Frank VAN DE VEN

Born in the Netherlands in 1959. Started professional career at Philips in 1983. Moved to General Electric Plastics HQ in 1986. Was the Commercial Director for High Five Health Promotion (corporate Health & Fitness programs) till 1995 – set up the High Five Franchise Formula for the commercial club market in 1993.

Started Life Fitness career in 1996 as the EMEA Marketing Director (responsible for Life Fitness Benelux, Life Fitness Export and be the liaison between Europe and the US). In 1997 Augie Nieto and Herman Rutgers promoted him to General Manager Life Fitness Benelux. In 2000 was asked to lead the conversion from the distributor in Spain to a Life Fitness Iberia subsidiary. In 2004 was promoted to Managing Director Life Fitness C-EMEA (Continental Europe, Middle East and Africa) – 8 subsidiaries and 32 distributors. In January 2008 was promoted to Vice President EMEA – 9 subsidiaries (including the UK) and 32 distributors. 

He was a columnist for two trade publications (3 years). He was also a presenter at several conventions (six times at the EFAA convention, OHRA convention, De Kooijman Group Convention); also a board member for AHOY from 2002 – 2005.