RELATED: Turnaround CEO tapped for Academy Sports + Outdoors Lawrence, a longtime Academy customer and Texan, said he has a "deep passion" for the sports retailer's brand. Academy Sports + Outdoors. Academy Sports + Outdoors announced that Ken C. Hicks, former CEO at Foot Locker Inc. has been appointed chairman and CEO. Academy last year hired Ken Hicks, former head of Foot Locker, to push back against growing competition from discount stores, e-commerce and other sports retailers such as … “I grew up in Houston with Academy, and I know this company is special because of our mission, values and people. Photo: Courtesy Academy Sports / Courtesy Academy Sports By Thomas J. Ryan. Academy Sports + Outdoors is one of the nation's largest sporting goods and outdoor stores. Industry Retailing. Today - Academy Sports + Outdoors operates 259 stores in 16 states with more than 20,000 team members throughout the South, Southeast, and … Revenue $5B. Founded 1938. SGB Executive talked with Ken Hicks, chairman, president and CEO at Academy Sports + Outdoors, about the retailer’s record third-quarter sales and earnings in its first report as a public company.. Sales reach $4 billion. Academy … 2018 - Ken C. Hicks is named as Chairman, President, and CEO. Academy Sports + Outdoors is an American sporting goods discount store chain. With 259 stores and counting, we offer a broad assortment of quality hunting, fishing, and camping equipment and gear, along with sports and leisure products, footwear, apparel and much more. Fiscal Year End Feb 28, 2019. Academy Sports + Outdoors opens 200th store location in Tupelo, MS. 2016 - Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first Illinois location, and adds its third distribution facility in Cookeville, TN. ... Academy Sports + Outdoors' chairman, president and CEO. "Academy is in a good financial position to … Chairman and CEO Ken Hicks. 2014 - Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first Indiana and Kentucky locations. Sales $5B. Employees 23,000. 2015 - J.K. Symancyk is named as CEO & President. Academy Sports + Outdoors opens 250th store location in Mansfield, TX. 3 of 3 Ken Hicks was named the new chairman and CEO of Academy Sports + Outdoors on May 16, 2018. Country/Territory United States. Academy Sports + Outdoors furloughs staff, cuts pay. It has corporate offices in the Katy Distribution Center in unincorporated western Harris County, Texas, United States, near Katy and west of Houston.For 74 years it was a privately held company owned by the Gochman family, until its May 2011 acquisition by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co investment firm. Departing CEO J.K. Symancyk is leaving the company to pursue another opportunity. Katy, Texas — Academy, Ltd. d/b/a Academy Sports + Outdoors, a premier sports, outdoor and lifestyle retailer, has named James Kevin “J.K.” Symancyk as president and CEO, effective November 2, 2015.