MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Jay Kell has been named chief operating officer for the Wellbridge Co. He will be responsible for handling the company's day-to-day operations, including the development and implementation of systems, programs and procedures used by all 44 Wellbridge health clubs, the company said.
“Bringing Jay on board adds tremendous strength to our organization,” said Ed Williams, Wellbridge president and CEO. “His 30 years of experience in the health and fitness industry give him the expertise to skillfully manage the operational side of our organization.”
Kell was the COO of The Sports Clubs of Canada for more than 20 years. He and his partners sold Sports Clubs of Canada to Bally Total Fitness in 1999. He then became the area director for Bally Total Fitness and Sports Clubs of Canada for Toronto and upstate New York for the next three years. Most recently, Kell was the president of a group of 12 clubs in Alberta, Canada. He has also served as the chairman of the American Council on Exercise board and is a former member of the board of directors of IHRSA.
“I am excited to be a part of the Wellbridge executive team,” said Kell. “I have spent my career in this industry and have a great deal of enthusiasm for creating the kind of environment where our members can successfully achieve their fitness goals and live healthier lifestyles.”