Media & Brand

Brent Richard’s vision as president of IMG Academy is to transform IMG Academy into the world’s most impactful education brand, with life-changing experiences, available to any student-athlete who believes in the power of sport as a platform for life. He is passionate about the value of holistic education through the lens of sport and improving and growing IMG Academy’s heartbeat boarding school experience, while simultaneously creating new student-athlete experiences online and internationally. Through its suite of connected sports education experiences, all under the powerful IMG Academy brand, all benefiting from IMG Academy’s half-century of expertise, IMG Academy is now helping families and student-athletes all around the world.

Since joining IMG Academy in 2020, Richard has built a world-class on-campus and online team, focused on executing this vision. IMG Academy has developed over recent years from a campus-only brand and experience serving 1,000 boarding school student-athletes, into a global brand with a suite of connected education experiences, ranging from boarding school, to camps, to online coaching and recruiting. Today, IMG Academy, with the help of digital scale, is serving over 150,000 student-athletes and 40,000 coaches each year, and its heartbeat boarding school in Bradenton stronger than ever, adding new sports, facilities and improving outcomes for its families.

In 2023, with a focus on ensuring that IMG Academy would be owned by a group that could bring significant expertise and value to IMG Academy families and student-athletes, Richard hand-selected Nord Anglia and EQT and led the sale of IMG Academy by Endeavor (NYSE: EDR) and subsequent transition and carve-out processes for IMG Academy.

Richard has also overseen the development of the IMG Academy Foundation, including $40M annually that IMG Academy is able to give-back via financial aid, discounted or free online coaching services, and community charity.

Before joining IMG Academy, Richard was the Chief Corporate Development Officer at Endeavor. In his role as Chief Corporate Development Officer, he led Endeavor’s strategy and investing activities, including 50+/$5 billion+ in capital transactions, including IMG, UFC and On Location Entertainment.

Prior to Endeavor, Richard co-founded and helped develop The Raine Group, now a leading sports and entertainment merchant bank with over 150 employees, a global advisory business and over $2 billion in investing capital under management.

Richard began his career at Goldman Sachs after attending Vanderbilt University, where he majored in Engineering and Economics and played for the men’s soccer team.

Richard has held board director or observer roles for organizations such as On Location Entertainment, Zumba Fitness, Nitro Circus, Reigning Champs, and non-profit Shorecrest Preparatory School.

Ciaccio joined IMG Academy in 1997 and for 26 years, he has been working on growing the business into the leading sports education brand it is today. As Chief Commercial Officer of IMG Academy, Ciaccio oversees sales, marketing, brand and exploring commercial opportunities domestically and globally for IMG Academy’s campus and digital operations.

While in his role he has led several significant initiatives, including moving the brand from a training facility with a collection of licensed names – including the likes of Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, David Leadbetter Golf Academy, and Madden Football Academy – into one of the world’s most important sports education brands today, IMG Academy.

With a passion for helping student-athletes achieve their personal goals through the lens of sport, Ciaccio led the efforts to grow the brand internationally, expanding IMG Academy’s presence and reach into Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Mexico City, Mexico; Beijing, and Shanghai, China and has plans to continue to grow it the future.

He has led the innovation of IMG Academy’s world class sports camps, which allow athletes an opportunity to develop a custom training experience. More recently, Ciaccio has helped expand IMG Academy’s state-of-the-art campus to unlock greater opportunities for female student-athletes, including the launch of Volleyball and Softball boarding school, and camp programs. Ciaccio has played a key role in the development of IMG Academy’s newest product IMG Academy+ which brings the elite coaching usually only available at the Academy to athletes everywhere through a digital platform and companion app.

Prior to working for IMG Academy, Caccio worked for the Olympic Games early in his career and the University of Georgia where he also received his undergraduate and master’s degree. Caccio was a college basketball and baseball athlete and routinely shares that playing sports shaped him into the leader, father and spouse he is today.

Ciaccio plays an active role in the Tampa Bay business community where he sits on several boards and has been recognized for his contributions for driving economic impact and business growth including being named to the 40 under 40 businesspeople and awarded the volunteer of the year award for the Tampa Bay Region by the Florida Economic Development Council.

He has two daughters, Brooke and Brynne, with his wife, Leigh and resides in St. Petersburg, FL.

Ben Hansen is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at IMG Academy. He is responsible for managing and optimizing the organization’s financial strategy, operations, and long-term fiscal health. With a track record of steering financial success across several industries, Hansen brings over two decades of experience in finance and operations leadership to the role.

Prior to joining IMG Academy, Hansen was the CFO of CPS from 2019 to 2024, where he played a key role in driving financial growth and organizational efficiency. His leadership extended beyond traditional financial duties, guiding the company's strategic initiatives and growth plans. Before CPS, Hansen served as both CFO and Chief Operating Officer at Avaap, where he was instrumental in overseeing not only the financial operations but also ensuring operational excellence, facilitating scalability, and managing cross-functional teams.

