The Finish Line Inc.’s Alan Cohen announced that he will retire as chairman and board member at the company’s 2010 annual shareholders meeting in July. The Indianapolis-based company has appointed ceo Glenn Lyon to succeed Cohen as the company's chairman.
Cohen is a co-founder of the company and served as chairman of the board, president and ceo from May 1982 until October 2003, when he stepped down from the presidency. In October 2008, he retired as ceo.
“It's been 34 years since I co-founded our first athletic specialty store, and I have had a wonderful experience building and growing this company,” says Cohen. “Under the guidance of the board, the company's management team and talented associates, led by Glenn Lyon, have done an outstanding job in helping to take The Finish Line to where it is today. As I take time to pursue my personal interests, I have great confidence that this team will help ensure the company's continued success.”
Cohen’s career in the athletic retail business began in 1976, as principal co-founder of Athletic Enterprises Inc. (one of the predecessor companies of The Finish Line, which operated franchised Athlete's Foot stores in Indiana).
Lyon has 37 years of sales and merchandising experience in the retail industry. He joined The Finish Line in 2001 as executive vp and chief merchandising officer and later served as president. His career also includes serving as president/ceo of Paul Harris Stores; president and general merchandising manager of Modern Woman Stores; and with TJX Co. as senior vp and executive vp, merchandising and marketing.
The athletic footwear and specialty retailer operates 667 Finish Line stores in 47 states.