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RockSalt Pilates appointed Stephanie Knepp chief operating officer as it grows its U.S. franchise network and prepares to enter the UAE. IMG Academy promoted Mike Milliron to lead its campus business and named Fred Santarpia president of its online business after a major campus expansion and the launch of IMG Academy+.
RockSalt Pilates named Stephanie Knepp chief operating officer as the boutique fitness company expands its U.S. franchise footprint and prepares to enter the United Arab Emirates, while IMG Academy promoted Mike Milliron to president of its campus business and appointed Fred Santarpia to lead its online business. The appointments place experienced operators in charge of two businesses pursuing growth across physical locations and digital services.
Knepp brings more than two decades of experience in fitness, wellness, operations and franchising. She most recently served as CEO of Sit Still Kids Salon and previously held franchise leadership roles at Zoom Room Franchising and WellBiz Brands. At RockSalt, she will oversee operational standards, franchisee support, training and studio openings.
RockSalt was founded by Adrian Ramirez in 2012 and combines Pilates with cardio, resistance training, weights and choreography. The company began franchising in 2024. It reports eight operating studios, four under construction and five more planned for the first quarter of 2027. RockSalt also says five multi-unit development groups have committed to developing 33 additional studios over four years.
At IMG Academy, Milliron will oversee the Bradenton, Florida, campus businesses, including the boarding school, camps, events, team training, hotel and golf club. He joined the organization in 2011 and became campus chief operating officer in 2024. The academy said he oversaw its largest capital expansion and the addition of four sports in 18 months while serving as COO.
Santarpia joins IMG from Endeavor Streaming, where he was president and led global expansion strategy. He will lead digital businesses including IMG Academy+, NCSA and SportsRecruits. He succeeds Chris Ciaccio, who led the online business while also serving as chief commercial officer. Ciaccio, a 29-year IMG Academy veteran, will focus on campus commercial operations and brand and commercial initiatives across the organization.
Leadership for Campus and Franchise Growth
The appointments put leaders with franchise, operational and digital experience in roles tied to expansion and execution. For RockSalt, that means supporting franchisees and opening studios as the company moves from a small operating base toward a larger development pipeline. Its announced commitments and construction plans indicate intended growth, but do not establish when every site will open or whether all planned locations will proceed.
IMG Academy has divided top-level responsibility between its campus operations and online businesses. That structure gives Milliron a defined remit across the Bradenton campus and Santarpia responsibility for digital offerings and related organizations. The changes come after substantial campus investment and the launch of IMG Academy+, but the source report does not provide revenue figures, enrollment targets or financial projections tied to either appointment.
For readers following the fitness and sports-training industries, the moves show companies assigning leadership as they develop different channels: franchised studios for RockSalt and a combination of campus programs and online services at IMG Academy. The announcements describe management responsibilities and growth plans, not evidence that those plans have already delivered results.
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Recent Expansion Plans Behind the Moves
RockSalt started franchising in 2024 after operating as a Pilates and fitness brand founded in 2012. Its reported eight open studios, sites under construction and future plans give Knepp an operational brief that spans both current franchise support and planned openings. The company also says it is preparing to enter the UAE; the report does not identify an opening date or a specific location there.
IMG Academy’s leadership changes follow what the organization described as a major campus expansion and the global launch of IMG Academy+. Milliron’s promotion formalizes his oversight of the campus businesses after his work as COO. Santarpia’s appointment places the academy’s online services under a dedicated president, while Ciaccio shifts to campus commercial operations and broader brand and commercial work.
The same executive roundup also reported leadership changes at Solv Wellness, 4Ever Young and Core Health & Fitness. Those separate appointments are part of a wider set of personnel moves across fitness and wellness businesses, but the RockSalt and IMG Academy changes are the focus here.
“The brand has eight operating studios, with four under construction and another five planned for the first quarter of 2027.”
— RockSalt Pilates, as reported by Athletech News
Opening Dates and Growth Targets
The report does not give a date for Knepp’s appointment, the UAE entry or the planned openings in 2027. It also does not specify the locations of RockSalt’s four sites under construction or provide details about the five development groups beyond their reported commitment to 33 studios. Those commitments should not be treated as completed openings.
For IMG Academy, the report does not state whether Santarpia’s appointment changes the online business’s strategy, targets or staffing. It also gives no performance measures for IMG Academy+ or the other digital businesses. The scope of the campus expansion and the financial or enrollment effects of the leadership changes remain unreported.
Studio Openings and Online Priorities
RockSalt’s next visible milestones are the sites listed as under construction and the five openings it plans for the first quarter of 2027. The company has also said it is preparing to enter the UAE, but has not supplied a timetable in the source report. Knepp’s remit includes the operational work needed to support those plans, though no specific opening schedule beyond the reported plans was provided.
At IMG Academy, Milliron will oversee the campus portfolio and Santarpia will lead IMG Academy+, NCSA and SportsRecruits. The report does not announce additional milestones or targets for either leader. Further updates on campus operations, digital services and any changes to expansion plans would clarify how the new structure is being put into practice.
Key Questions
Who is RockSalt Pilates’ new COO?
Stephanie Knepp was named chief operating officer. She has more than two decades of experience in fitness, wellness, operations and franchising, according to the report.
How many RockSalt studios are operating?
RockSalt reports eight operating studios, with four under construction and five more planned for the first quarter of 2027. Those future openings are plans, not confirmed completed locations.
Who will lead IMG Academy’s campus and online businesses?
Mike Milliron was promoted to president of IMG Academy Campus. Fred Santarpia was appointed president of IMG Academy Online and will oversee IMG Academy+, NCSA and SportsRecruits.
What role will Chris Ciaccio have at IMG Academy?
Ciaccio, who previously led the online business while serving as chief commercial officer, will focus on campus commercial operations and brand and commercial initiatives across the organization.
Source: athletechnews.com
