[March 21, 2006] Hot Stix Golf Adds Six Million Private Equity and Top Management Talent With New Investors Tweet SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- A majority of interest in Hot Stix Golf, Hot Stix Mobile and Hot Stix Technologies, privately held Arizona companies, was recently purchased by StormWind Ventures, LLC for an undisclosed amount. StormWind Ventures is owned and operated by a trio of Arizona's top entrepreneurs -- Tim and Eric Crown, founders of Insight Enterprises and Tom Graunke, founder of Mastering Computers and KnowledgeNet. Under the new management, Mark Timms, the founder of Hot Stix Golf, Mobile and Technologies will remain as President of Hot Stix Technologies, leading all R & D. Tom Graunke, one of the new investors, has assumed the position of Chairman for all three Hot Stix companies. "This new infusion of talent and six million dollars invested capital enables us to increase our research and development, grow our mobile fleet, expand the technology capabilities to our partners who use our custom fittings software, and provide the best custom fitting service to our customers," said Mark Timms. "Alan Shipnuck of Sports Illustrated recently wrote that our company had gone from 'cult secret to industry phenomenon in just six years.' It's no secret we expect to continue our fast pace growth and to be the place where pros and avid golfers find the best cutting-edge custom Tour-fittings in the world." As part of the reorganization, Chris Dragon, who was a founding member of KnowledgeNet and CIO at Thomson NETg, has become Hot Stix Mobile President, overseeing the fleet and operation of Hot Stix Mobile Fitting Centers that travel across the country to elite golf courses, venues and resorts, providing Tour-fittings to golfers. The fleet consists of two Mobile Fitting Centers with four more to be delivered by year-end. Doug Blouin was named Vice President of Business Development for Hot Stix Golf. He brings a wealth of connections from his previous position as Chief Operating Officer of the Fiesta Bowl. Blouin is responsible for building alliances with global organizations to bring their employees and customers to Hot Stix Golf for the ultimate golf experience in Arizona. He is also coordinating the Mobile Fitting Centers participation in tournaments, corporate events and special programs across the US. Jamie Glass was selected as Vice President of Marketing for Hot Stix Golf, Mobile & Technologies. She is responsible for all aspects of corporate marketing and managing the customer experience for the three companies. Prior to joining Hot Stix, Glass worked for Graunke as Senior Vice President of Telesales and Vice President of Marketing, Customer Service and Sales Operations at his previous companies. Jodi Juretich is the new Vice President of Finance for Hot Stix Golf, Mobile & Technologies. She joins Hot Stix with 10 years of accounting work and a variety of management and executive positions in privately funded companies, the latest being Vice President of Finance for Echopass. Juretich will handle financial and accounting activities for the three companies. The new position of Vice President of Sales for Hot Stix Technologies was filled by Hot Stix veteran Michael Helfrich, who has 15 years experience in golf and golf related software having worked at Golf Digest, Greens.com and Crescent Systems. Helfrich is responsible for licensing the Hot Stix Fitting System to retail and green grass club fitting centers around the world. With the addition of new staff, the company has grown from its beginnings in 2000 with six employees in 6,000 sq ft. of space to more than 40 employees in an expanded area of 22,000 square ft. at its 82nd Street location in Scottsdale. For more information about Hot Stix Golf, Hot Stix Mobile and Hot Stix Technologies, visit http://www.hotstixgolf.com/ or call (480) 513-1333. About Hot Stix Golf, Mobile & Technologies Based in Scottsdale, AZ and founded in 2000, Hot Stix Golf is comprised of three companies -- Golf, Mobile & Technologies. Hot Stix Golf is recognized as the world's leader in custom golf Tour-fittings, matching a golfer's unique swing to the perfect equipment for maximum results. Complete fitting services are also available onsite at premier golf destinations through Hot Stix Mobile company. These state-of-the-art onsite facilities provide outdoor fitting stations for elite custom Tour fittings at premier clubs and resorts across the US. Hot Stix Technologies licenses the world's leading software for custom fittings to retailers worldwide. Hot Stix Golf, Mobile & Technologies CONTACT: Nancy Vaughan of Vaughan Communications, +1-602-912-9126,[email protected], for Hot Stix Golf, Mobile & Technologies Web site: http://www.hotstixgolf.com/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]