Provo-based Sky Zone, an owner, operator and franchisor of more than 270 indoor activity and trampoline parks, has named Shawn Hassel its new CEO.
Under Hassel’s leadership plan, Sky Zone will accelerate franchise development and amplify its support of the franchise network, with expected totals of nearly 300 parks by the end of 2024, the company said. The company expects to enhance its technology, training and talent enrichment initiatives under Hassel.
“I am deeply honored to continue serving Sky Zone,” said Hassel. “It’s a well-loved brand that genuinely believes our nation’s young people need to ‘Play Every Day’ in a time where screens and technology dominate their environment. Sky Zone is operating from a position of strength, and I cannot think of a more enviable time to be a part of the company’s continued future success. I look forward to partnering with our talented teams and franchisees to bring the power of play to many more communities in the coming years.”
Hassel brings deep domain experience in executive leadership, operational excellence, private equity investing, long-term capital appreciation and driving organizations to realize their full potential, said Grant Lyon, chairman of the Sky Zone board. Hassel joined Sky Zone in January 2023 as the chief financial officer and took over as the acting CEO in September 2023. He is also the co-founder and managing partner of Areté Capital Partners, an advisory and capital firm providing independent fiduciary and interim C-suite services to companies in various industries and specialties. Prior to his role at Areté Capital Partners, Hassel was co-founder and managing partner at Bestige Partners, where he established a private-equity investment platform with a focus on long-term capital appreciation. Preceding these ventures, Hassel accumulated 14 years of experience at Alvarez & Marsal and spent an additional seven years with Arthur Andersen in its corporate finance group.
“Our board is thrilled to welcome Shawn Hassel into the CEO role to build on Sky Zone’s track record of success and chart the company’s next stages of growth,” said Lyon. “Shawn is an exceptional executive with proven leadership experience, and we know the company will benefit from his strong bias to action and tangible value creation in our rapid-evolving industry.”