HITS LLC announced Sept. 8 that founder Tom Struzzieri will be stepping away from his role as chief executive officer at the end of the 2022 season, after more than 40 years at the helm of HITS LLC. HITS LLC, which produces competitions in six locations across the United States, will be led by its management team while the company actively engages in a search for a new CEO.

Struzzieri will remain a part owner and director of HITS LLC, and he will continue to provide strategic consulting to the company as well as significant involvement in the launch of the Del Mar Showpark (California) in 2023.

Tom Struzzieri. Molly Sorge Photo

“I have been extremely fortunate over the four decades of running HITS to have a terrific group of employees who have been by my side through some very hard climbs as we together have grown the company,” Struzzieri said. “I remain committed to those people and will be in constant touch as a consultant as we face the next challenges together. On a parallel course I have also been blessed to have very loyal clients, and because of that loyalty they too can continue to count on me as a liaison to all things HITS related. The future of HITS is bright, and I plan on doing what I can behind the scenes to help it shine.”

HITS has showgrounds in New York, Florida, Vermont, Illinois, Virginia and now California.

“It has been a pleasure to witness the industry through Tom’s eyes. He has been, and will continue to be, a guide and advisor to us all,” said Mortimer Singer, managing partner of Traub Capital Partners, which invested in HITS in March. “Tom has built a great business, and we look forward to continuing our work together as partners.”

As Struzzieri steps away from his role as CEO, he is fulfilling his life-long goal of cycling across the United States and will be supporting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society with Team Alpha.