Indianapolis — Sam Sato will succeed Glenn Lyon as chief executive officer of The Finish Line, Inc., effective February 28, 2016. Lyon, who currently serves as CEO and chairman of the board, will serve as executive chairman of the board through the end of calendar year 2016. At the beginning of 2017, Lyon will transition to the role of non-executive chairman of the board.
“During the past few years, our board and management team have worked diligently together to prepare for this change in leadership,” says Lyon. “Our goal has been to ensure a seamless transition and I am honored to announce Sam’s elevated role.”
Sato started his executive retail career at Nordstrom in 1985 prior to joining Finish Line in March 2007 as executive vice president and chief merchandising officer. He was named president and chief merchandising officer in August 2010 and became president of the Finish Line Brand in October 2012. Most recently, in October 2014 Sato was named president of The Finish Line, Inc. and was elected to the company’s board. As CEO, he will report to the board.
The Finish Line, Inc. is a premium retailer of athletic shoes, apparel and accessories. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Finish Line has approximately 1,010 Finish Line branded locations primarily in U.S. malls and shops inside Macy’s department stores. For more information, visit www.finishline.com and www.macys.com.
Finish Line also operates the Running Specialty Group. This includes 73 specialty running stores in 16 states and the District of Columbia under the JackRabbit, The Running Company, Run On!, Blue Mile, Boulder Running Company, Roncker’s Running Spot, Running Fit, VA Runner, Capital RunWalk, Richmond RoadRunner, Garry Gribble’s Running Sports, Run Colorado, Raleigh Running Outfitters, Striders and Indiana Running Company banners. More information is available at www.jackrabbit.com or www.boulderrunningcompany.com.