Meet the i9 Sports® Leadership Team

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.

Ron Shimek

President

Laura Butcaris

VP of Franchise Success

Brandy was a vital part of our marketing department from 2008 to 2013 and returned as VP of Marketing in 2022 to lead i9 Sports® marketing initiatives. Brandy brings over 15 years of franchise experience creating marketing strategies that drive aggressive growth, increase brand awareness, and grow customer retention and engagement.

Brandy brings a depth of knowledge in developing and executing strategies at both the national and local level. With a focus on developing customer-centric marketing capabilities, she has a proven record of developing relationships, increasing loyalty and elevating business outcomes.

Matt Kurowski serves as President of i9 Sports®, a position that calls on his years of experience in marketing, operations and franchising. Prior to joining i9 Sports® in 2023, Matt served as VP of Operations at Franworth, where he provided consultation and hands-on support to drive growth at various franchise brands in the fitness and home services industries.

As a lifelong believer in the benefits of youth enrichment, Matt spent 5 years with Soccer Shots as VP of Marketing and Chief Operating Officer. In his early career, Matt worked with several national marketing agencies, and worked at Under Armour as a Senior Brand Manager for multiple categories.

Madison Gates

VP of Marketing

Susan Rabel

VP Purchasing & Contracts

Susan joined i9 Sports® in 2010 and manages the centralized purchasing functions which include vendor partnerships, sourcing strategies, contract negotiations and merchandise/service offerings. Susan’s additional responsibilities include directing 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.

Madison Gates is the Vice President of Marketing at i9 Sports, where she leads national marketing strategy, brand development, and growth. She focuses on modernizing how i9 connects with families while reinforcing a fun-first experience that builds confidence, character, and lifelong skills.

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.

Madison Gates

VP of Marketing

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