Management Team

Michael E. Longo joined the Company as our Chief Executive Officer and President in December 2019. Formerly, he served as Chief Executive Officer for City Gear, LLC from October 2006 to November 2018, where he oversaw the successful acquisition of the company in 2018 by Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc. (n/k/a Hibbett Retail, Inc.). Prior to City Gear, he worked in positions of increasing responsibility and leadership with AutoZone, Inc. starting as a Vice President of Supply Chain in 1996 to Executive Vice President of Supply Chain, IT, Development, Mexico in 2005. Mr. Longo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the United States Military Academy and an MBA from Harvard University.

Robert J. Volke joined the company and was named our Chief Financial Officer in April 2020. Prior to joining Hibbett Mr. Volke most recently served as Interim Chief Financial Officer of Fleet Farm LLC (Fleet Farm), a position he held since March 2020, and as its Vice President, Accounting and Corporate Controller from August 2018 to February 2020. Prior to his service at Fleet Farm, Mr. Volke held various positions of increasing responsibility with Tractor Supply Company (Nasdaq: TSCO), including as its Vice President and Controller from March 2017 to August 2018, Vice President – Accounting and Reporting from February 2014 to February 2017, Director of General Accounting and Financial Reporting from February 2009 to January 2014, and Manager of General Accounting and Financial Reporting from May 2007 to February 2009. Mr. Volke holds a Certified Public Accountant designation and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Indiana University.

Jared S. Briskin was appointed our Executive Vice President of Merchandising in September 2021. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Merchant from September 2014 through September 2021. He has served in roles of increasing responsibility and leadership in various merchandising positions across multiple categories since joining the Company in April 1998, including Vice President/Divisional Merchandise Manager of Footwear and Equipment from March 2010 through September 2014 and Vice President/Divisional Merchandise Manager of Apparel and Equipment from June 2004 through March 2010.

Ronald P. Blahnik was appointed to serve as our Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer in April 2019. Mr. Blahnik joined the Company in November 2016 as our Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Before joining our Company, he served as managing partner of Blahnik Consulting Services, LLC from April 2011 to November 2016. Prior to starting his own company, Mr. Blahnik held various positions of increasing responsibility with Lowe’s Home Improvement (NYSE; LOW), including as its Vice President of Infrastructure Services from Aug 2004 to March 2011, multiple Director roles across Applications Development, Data Warehouse, Engineering, and Strategy & Planning from September 1997 to July 2004. Mr. Blahnik is a retired Army officer and has worked in the information technology field for more than 40 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology.

David M. Benck is Senior Vice President and General Counsel. He also serves as our Chief Privacy Officer, Chair of our Enterprise Risk Committee, Chair of our ESG Committee, Assistant Secretary and Chief Risk Assessor.  Mr. Benck joined the Company in March 2005.  In addition to his role with the Company, Mr. Benck previously served on the Board of Directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Birmingham Branch appointee, on the Board of Directors for the American Arbitration Association, on the Board of Directors for one of the US Olympic national governing bodies, and as a member of the NCAA’s Independent Resolution Panel.  He currently serves as a member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Lausanne, Switzerland), and is a Fellow in the National Association of Corporate Directors and an IAPP Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US and CIPM).

Mark A. Gunn was appointed Senior Vice President – Chief Human Resources Officer in August of 2023. Mr. Gunn has over 25 years of experience as a senior executive in human resources. Mr. Gunn joins the Company most recently from The 99 Stores Company where he served as the Chief Human Resources Officer. He has served in roles as the Senior Vice President – Human Resources at the TJX Companies, Senior Vice President – Human Resources Mc Donalds Corporation, Vice President Human Resources – Ross Stores, and Vice President – Global Talent Acquisition – Wal Mart Stores Inc.

Benjamin A. Knighten was appointed to serve as our Senior Vice President of Operations in March 2020. Mr. Knighten holds an MBA from the University of Memphis and an undergraduate degree in Economics from Auburn University. Previously he served as Chief Operating Officer of City Gear, LLC from July 2018 to March 2020 and as Vice President of Store Operations of City Gear from November 2006 to July 2018.

Michael C. McAbee was appointed to serve as our Senior Vice President, Supply Chain and Store Development in March 2022. Mr. McAbee joined our Company in September 2002 as a Merchant/Planner and during his tenure has held various positions of increasing responsibility and leadership including Vice President, Merchandise Planning and Replenishment from April 2008 to June 2012, Vice President, Merchandise Planning and Corporate Strategy from July 2012 to September 2014, Vice President, Merchandise Planning, Inventory Management and Corporate Strategy from October 2014 to April 2019, Vice President, Merchandise Operations and Planning from May 2019 to March 2020, Vice President, Store Development and Merchandise Operations from April 2020 to April 2021, and most recently, Vice President, Supply Chain and Store Development from May 2021 to March 2022. Mr. McAbee earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Alabama.

William G. Quinn was appointed to serve as our Senior Vice President of Marketing and Digital in April 2019. Mr. Quinn joined the Company in February 2016 as our Vice President of Digital Commerce. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Vice President, Digital for David's Bridal and as Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer for 24 Hour Fitness. Mr. Quinn earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Vanderbilt University, his MBA at Duke University and also holds a Certificate of Web Design from Temple University.

J. Stephani Smith was appointed to serve as our Senior Vice President, Merchandising in March 2022. Ms. Smith joined the Company in October 2020 as our Vice President, General Merchandising Manager. Prior to joining the Company, she spent almost 28 years at Nike, Inc. where she held a variety of positions with increasing levels of responsibility and leadership, serving most recently as their Vice President of North American Sales for Converse. In addition, she was General Manager and Global Vice President of Nike’s Skateboarding Category. Her tenure at Nike included service throughout North America, as well as Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Ms. Smith earned her Bachelor of Science Degree at Atlanta Christian College in Atlanta, Georgia.