMG Academy Campus, while Fred Santarpia will lead IMG Academy Online, including IMG Academy+, NCSA and SportsRecruits.
What other executive appointments were reported?
The roundup says Solv Wellness appointed Dr. Christine Vaccaro as its first chief medical officer, 4Ever Young named Tony Nicholson vice president of development, and Core Health & Fitness appointed Joey Osborne president and James Drake chief strategy and development officer.
Are RockSalt’s planned studios already open?
No. The report distinguishes eight operating studios from four under construction and five planned for the first quarter of 2027. It also describes commitments for additional studios, which do not establish that those locations have opened.
What remains unknown about these moves?
The source does not give a publication date, appointment terms or detailed implementation schedules. It also does not report later progress on the expansion plans or provide independent data on the companies’ results.
Source: athletechnews.com
