Rawlings Promotes Ostrowski to President and CEO, Zlaket to Transition to Vice Chairman

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI (October 1, 2024) – Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., announced two structural changes to its executive leadership staff. Mike Zlaket, Rawlings’ current Chief Executive Officer, will transition to the role of Vice Chairman of the company’s board of directors, while Ron Ostrowski’s current role as President has been expanded to President and CEO. Ostrowski will assume his new duties effective Jan. 1, 2025.

“Ron has done a wonderful job as President over the past two years and I’m confident he is the right choice to lead the company into the future,” said Zlaket. “Ron has demonstrated passion, energy, and most notably strong leadership while integrating the acquisition of Easton Diamond Sports® into our business model. Ron exhibits an excellent all-around knowledge of our company and industry that has only strengthened with time.”

^{Photo: Ron Ostrowski}

In 2020, Ostrowski joined Rawlings as the Chief Financial Officer and was appointed to the role of President in 2022. During his tenure with the company, Rawlings was named the official glove and base of Major League Baseball, expanded its distribution facilities, and opened the “Rawlings Experience,” an immersive, interactive flagship destination near its newly constructed world headquarters in St. Louis.

“The future of our company is as bright as ever, with an innovative product pipeline, an unmatched lineup of endorsers and strong partnerships with our retailers,” said Ostrowski. “I’m grateful to work alongside the best team in the industry to continually build on the momentum of our legendary brands as they grow in demand with our consumer base.”

Rawlings created the iconic Rawlings Gold Glove Award® and is the official glove, baseball, helmet, face guard and base of Major League Baseball®. Mike Thompson was inducted into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2024 in May.

^{Photo: Mike Zlaket}

Rawlings is a NSGA member and supporter.