Hansen’s extensive experience includes more than a decade at Thermo Fisher Scientific, a global leader in scientific research services. He held a series of high-impact roles, including Vice President of Finance, Director of Finance, and Global Controller, and more, where he led critical financial initiatives and drove significant improvements in financial performance.

Hansen holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Franklin University and an MBA from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management.

Mike Lovecchio is the Vice President of Communications at IMG Academy, where he oversees the comprehensive communications and community relations strategy for the brand. With a background in media relations, public affairs, and brand management, Lovecchio is dedicated to elevating IMG Academy’s profile and effectively conveying its mission to a global audience. His leadership ensures that IMG Academy’s achievements, values, and innovations are communicated clearly and compellingly, fostering strong relationships with stakeholders, media, and the broader community. Under Lovecchio’s leadership, IMG Academy has donated over $50 million in total giveback.

Lovecchio brings over 15 years of experience delivering results for brands across the sports, entertainment, travel/tourism, and restaurant/hospitality industries. Before joining IMG Academy in 2022, he was an account supervisor at &Barr, a full-service advertising agency partnering with national and global brands, where he was responsible for the success of multiple client accounts across various industries and brands including AAA, Florida’s Space Coast, Rosen Hotels Sonny’s BBQ and more.

From 2017 to 2019, Lovecchio served as the Manager of Communications for the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) in Daytona Beach, Fla. In this role, he devised and implemented media relations strategies across national, regional, and local platforms. Lovecchio’s efforts successfully secured high-profile media coverage in leading publications such as Inc. Magazine, Sports Business Journal, Forbes, and Front Office Sports, enhancing the visibility and reputation of IMSA, a NASCAR company.

Lovecchio began his career in 2011 as the Senior Coordinator of Racing Communications with NASCAR’s Integrated Marketing Communications team in Daytona Beach, Fla. There, he played a key part in the award-winning communications team by delivering extensive media relations, event planning, and crisis management support.

Mike holds a journalism degree from Florida International University and a communications degree from Daytona State College.

A progressive and business-minded attorney in the sports and entertainment industry for over 20 years, Dan Malasky, Esq. joined IMG Academy as its Chief Legal Officer in November 2023.

Malasky’s mindset of empowering student-athletes to win their future led him back to youth sports following five years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where Malasky was an executive team member of the first club in NFL history to win a Super Bowl in its home stadium. Malasky quarterbacked the Legal, Facility Security, and Government Affairs departments, and played an instrumental role in the club's rise to prominence during this storied period.

Prior to joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Malasky served as General Counsel and Managing Director of Business Affairs for the United States Tennis Association’s USTA National Campus. Malasky helped lead the development and operation of the 100-court, 64-acre, state-of-the-art tennis complex located in Orlando, Fla. touted as the “Home of American Tennis”. In addition to his responsibilities at the USTA National Campus, Malasky managed the USTA’s day-to-day legal affairs for the largest annually attended sporting event in the world, the US Open and served as General Counsel to the USTA’s Player Development program and its three National Training Centers around the country.

Prior to joining the USTA in 2006, Malasky served as Senior Vice President & General Counsel of DIRT MotorSports, the largest sanctioning body for dirt track auto racing and owner of the World of Outlaws. He went to DIRT MotorSports in 2004 following several years as a commercial litigator at Piper Rudnick LLP (now DLA Piper) in his hometown of Washington, D.C. Malasky also worked for Washington Sports & Entertainment, Aspen Skiing Company, and SportsPro Management prior to attending law school.

Malasky graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania and attained his J.D. from Boston University School of Law where he was recognized as an Edward F. Hennessey Scholar.

Malasky currently serves on the Board for the Florida Sports Foundation, University of Pennsylvania Sprint Football, and previously served as Chairman of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission.

Malasky resides in Safety Harbor, Fla. with his wife, Desi, and two daughters, Aspen and Brecka.

Rick McDole is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of IMG Academy Online, bringing over 15 years of expertise in operations and customer success. He leads initiatives to enhance our online services by driving innovation and excellence and has been pivotal in shaping the future of online education for athletic development.

In his role, McDole oversees customer operations across IMG Academy’s online divisions and supports the executive and management teams in all functions. His primary focus is on boosting customer satisfaction and retention. McDole's dedication to delivering exceptional service ensures the success of both student-athletes and coaches.

McDole's professional journey began in 2006 as a recruiting analyst with NCSA. He quickly rose through the ranks, taking on roles such as director of operations, operations manager, and Executive Vice President. His leadership was instrumental in the organization's growth, establishing it as a leader in college recruiting.

