David Barton, who founded David Barton Gym in 1991, is no longer with the New York-based company. The company also announced a new president and the launch of new gyms.
In a press release today, the company said Barton had recently resigned his position. In a company email obtained by Club Industry, CEO Howard Brodsky announced last week that Barton "will no longer be with the company" and thanked him for his contributions.
David Barton Gym named Kevin Kavanaugh as its new president. Kavanaugh has been with the company for 14 years and previously served as executive vice president in charge of operations. He will report to Brodsky.
"I am extremely pleased to welcome Kevin to a position he has earned through his many years at David Barton Gym," Brodsky said in a statement. "There is no one who knows the company more thoroughly than Kevin, who is respected more by our staff, or who has a stronger commitment to our organization."
Brodsky, who previously was CEO of New York Health and Racquet Club before joining David Barton Gym in January, also said in the release that David Barton Gym is planning expansion into Philadelphia and Boston, along with expansion in core cities New York and Los Angeles. The company recently opened a gym in New York's West Village. No timetable was announced for the expansion plans. David Barton Gym also has locations in Chicago, Miami, Seattle and Las Vegas.
Kavanaugh had previously worked for a start-up direct marketing agency in the health care sector before joining the company in 1999 as a front-desk employee.
"I am excited to work with Howard and our 600 loyal employees nationwide on our next phase of growth," Kavanaugh said in a statement. "David Barton built a great foundation for a very special gym experience. We will continue our core values and mission to provide the most beautiful, uniquely designed gyms anywhere."
David Barton Gym filed for bankruptcy in 2011. Also that year, the company was sued by former instructors on the grounds of sexual harassment.
Meridian Sports Clubs LLC, North Hills, CA, which also goes by Bodies in Motion, owns and operates three David Barton Gyms, two in Los Angeles and one in Las Vegas. The rest of the gyms are owned by David Barton Gym. Brodsky is the CEO of both companies.