Who We Are

  1. John R. Baudhuin, President and CEO

    John R. Baudhuin is the founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Dogg Athletics. Prior to founding Mad Dogg Athletics in 1994, Baudhuin worked as a certified public accountant for Los Angeles-based Duitch, Franklin & Company, where he provided a variety of consulting and strategic planning services. An active member of the Young Presidents Organization, Baudhuin received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his MBA from Loyola Marymount University.


  2. Cees van Toor, Managing Director Mad Dogg Athletics Europe

    An entrepreneur in heart and soul, Cees started his first company during his study of economics at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He sold this company when he was just 21 and founded his first health club, Fitline, the same year. In 1993, he opened Innovex Fitness, a distribution channel for fitness equipment for the Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) market. Innovex Fitness is the official distributor for all Star Trac equipment in the Benelux and since 2002, Cees has been the leading distributor for Star Trac in Europe. He currently owns four health clubs in the Netherlands. In 2004, he started working with John Baudhuin, focusing on Mad Dogg Athletics Europe. Today, it has evolved into a full-service office and warehouse for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with Cees overseeing two direct offices in the Netherlands and Italy.


  3. Rick Wallace, Chief Operating Officer

    Rick Wallace joins Mad Dogg Athletics after serving as Managing Partner at Oak Strategy Partners, a specialty advisory firm providing management services to mid-tier companies. He has extensive business experience that spans mergers and acquisitions, operations and business consulting, financial management, manufacturing, distribution, engineering, quality systems, and customer relations. His fitness industry experience includes a tenure as President and CEO of Icarian from 1991–2004, as well as a long cycling history dating back to the early 80’s when he competed as a top U.S. amateur. Wallace received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from California State University, Fresno.


  4. Michele McDonnell, VP of Operations

    A veteran with Mad Dogg Athletics, Michele McDonnell joined our team in November of 1998. As our Training Coordinator from 1998–2001, she worked extensively with our education department and Master Instructor team to streamline efficiencies and increase revenues. In 2001 she was promoted to Customer Service Manager and led our customer service team to a 98% satisfaction survey. As our Product Manager from 2005–2009, she was responsible for producing our annual clothing and accessories line, overseeing design, development and production. She was also instrumental in bringing our Sport and FIT home Spinner® bikes from manufacturing to market. Michele is currently our Vice President of Operations and manages all aspect of inventory control, warehousing and logistics for all our brands. She has a passion for fitness and enjoys running, weight lifting and, of course, Spinning classes. She is currently pursuing her MBA in Business Management from Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business.


  5. Bruce Hymanson, PT, President of Hymanson, Inc./Bodyblade

    Bruce Hymanson is the inventor of the Bodyblade® and the developer of the Bodyblade exercise training system. Holding two degrees, a BA in Physical Education and a BS in Physical Therapy, he is a veteran in the area of rehabilitation and physical training. In 1991, Bruce introduced Bodyblade training to rehabilitation, professional sports, personal training and most recently, group exercise. Today Bodyblade training courses are recognized and presented internationally.


  6. Brad Thorp, VP of Sales and Marketing

    Brad Thorp has been in the health and fitness industry for more than two decades and has served as a premiere Pilates consultant to the fitness market for the past 9 years. Prior to joining Mad Dogg Athletics, he served as Director of Commercial Sales Worldwide for Balanced Body Pilates where he implemented major product launches and consistently showed revenue and profitability growth in his areas of influence. Brad holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Campbell University in North Carolina.


  7. John Kipper, VP of Retail Operations

    John Kipper comes to Mad Dogg Athletics with extensive fitness industry experience. Before joining MDA, he served as Chief Operating Officer at BH North America where he and was responsible for day-to-day operations with direct leadership over engineering, quality, customer service, distribution, warehousing, marketing, and product management. Prior to BH he held management, marketing, business development, and customer service roles with Star Trac Fitness. John received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a M.B.A. from the University of California, Irvine. As an outdoor enthusiast, he has posted eight marathons and an Ironman triathlon to date.


  8. Nadiem Alawar, VP of International Sales and Business Development

    Nadiem Alawar is a fitness industry veteran with extensive international experience including expanding distribution channels, sales and marketing, and global business development. Prior to joining Madd Dogg Athletics, he held the position of International Sales Director at both TRX® and Balanced Body® and was responsible from increasing global brand awareness and developing international education. Nadiem received a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Sports Science and Business Administration from East Carolina University and currently resides in Rome, Italy.


  9. Dr. Kevin Steele, VP of Programs and Education

    Dr. Kevin Steele has been in the health and fitness industry for more than 20 years. He began his career with a private personal training business for celebrities and athletes while a faculty member in Physical Education and Sports Medicine at Pepperdine University. Prior to joining MDA, Kevin held a Principal position at Communications Consultant WBS, Inc., an integrated business solutions company that caters to the health and wellness industries. In addition, he has held executive positions at an array of leading fitness corporations including Lifetime Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness and Bally Total Fitness, and has been Chairman of numerous Medical and Scientific Advisory Boards. Kevin has also created fitness education platforms, personal training curriculums, corporate sales programs, participated in government relations/public policy initiatives for the fitness industry, and coordinated numerous sponsorships with professional sports teams and the U.S. Olympic Committee. Dr. Steele has his Ph.D. in exercise physiology with a subspecialty in nutrition, and his B.S. in sports medicine and physical education. He has participated in the RAAM cycling race across the United States, the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii three times, bike raced in Europe, and ran in numerous marathons.