Additionally, McDole has scaled several other online businesses, including CollegeAdvisor.com, Front Rush, and Zcruit. Each is a leader in its space and has a significant impact on both students and college coaches.

A graduate of Northwestern University, McDole was a scholarship student-athlete in the football program. He furthered his education with a master’s degree in finance and business administration from Johns Hopkins University, equipping him with a robust foundation for his impactful career.

Mike Milliron is a visionary leader and strategic architect, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of IMG Academy’s Bradenton campus. With a remarkable career spanning various key roles within IMG Academy, Milliron has consistently demonstrated his ability to drive organizational growth, foster cultural transformation, and deliver unparalleled results across multiple areas.

Milliron's tenure at IMG Academy has been marked by a series of notable achievements and transformative leadership roles. He has exclusively worked in a leadership role for and with each of IMG Academy’s past three president’s including Tim Pernetti, Chip McCarthy, and Sam Zussman.

In his current capacity as Chief Operating Officer, Milliron oversees the strategic direction and operational efficiency of IMG Academy's Bradenton campus and products, including its boarding school and camps, Legacy Hotel, and IMG Academy Golf Club. His visionary leadership and strategic expertise have been instrumental in driving organizational success and fostering a culture of excellence and experience.

Previously, as the Senior Vice President of Product Operations, Milliron spearheaded the establishment of a first-of-its-kind division focused on elevating the experience at IMG Academy to new heights. Under his guidance, this best-in-class division became the driving force behind organizational culture change, emphasizing the importance of experience-centric strategies and initiatives for IMG Academy’s customers and team members. The department included key areas of focus such as campus experience, production innovation, consumer insights and customer success. Under Milliron, the division launched several pillars of success at IMG Academy including Mission UCX – an experience-based platform for team members to improve the campus experience; a reimagined campus center with student-athlete feedback included; an unprecedented effort to improve the female student-athlete experience with programming; and improvements to satisfaction for student-athletes, families and campers.

From 2021-2024, in addition to his Production Operations leadership role, Milliron also was given direct oversight of key areas on campus including Academics, Athletics and Student-Life. He was named interim Head of School overseeing staff and student-athletes, led college placement records for student-athletes and innovative programming for the Academic arm of IMG Academy. His strategic decision making in each of these roles helped restructure the departments for success. He implemented innovative approaches for future growth and set the standard for an experience-driven culture.

As Chief of Staff, Milliron played a pivotal role in navigating the organization through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. His adept crisis management skills were instrumental in maintaining operational continuity and driving positive change within the organization. As Chief of Staff, Milliron also launched diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives – building the strategic plan for how IMG Academy would champion these efforts company-wide.

Throughout his tenure at IMG Academy, Milliron has held various leadership positions, including Director of Sales, Lacrosse Student-Athlete Advisor/Program Manager, and Associate Athletic Director/Director of Camps. In each role, he has consistently delivered exceptional results and driven growth through innovative strategies and collaborative teamwork.

Milliron's journey began with a strong foundation in academics and athletics. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Penn State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences. During his time at Penn State, Milliron was a member of the varsity baseball team. His dedication and talent in the sport led to his selection in the 2005 Major League Baseball draft by the Colorado Rockies. Following his baseball career, Milliron continued his pursuit of excellence in academia. He obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Masters of Sports Administration from Ohio University, further honing his skills and expanding his knowledge in the realm of business and sports management.

Lisa Strasman is the Chief People Operations Officer of IMG Academy, overseeing HR, people operations, team culture, experience, and leadership coaching across IMG Academy’s on-campus and online products. Previously serving as president of NCSA College Recruiting, an online product of IMG Academy, Strasman brings more than 20 years’ experience across sports education and college recruiting to her role.

One of the first competitive female ice hockey players in Illinois, Strasman captained the women’s hockey team at Yale University and later played professional hockey in Switzerland before joining NCSA in 2004 as a recruiting coach and director.

She was Vice President, Operations in 2006, and Chief Operating Officer in 2009. In her various roles, she helped develop the process and digital platform that today guides thousands of student-athletes and their parents through the college athletic recruiting process and helps them find the right college fit. Strasman became president of NCSA in 2012, and helped the business achieve steady growth in all areas, including the number of college commitments. Under her leadership, NCSA also launched IMG Academy+ in 2022, an online extension of IMG Academy providing 1-on-1 mental performance and nutrition coaching to student-athletes everywhere. Strasman has also instilled a strong team culture, as evidenced by NCSA’s 30+ Best Places to Work awards.

In addition to her role as CPOO, Strasman is a frequent speaker and featured panelist at events including SXSW and Women in Sports and Events. She has also written articles for Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and more. Strasman is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and sits on the board of the Windy City Chapter. She also coaches youth hockey in the Chicagoland Area and serves on the board of the Falcons Hockey Association.