Michael "Mike" Repole | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 21, 1969 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | St. John’s University |
| Occupation(s) | Founder, Vitamin Water |
| Spouse | Maria |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent | Annie & Benny Repole |
Overview
editMichael “Mike” Repole (born January 21, 1969) is an American entrepreneur, businessman, and owner of Repole Stables, best known for founding Glaceau (maker of Vitaminwater), which sold to Coca-Cola for $4.1 billion, and BodyArmor SuperDrink, a sports drink manufacturer.
Personal life
editRepole was born on January 21, 1969 in Middle Village Queens, New York to mother Annie Repole, a teacher, and father Benny Repole, a waiter. Repole’s parents, Italian immigrants, were devout Catholics.[1][2] He grew up in Middle Village, and attended St. Margaret’s Elementary and Holy Cross High School. Repole, the first in his family to go to college, went to St. John’s University and graduated with a degree in Sports Administration.[3]
Repole lives in Long Island with his wife Maria and their daughter.[4][5]
Career
editRepole first began his career at Mistic Beverages. He later joined Crystal Geyser as Vice President of Sales. In 1999, Repole co-founded, with J. Darius Bikoff, Energy Brands, commonly known as Glaceau, which produced Smartwater and Vitaminwater, and which was credited with launching the enhanced water beverage vertical.[6] The company grew quickly, netting $1M in its first year, and growing to over $1 billion in sales by 2007, when it was the top-selling water brand in the US. In 2007, Coca-Cola bought the company for $4.1 billion.[7]
In 2009, he joined Pirate's Booty as Chairman of the Board. He helped the company grow 300% in less than five years. In 2013, Pirate Brands sold for $195 million to B&G Foods.[6][8]
In 2011, he co-founded BodyArmor Superdrink, a sports drinks company, with Lance Collins.[6] BodyArmor, usually stylized BODYARMOR, garnered media attention in 2014 when Kobe Bryant, a professional basketball player, invested millions into the company and became the company’s creative director. Bryant is additionally the fourth largest stakeholder in the company, and Repole currently serves as Chairman of the company.[9] In August of 2018, Coca Cola became the second largest stakeholder in BodyArmor in an attempt to further challenge rival Pepsi's hold, via its Gatorade brand, on the sport’s drink industry.[3] According to Nielsen data, BodyArmor is the third most purchased sports drink, with expected revenues of $400 million in 2018.[10]
Repole Stables
editRepole became a horse racing fan in his teenage years.[11] During his time at Glaceau, he became increasingly involved in horse racing and thoroughbred ownership, and, after selling Glaceau, he opened Repole Stable. His most accomplished horse, Uncle Mo, was named the American Champion Two-Year-Old in 2010, and is currently one of the most popular racehorse sires, having sired Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, among others.[12] The stables' other notable horses include Coach Inge, Notacatbutallama, Caixa Eletronica and multiple Grade 1 winner Stay Thirsty.[13]
- ^ Burns, Mark J. "Think Big, Dream Bigger: Mike Repole's Journey To Becoming Co-Founder Of BODYARMOR". Forbes. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Winning Belmont would be special for Repole and Viola". Newsday. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ a b Osacky, Michael. "Interview with Entrepreneur and Visionary Mike Repole". Parade. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ McNamara, Ed. "LI's Mike Repole gets another chance in Derby". Newsday. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ McNamara, Ed. "Winning Belmont would be special for Repole and Viola". Newsday. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ a b c Heitner, Darren. "Father Of BODYARMOR Speaks About Plan To Disrupt The Sports Drink Industry". Forbes. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ Heitner, Darren (3 May 2016). "Meet the Successful Entrepreneur Seeking a Triple Crown". Inc.com. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Mike Repole '91SVC St. John's University". www.stjohns.edu. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ Rovell, Darren (Aug 16, 2018). "Kobe's $6M drink investment has $200M return". ESPN.com. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ Maloney, Jennifer; Lombardo, Cara (14 August 2018). "Coca-Cola Invests in BodyArmor as It Chases Gatorade". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ Maloney, Jennifer; Lombardo, Cara (5 June 2018). "Belmont Stakes is only race that matters for this Queens owner". New York Post. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ Peck, Jared (May 2, 2018). "Who owns every Kentucky Derby horse and how they got so rich". kentucky. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ^ "Repole Stable". www.americasbestracing.net. Retrieved 22 August 2018.