RON SHIMEK
President
Ron Shimek, President of i9 Sports®, is a seasoned executive with more than 20 years of experience driving growth and operational excellence across multi-unit, service-based franchise organizations including Neighborly and Carlson Companies.
Ron earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from St. John’s University and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. He is known for his data-driven, people-first leadership style and his ability to build high-performing teams focused on sustainable growth. Ron lives in Minnesota with his wife and their four children.
JEREMY OLIVER
VP of Operations
Jeremy Oliver’s experience is rooted in leading operational success within global franchise systems. He previously led Operations for the Perspire Sauna Studio brand and held key franchise operations positions with F45 Training and Orange Theory Fitness.
Before entering the franchise world, Jeremy was a small business owner in Virginia, where he provided personal training and athletic development services to his community—a background that provides him with firsthand insight into the daily challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship
MADISON GATES
VP of Marketing
Madison Gates, Vice President of Marketing at i9 Sports, leads national marketing strategy, brand development, and growth. With a decade of experience in franchise and multi-unit marketing, Madison has built and scaled marketing organizations within the automotive, home services, and fitness industries.
Madison earned her BA in Sport Management and Communication from the University of Michigan, where she was a Division I soccer goalkeeper, and later completed her MBA. She began her career in athletics, coaching at the collegiate and youth club level. She is passionate about building teams and brands that create meaningful impact in the lives of kids and families.
SUSAN RABEL
VP of Purchasing & Contracts
Susan Rabel joined i9 Sports in 2010 and manages the centralized purchasing functions, which include vendor partnerships, sourcing strategies, contract negotiations, and merchandise/service offerings. Susan directs the annual Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) processes, Area Developer Agreements from creation to final execution, and network-wide compliance with brand standards.
As a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), Susan monitors/analyzes market trends and the costs of goods in an effort to make solid purchasing decisions and identify potential areas of savings for franchisees.
