Corporate Team
Gale Landers
Chief Executive Officer
Gale Landers co-founded Fitness Formula in 1984 and is the sole owner of the company. Under his leadership, the firm has developed its Chicago area network of Fitness Formula Clubs. Mr. Landers attended Western Illinois University on a baseball scholarship. He holds a Bachelors of Business degree in Accounting and a Masters degree in Athletic Administration. He is a former member of the Board of Directors for the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). He served as the IHRSA Board President in 2000 and on various special assignment committees for IHRSA. He has consulted on several market and facility analysis projects within the fitness industry.
Barbara Farruggia
Human Resources Director
Barb Farruggia joined Fitness Formula Clubs late in 2011 as the Human Resources Director. She has an extensive Human Resources background and intimate knowledge of the hospitality and fitness industries. Barb oversees all HR-related areas of the company including recruiting, benefits, policies, training and compliance.
Greg Cibura
Chief Technology Officer
Greg Cibura joined Fitness Formula in the summer of 1998. Greg is responsible for designing and implementing technology solutions to support the policies and directives of the company. He maintains existing enterprise systems, while providing direction and support of technology and information operations in accordance with the company core values.
Brian Singleton
Chief Financial Officer
Brian Singleton joined Fitness Formula in 2008 following seven years in public accounting. He earned his accounting degree from Purdue University. His responsibilities as CFO include managing the firm's corporate accounting department which oversees all financial reporting, cash management, insurance, and banking relationships.
Scott Lewandowski
Regional Director
Scott Lewandowski, MS, Regional Director for Fitness Formula, joined the company in 1994. He has direct oversight of several FFC locations and leads the development, standardization and growth of our fitness programs and member retention initiatives. He was the 2001 IHRSA/ACE Fitness Director of the Year and is a veteran presenter at fitness industry conventions and conferences. Scott obtained a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from Benedictine University in 1997 and is a Certified Personal Trainer with The National Academy of Sports Medicine, a Certified Personal Trainer with the American Council on Exercise, a USA Track and Field Level 1 Coach, and Certified Resistance Training Specialist.
Jeff Riney
Regional Director
Jeff Riney joined the corporate team in the last quarter of 2010 as Regional Director. Jeff has managed multiple club regions in several markets during his 15 plus years in the fitness industry. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in Marketing. His focus for FFC will be to provide the leadership and operational support for the amenity and business components, and drive the growth of membership sales to effectively and positively impact business growth.
Kipper Lance
Director of Marketing Communications
Kipper Lance joined FFC in the fall of 2012 as the Marketing and Communications Director. She is responsible for marketing and communication strategy, advertising, social media, and promotions, as well as media and marketing partnerships. She has over 15 years of experience in strategic marketing communications, sports marketing, branding and advertising campaigns.
Andrea Wagner
Art Director
Andrea joined FFC in 2010 as the company’s Art Director. Andrea is responsible for designing and producing a variety of collateral media including club signage, promotions, advertisements and e-marketing. Andrea has 15 years of graphic design experience ranging from corporate communications campaigns to freelance work.
Lisa Ellis
Regional Spa and Retail Director
Lisa Ellis joined Fitness Formula in 2011 as Regional Director of Spas and Retail. Lisa is responsible for spa operations, spa brand and service direction, and retail for 8 FFC clubs. She has almost a decade of experience in spa management at several award winning spas in the US and PR, and also in the fitness industry. Prior to her career as a Spa Director, Lisa worked for direct and internet marketing companies in operations and business development. Fairly new to Chicago, Lisa is also a licensed massage therapist and originally hails from New York.
Liv Berger
Regional Director of Pilates
Liv assists all the clubs with recruiting, staffing, training, selling, and marketing of FFC’s Pilates programs. Liv has taught Pilates for 17 years and holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Dance from the University of California at Irvine. She has owned 2 Pilates studios in Chicago and is also the founding member of the United Pilates Collective (Illinois Chapter), helping to unite Pilates studios and teachers throughout the region and nation.
Kat Byrne
Regional Director of Corporate Wellness
Kat Byrne is a veteran of the health club industry and focuses primarily on corporate wellness programs. She implements Wellfit, the corporate fitness and wellness program of preventative health service plans to reach new and often inactive membership markets. Kat facilitates corporate sales, business partnerships, and wellness programs as the core of Fitness Formula's Wellfit, creating a healthier work environment for our corporate clients.
Mike Drozd
Corporate Staff Accountant
Mike Drozd joined Fitness Formula in the summer of 2007. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago and holds a degree in Finance. Mike is responsible for assisting the Director of Finance with the accounting processes in support of all Fitness Formula Clubs.
Monica Wehba
Human Resource Generalist
Monica Wehba joined Fitness Formula Clubs in late 2011. She took on the role of Human Resource Generalist and will be handling the candidate sourcing, recruitment and various HR responsibilities moving forward. She has several years of healthcare recruitment experience and is eager to utilize that knowledge and background within the fitness industry. Monica is also currently pursuing a Master's degree in Human Resource Management.
Rodney Holt
Corporate Staff Accountant
Rodney joined Fitness Formula in 2012 with over 15 years experience in payroll and commission analysis administration. He is a graduate of Roosevelt University and holds a Bachelor of General Studies in Music Education. Rod is responsible for administration and auditing of all commissionable payrolls, membership gift certificate programs and the FFC Wellfit program accounting.
Shirley Lockett
Corporate Staff Accountant
Shirley joined Fitness Formula in 2009 as was promoted to Corporate Accountant in 2012. She has an MBA with a concentration in Accounting from the Keller Graduate School of Management. Shirley is responsible for accounts payable and assisting FFC’s Senior Staff Accountant with the accounting processes in support of all Fitness Formula Clubs.
Renee Watts
I.T. Assistant
Renee Watts joined Fitness Formula in 2013; she has almost a decade of technology maintenance and repair experience. She holds a B.F.A. in Interactive Arts and Media from Columbia College in Chicago. Renee is responsible for supporting, maintaining and advancing the clubs’ technologies.
Amy Leitl
Regional Manager of Retail
Amy is a graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She was recently married, is the proud Aunt of 4 nieces and nephews, and "mom" to two great pups! Prior to joining FFC, Amy worked at the original Kiva Day Spa for five years after receiving her license in massage therapy from Chicago School of Massage.
Sheila Castle
Corporate Administrator
Sheila Castle joined FFC in 2013 as the Corporate Administrator. She has an extensive executive support and graphic design background. With her previous experience in the the health and wellness industry, she is responsible for providing the corporate office and individual clubs with multi-tiered support.
