Recent Capital Transactions in the Sport and Active Lifestyle Industry

Tuesday September 16, 2014
7-9am
Marriott Del Mar

Event Overview:

In conjunction with SD Sport Innovators, ACG San Diego will host a panel of leading sports and active lifestyle companies discussing the vibrant and active industry that calls San Diego and Southern California home. The panel will include Beaver Theodosakis, Co-Founder and former CEO of yoga apparel company prAna Living, which recently sold to Columbia Sportswear for 190 million. Beaver will be joined by John Sarkisian, Co-founder, Vice-Chairman and former CEO of SKLZ, the athletic performance and skill development products company that received a large private equity investment in 2013, and other sports company executives and industry insiders. The panelists will share their transaction experiences, share insight into what makes a transaction successful as well as pitfalls to avoid.

Speakers:

Beaver Theodasakis, Co-Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of prAna Living
Beaver and his wife Pam founded prAna in 1993 when the couple began sewing yoga clothing in
their garage in Carlsbad using organic cotton, natural fibers and recycled materials to deliver
high-quality, technical and stylish apparel. Today, prAna has grown to more than 110 employees.
The company has retained its original reuse-and-recycle ethos despite its success and large scale
by using recycled polyester, low-chemical textiles and environmentally friendly fibers. prAna
employees are youthful and full of passion that is reflected in the company’s product lines.


John Sarkisian, Co-Founder, Vice-Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer of SKLZ
John Sarkisian founded SKLZ in 2001, and he now serves as the company’s Vice- Chairman. In his role as CEO for more than 13 years, John was responsible for strategic direction, financial performance, brand growth, company culture and the adherence to the mission and values. He was also focused on team member growth and well-being. John’s entrepreneurial spirit was originally built through his career in real estate and restaurant development. John formerly led Pat and Oscar’s restaurants, a chain of 14 restaurants in Southern California and Arizona that was sold to Sizzler International in 2000, as well as Semtek Innovative Solutions, a company providing credit card security technologies. John is also currently the founding investor and Chairman of the Board of BrightScope. John graduated from the University of Michigan where he received a bachelor’s degree in economics, and then attended San Diego State University’s MBA program. John is the Vice Chair for the YMCA Board of Directors in San Diego County, Trustee of the San Diego Sports Commission and serves on the Board of Directors of San Diego Sports Innovators.

Moderator:
Geoff Haydon, Vice President, Moss Adams Capital LLC
Geoff Haydon joined Moss Adams Capital LLC in 2006. As Vice President he specializes in raising equity and debt capital and advising on M&A transactions for active lifestyle and other branded consumer companies. Geoff's previous transactions include the sale of footwear brand Sanuk to Deckers Outdoor, the sale of apparel company RVCA to Billabong, and investments made by private equity firms in accessories brand Neff and climbing shoe brand Evolv. Prior to Moss Adams Capital, Geoff worked in the M&A group for JP Morgan in New York.


Sponsors:

Procopio
Northern Trust

REGISTRATION OPEN NOW

Registration Prices:

ACGSD Sponsors & Members with Meetings Included 0
ACGSD Members without Meetings Included 35
ACG Members of Other Chapters 35
Non-Members & Guests 65

Members of SDSI: Get the ACG Member Rate 35 with SDSI Promo Code (30 off 65)
(**When registering apply the SDSI Promo Code towards the end at the Payment screen, Not in the "Source Code" box in first screen--that remains blank)

 

Questions?

Contact Judy Susser-Travis, Executive Director, ACG San Diego @ acgsandiego@acg.org or call 619 741 7247.