Regarded as a leading business strategist, and entrepreneur, Christopher Palumbo holds degrees in Industrial Design, Economics, and an MBA in Industrial Administration. Throughout his business career, he has successfully merged a creative vision with a forward-thinking strategy to build (or re-develop) award-winning brands and teams. He has an extensive background in key business operational and development areas, including licensing, franchising, manufacturing, distribution, sales development, and public affairs. He is recognized as a unique and innovative leader with deep insight as well as contacts in the consumer products, leisure, and wellness industries. Named "One to Watch" by Investors Business Daily, and frequently featured in media publications including The New York Times and Forbes. Palumbo began his career as a partner in a real estate development company, where he developed branding concepts for resort living as well as golf course communities. His resort and development expertise was complimented with active experience in the development of shared-time (formerly "timeshare") resorts, in a co-brand with Starwood to successfully develop multiple resort properties, each of which went on to exceed its sales and revenue performance targets. Palumbo was the driving force behind the development of "elements group," a privately held family of international healthy living brands that included elements® fitness, slimberry®, thinspa®, and BalanceDiet™ Centers. To date, he has worked with many of the largest and most reputable companies in the fitness and leisure industries, and is frequently featured in industry and national press as well as speaking cir