Special Olympics Board Taps Finish Line Chief
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowSpecial Olympics International has added Indianapolis-based The Finish Line Inc. (Nasdaq: FINL) Chief Executive Officer Glenn Lyon to its board of directors. The company and the Finish Line Youth Foundation are partners with the organization and have raised more than $3.5 million for the cause since 2012. July 2, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Finish Line, Inc. (NASDAQ: FINL) announced today that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Glenn S. Lyon has joined the Special Olympics International Board of Directors. He will begin his term on January 1, 2015, joining Harvard Law School Professor William 'Bill' Alford who was re-elected and Peter Mazunda, Managing Director for Xtra Solutions Communications Group, who also joins the Board as the Africa representative to the International Advisory Committee.
“From high fives to hugs, my interaction with Special Olympics athletes always inspires me. I value the compassion, drive and commitment of Special Olympics and all that it is accomplishing,” said Lyon. “I just learned, for example, about a Finish Line associate who this past weekend at a Special Olympics event gave his own shoes to an athlete in need. It's that passion that our team has at all levels that fuels me to devote time and energy to Special Olympics International.”
In April of 2012, Finish Line announced in partnership with its Finish Line Youth Foundation a multi-year pledge to support Special Olympics as part of the retailer's ongoing mission to celebrate the everyday achievements of athletes everywhere. Finish Line associates across the country, from California to New Jersey, have provided support and volunteer participation at Special Olympics events in dozens of communities. Recently, for example, more than 200 associates from Finish Line's Indianapolis-based headquarters and surrounding stores spent a rewarding day of volunteering at the Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Since the partnership was announced, Finish Line has also held in-store fundraising campaigns. Including participation from valued customers, Finish Line has contributed more than $3.5 million to Special Olympics.
“It is an honor to be involved and I look forward to our team at Finish Line continuing to make a difference in the lives of others through our ongoing partnership with Special Olympics and now with my involvement on the board,” Lyon concluded.
About Glenn S. Lyon
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Finish Line
Glenn Lyon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Finish Line, has spent his entire professional career in the retail industry. Perennially listed among the top 30 in Footwear News’ Power 100 rankings, Glenn became CEO of Finish Line in 2008. In May 2010, he was also named Chairman of the Board.
Glenn joined Finish Line in 2001 as Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer and was later appointed President and Chief Merchandise Officer of the company before rising to the CEO post.
Prior to Finish Line, Glenn was President and CEO of women's apparel retailer Paul Harris Stores, Inc. From 1995 through 2000, he served as President and General Merchandising Manager of Modern Woman Stores, a division of the American Retail Group. Prior to Modern Woman, Glenn spent more than a decade as General Merchandise Manager for TJX and Ormond Stores, Inc.
He began his extensive career in retail in 1973 at Macy's N.Y. in the executive training program. After a decade with Macy's, Glenn was promoted to Vice President of Merchandising, launching him into the ranks of executive leadership in retail.
Glenn graduated from City College of New York with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Finance.
About The Finish Line, Inc.
The Finish Line, Inc. is a premium retailer of athletic shoes, apparel and accessories. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Finish Line has approximately 900 stores including more than 260 shops in Macy's in malls across the U.S. and employs more than 14,000 sneakerologists who help customers every day connect with their sport, their life and their style. Online shopping is available at www.finishline.com and www.macys.com. Mobile shopping is available at m.finishline.com. Follow Finish Line on Twitter at Twitter.com/FinishLine and “like” Finish Line on Facebook at Facebook.com/FinishLine.
Finish Line also operates the Running Specialty Group. This includes 58 specialty running shops in 12 states and the District of Columbia under The Running Company, Run On!, Blue Mile, Boulder Running Company, Roncker’s Running Spot, Running Fit and VA Runner banners. More information, including the particular states in which stores are located, is available at www.run.com.
About Special Olympics, International
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. Through sports, health and education programs, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance by empowering people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 4.4 million athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 33 Olympic-type sports and more than 81,000 games and competitions throughout the year. Special Olympics is supported by individuals, foundations and partners, including the Christmas Records Trust, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, The Coca-Cola Company, Lions Clubs International, Mattel, P&G, Essilor Vision Foundation, Finish Line, The Safeway Foundation, and Safilo Group. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: twitter@specialolympics, fb.com/specialolympics, youtube.com/specialolympicshq, instagram/specialolympics and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.
Source: The Finish Line Inc.