WHO WE ARE

Run Great. That is our goal for every client. Since 2006, we have helped specialty retailers across the U.S. run great businesses by customizing innovative strategies and ensuring optimal execution - from front of the house to back, from physical to digital.

Our mission is to guide specialty retailers to grow and profit in a rapidly changing retail landscape, so they can develop the business they want, take the lead, do amazing things, and Run Great.

EXPERIENCE

Our team brings over 100 years of combined experience in the running industry, hailing from both the retail and the vendor side of the business.

FOCUS

We do running. Our focus is narrow, but our ability is both wide and deep. We know specialty run better than anyone, and we direct all our efforts toward getting our clients ahead of where this industry is going.

DEPENDABILITY

We do what we say we are going to do.

PERSONALIZATION & COMMUNITY

We treat our clients as both individuals and community members. We provide personalized service that addresses each client’s unique needs, and we foster a community of specialty retailers that enhances everyone’s business well beyond what we have been hired to do. We do this because we know that as individuals, we’re smart but as a team, we’re wise.

MEET THE TEAM

Parker Karnan

Parker Karnan, founder of Karnan Associates, has worked with hundreds of business owners and learned the inherent challenges entrepreneurs face as they work to create a thriving business.  Parker and his team are focused on the specialty run industry and strive to half-step the ever-changing running landscape. 

Parker's career includes roles as VP of Sales at Brooks Sports, a sales rep for Performance Sales West, and as Executive Director of Running Industry Association (formerly IRRA).  He believes a great consultant earns their keep by figuring out what to do next.  Experience is important to the extend it provides wisdom to navigate the future.

A California native, Parker resides in Woodinville, WA, with his wife of 25 years and 3 children.  When he's not working with clients to improve their business, Parker loves to ski, coach soccer, and eat cheeseburgers.  Be warned that most winter weekends Parker is out of cell range because he is searching for fresh tracks at Crystal Mountain near Mt. Rainier.

David Durkin

David's background combines consulting experience for global retailers and small businesses as well as ownership and management roles in the running and events industry. He was previously the owner of a 50 Best Running Store and an events company that timed over 30 events annually and managed 5 in house events from 5k to the marathon.

He is most often found working on forecasts, market studies, and building new tools for the Karnan team and clients to use, but also leverages his analytics background in support of KAMRUN. As a prior owner, he is able to offer both his analytical expertise as well as an understanding of the day to day challenges of ownership.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, David migrated to Atlanta to attend Emory University for an MBA, and has since become a warm weather bird. When he's not working on your financial plan or a new fangled excel model, you'll find him on a local trail or greenway.

Maggie Butterfield

Maggie comes to Karnan Associates with a diverse background. Most recently she was the Executive Director of Pearce Community Center. PCC is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting and enhancing the overall wellness of all members as well as the community as a whole. During her five-year career at PCC, she was responsible for all leadership, daily operations and fiscal management of the Center.

Prior to her time at Pearce Community Center, she was the General Manager of Running Central, now RC Outfitters, located in Peoria, Illinois. During her seven-year career at Running Central she focused her talents on team development and work culture and was the apparel buyer.

Maggie attended the University of Illinois where she ran cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. In her free time, you will find her running the trails of Jubilee State Park, which is across the road from her house or running after her three kids! Maggie resides in Brimfield, Illinois, with her husband, Nick, and their children, Hattie, Nellie, and Freddie.

Ben Anderson

Ben is the data guy for Karnan. He can be found importing products, updating tools, and assisting clients with their data needs. His goal is to make everyone's lives easier and more efficient. 

Ben came to run specialty as a high school student working as a sales associate for his local Mom & Pop running store. Later, he attended the University of Iowa where he was twice captain of the men’s cross-country team/track & field team, and graduated in 2017.

He returned to the run specialty in January of 2020 when he began working at the nationally acclaimed Red Coyote Running and Fitness.

With the combination of his previous experience in the industry, his tens of thousands of miles run, and his education he soon became the Run-Speciality Swiss Army Knife at Red Coyote Running & Fitness. He did anything from front of house to purchase order/item creation to buying to management. 

Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa he is a Hawkeye through and through, but currently he resides in Oklahoma City with his wife, Kyla and their cat. In his free time you will find him with his family, watching sports, or out on a run.

Spence Beatty

Spence brings training expertise in biomechanics and gait analysis. He spent the last several years of his 7-year tenure at Playmakers (Mid-Michigan) overseeing New Hire training from initial onboarding to floor approval. Spence also headed biomechanics injury labs for Playmaker's veteran staff. He is passionate about training staff to improve customers' alignment and help them to move better!

Spence’s relation to the running industry was rooted while running cross-country/ track & field at Michigan State University. At MSU he was All-Big Ten in the Steeplechase and graduated with a degree in Biosystems Engineering. He spent 5 years working in the Engineering field before rediscovering his passion for running and the running industry. Spence’s background in engineering and biology brings technical expertise to educating staff on biomechanics.

Born in Northern Michigan’s Harbor Springs Area, when Spence isn’t running he loves any and every (almost…) action sport. He might be part 'fish' and really prefers anything on the water or related; surfing, kiteboarding, skiing or ending his runs/ bikes with a dip! He is a loving husband to his wife Carlie and a father of 2. Spence and his family stuck around the MSU area and currently live in Haslett Michigan by Lake Lansing

Cecilia Musey

Cecilia joined Karnan Associates in 2023, bringing her expertise in storytelling and marketing tailored for Future Track Clients. With a rich background spanning 5 years in marketing across diverse sports organizations, including a national USA Olympic governing body, professional sports team, and local sports entities, Cecilia offers a blend of passion, creativity, and strategic insight to KAMRUN's marketing endeavors.

Her journey into run specialty began during her college years at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, where she balanced her studies with playing Lacrosse and working as a sales associate at a local running store. This experience ignited her passion for the running industry, prompting her return in 2023 to work as a sales associate and marketing coordinator at iRun Texas.

Cecilia's approach to marketing revolves around crafting compelling narratives that resonate deeply with customers, whether through engaging social media content, immersive brand stories, or captivating visuals. Her goal is to foster enduring relationships between Future Track clients and their customers.

Born in the mountains of Colorado, Cecilia finds solace and joy in nature with her three dogs—Maggie, Chloe, and Milo—and her husband. Together, they embrace the world's wonders, following their hearts to embark on exciting adventures.

Jenny Phillips

Jenny joined the Karnan Associates team in 2020 as the marketing expert for Future Track Clients. Having a background in photojournalism, video production, and a plethora of digital marketing activities for a variety of industries, Jenny brings a tactical approach to marketing initiatives for our KAMRUN clients.

Jenny is able to apply practice-proven marketing strategies customized for our KAMRUN clients’ goals. She is most often found researching email best practices, creating and implementing strategies for Facebook and Google Ads, and providing insight into organic and paid campaigns.

Born in Hawaii, and raised in Beaufort, SC she feels most at home on the coast. In her downtime, she enjoys going to community events, traveling, and spending time with her husband and dog.