| Type | Private, Federal/selective state regulated |
|---|---|
| Industry | Franchising |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Orange County, California |
| Key people | J. Todd Anderson, Owner Peter Barbaresi, CEO Loren Seagrave, Founder |
| Services | Sports Performance Training |
| Website | http://www.velocitysp.com/ |
Velocity Sports Performance is a performance training franchise that specializes in training athletes in every sport, at all ages and skill levels, providing the opportunity to improve speed, agility, mobility and flexibility, and energy systems, while reducing the risk of sports-related injuries. Clients range from 8 year olds to professional athletes.[1] Velocity is a national partner with Nike SPARQ, providing certified SPARQ ratings in Velocity centers and surrounding areas across the country.[2,3]
Velocity Sports Performance was founded by three individuals: David Walmsley, Richard Kissane and Loren Seagrave. Walmsley was experienced in starting franchises; Kissane was experienced with educational franchises (such as Sylvan Learning Centers), and Seagrave had coached several world class sprinters. Walmsley (CEO through 2006) and Kissane (president through 2005) are no longer with the company nor are they owners but Seagrave remains as an employee in the role of founder of the company.[4]
In 2006, John Woods, an Atlanta businessman and franchise owner of several Velocity Sports Performance franchises in the Southeast led a group that purchased [5] the company. Mark Scott, who was part of the buyout group, was appointed CEO to replace Walmsley. In October 2006, Troy Medley, a California businessman and regional developer of the franchise in Southern California was named CEO to replace Scott and Florida businessman James Bax, who was also part of the buyout team, was named board chairman.[4]
In 2007, the corporate and field support operations of the franchisor moved from Georgia to California. Several new investment groups injected capital into the franchisor, including a group represented by J. Todd Anderson, a Southern California businessman and attorney. In September 2008 Anderson bought out all remaining shareholders and now owns 100% of the Velocity shares.
On January 17, 2008, the company announced that Todd Anderson was replacing Troy Medley as CEO. In August 2009, Anderson appointed Peter Barbaresi as the new CEO. Anderson remains 100% shareholder of the franchisor.