Executive Management

Luke Armstrong has served as F45’s Chief Revenue Officer since January 2019 and is responsible for driving revenue growth and aligning franchise sales with marketing, customer support and franchise performance teams. From November 2013 until assuming his position as F45’s Chief Revenue Officer, Mr. Armstrong served as Global Head of Franchise Sales. Mr. Armstrong earned a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney in 2003. He then started his career with UBS Investment Bank, where he was stationed in London (2004), Zurich (2006), Singapore (2010) and New York (2011). From August 2006 to March 2010, Mr. Armstrong was responsible for managing the bank’s Global Spot Foreign Exchange Trading business before relocating to New York, where he helped establish UBS’s Foreign Exchange Algorithmic Trading Desk. Upon his subsequent return to Australia, Mr. Armstrong was part of the inaugural F45 Training community in Paddington, Sydney. When he joined F45 Co-Founders Rob Deutsch and Adam Gilchrist in their quest to franchise their concept in November 2013, Mr. Armstrong was instrumental in building out the Australian franchise network before turning his focus to F45’s international expansion in 2016, specifically focusing on Asia, the United Kingdom and Europe. In addition to his role as F45’s Chief Revenue Officer, Mr. Armstrong has also been an F45 franchisee since 2015.

Elliot Capner joined the Company in July 2016 as our General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the general operations and legal affairs of the Company. In September 2019, Mr. Capner was appointed our Chief Commercial Officer and is responsible for implementing the Company’s commercial strategy and driving additional revenue lines for the Company and its franchisees. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Capner spent nine years working as an attorney at law firms in Sydney, Australia. From October 2013 to June 2016, Mr. Capner was a senior attorney with Watson Mangioni, where he specialized in complex commercial transactions, sports and franchising law. From September 2011 to August 2013, Mr. Capner was an associate with Dibbs Barker, where he specialized in financing transactions, consumer credit law and banking law. From August 2007 to July 2011, Mr. Capner was an associate with Marsdens Law Group, where he specialized in corporate and commercial law. Mr. Capner received his Master’s in Corporate and Commercial Laws from the University of New South Wales, as well as a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Wollongong. A member of the Law Society of New South Wales, Australia, Mr. Capner holds a current practicing certificate.

Mr. Dowd has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since March 2023. Prior to joining F45, Mr. Dowd served as Chief Executive Officer of the lifestyle nutrition brand, Performance Inspired Nutrition, a company that he co-founded and led alongside Mark Wahlberg. Mr. Dowd served in this role at Performance Inspired Nutrition from January 2016 to March 2023. Mr. Dowd has also worked as an independent consultant and investor since 2014, focusing on the wellness and consumer goods industries. Over the last twelve years, Mr. Dowd has partnered with Mr. Wahlberg in various ventures as Manager of MW/TD Inspired, an investment group they co-founded, including Performance Inspired Nutrition, Wahlburgers, and F45. Prior to his work as a consultant, entrepreneur, and investor, Mr. Dowd spent 25 years at GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC) from March 1989 to September 2014, ending as Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, and General Manager. Mr. Dowd held various positions during his time at GNC, including serving as Senior Vice President of Stores and Operations and assisting with GNC’s initial public offering in 2011. He has also served on the boards of Capstone Manufacturing, Healthy Natural Delights and Slim Fast.

Patrick Grosso has been our Chief Legal Officer since October 2019. He oversees all legal affairs for us. Mr. Grosso has over 20 years of legal experience, and he has advised on strategic efforts to grow national and global brands. From March 2018 to April 2019, Mr. Grosso served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Legal Officer for Upwell Health, LLC, a branded national pharmacy concept focused on helping individuals with chronic conditions. From 2016 until March 2018, he was self-employed as an attorney. From 2013 to 2016, Mr. Grosso served as Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Corporate Affairs and Chief Legal Officer for Skullcandy, Inc. (NASDAQ “SKUL”), a global consumer electronics brand sold in over 80 countries. From 2008 to 2012, Mr. Grosso served as Vice President and General Counsel for Tilly’s, Inc. (NYSE “TLYS”), a branded national clothing retailer. From 2001 to 2008, Mr. Grosso served in various leadership roles for national mortgage lenders. Mr. Grosso was also an associate with the international law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP and an attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Corporation Finance. Mr. Grosso holds a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Mr. Grosso is licensed to practice law in California, with inactive licenses in Texas and Washington, D.C. and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Brian is an experienced marketing executive with experience guiding MLB, NFL and NHL brands. Prior to coming to F45, Brian most recently was the Global CMO for Legends where he led all aspects of the company's marketing and brand vision. Prior to joining Legends, Brian was Chief Marketing Officer for the Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) where he oversaw the team’s marketing, strategy, branding, communications, content, digital, analytics, retail, concessions, fan development, broadcasting, community relations, youth hockey and new business ventures. Brian was part of the leadership team that launched the Golden Knights franchise, becoming one of the most successful expansion teams in sports history. He joined the Golden Knights after serving as Chief Marketing Officer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), where he oversaw all aspects of the Buccaneers brand, including marketing, advertising, content, digital, broadcasting, analytics, research, youth programs, community relations and events and entertainment. Before joining the Buccaneers, Brian was Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy for the St. Louis Rams (NFL). Earlier in his career, he spent 10 years with the Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) as the Senior Director of Marketing and Promotions. Brian graduated from Flagler College with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and earned his MBA, Marketing & Management degree from the University of South Florida.

Ryan Mayes has served as our Chief Strategy Officer since October 2021 and is responsible for overseeing corporate development and strategic initiatives. Prior to joining F45, Ryan spent 11 years at Goldman Sachs in the Investment Banking Division where he advised private and public companies in the consumer and retail industries on various strategic transactions such as M&A, IPOs and other financings. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Ohio State University.

Bob Madore has served as our interim Chief Financial Officer since February 2023. He brings to the Company a proven track record of financial leadership spanning an impressive and diverse 30-year career. Most recently, Mr. Madore served as Chief Financial Officer of Cronos Group, a global cannabinoid company, from August 2021 to November 2022. Prior to that, Mr. Madore served as Chief Financial Officer of MacAndrews & Forbes Incorporated, an operator of a diverse range of businesses, from January to March 2021. Mr. Madore has also served as Chief Financial Officer at American Eagle Outfitters Inc., Ralph Lauren Corporation, New York & Company, and FutureBrand, a division of McCann Erickson. Before that, he held various executive management positions at Nine West Group, Inc. Mr. Madore began his career at Deloitte & Touche LLP in audit services and also worked in the firm’s mergers and acquisitions practice. Mr. Madore received a Bachelor of Science from the Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven.

Mr. Wahlberg has served as our Chief Brand Officer since March 2023 and as a member of our board of directors since March 2019. He was appointed to our board of directors by MWIG LLC, a special purpose private investment vehicle he leads with FOD Capital. Mr. Wahlberg is a well-known actor, producer, investor and entrepreneur. He is a co-founder and manager of numerous businesses, including Wahlburgers, a restaurant chain that has expanded to 101 locations worldwide; Performance Inspired Nutrition, a sports supplement line; Municipal, a designer and retailer of sport utility gear; and Unrealistic Ideas LLC, a production company specializing in reality and non-scripted productions. Mr. Wahlberg is also a co-owner of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and RV dealerships that bear his name in Ohio. In addition, Mr. Wahlberg served on the board of directors of AQUAhydrate, Inc. from January 2011 to February 2019. A committed philanthropist, Mr. Wahlberg started the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation in 2001 to benefit inner-city children and teens.