KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Michigan-based running specialty retailer, Gazelle Sports, announced the latest evolution in its decades-long history of local-ownership. Effective immediately, the company is now 100% woman-owned and operated, under the leadership of CEO Jennifer Brummit, who is majority shareholder, and CMO Cara Cross, who has a minority partnership stake, in sole private co-ownership of Gazelle Sports. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Founded in Kalamazoo in 1985, award-winning Gazelle Sports has been proudly locally owned and operated for more than 40 years. The current ownership transition follows the 2024 retirement of founders and co-owners Chris Lampen-Crowell, Jean Sequite and Ken Sung, marking a new generation of leadership for the specialty retailer.
While the DNA that Gazelle Sports was built upon will remain intact, the strategic vision under Brummitt and Cross’ leadership is to bring a new and slightly different perspective to the corporate culture, a stronger influence of the female experience and subtle shift toward a more inclusive approach to customer engagement and community partnerships.
“I have been fortunate to watch Gazelle Sports continually adapt to meet the needs of the business, customers and communities over the years, even well before I was an employee,” said Brummitt. “My mom (Jean Sequite), Chris and Ken each had a profound impact on me, my passion for this business and the greater run specialty industry. I am inspired by the work we get to do each and every day at Gazelle Sports, and am honored to continue to evolve Gazelle Sports to meet the needs of runners, walkers and our partners.”
Brummitt has been with Gazelle Sports since 2003. The 20+-year veteran has worked at every level of the company, beginning as a part-time shipping and receiving staff member, before moving to Team Gazelle to manage the company’s Club Soccer business. From there, Brummitt transitioned to launch Gazelle Sports’ first e-commerce website in 2009, before being promoted to Director of Brand Strategy in 2013. She joined the Gazelle Sports executive team in 2018 and was appointed CEO in 2020.
Cara Cross joined Gazelle Sports in 2011 as a sales floor team member in Grand Rapids and grew her career at the company as Assistant Store Manager, then Community Engagement Events Manager. She joined the Gazelle Sports executive team in 2019 and was promoted to Director of Brand in 2020. She has served as CMO since 2023.
“Chris, Jean and Ken built a local business on fostering strong relationships – within the team, our communities and among our partners,” said Cross. “It is a privilege to carry that legacy forward, while helping to evolve Gazelle Sports in a way that meaningfully meets the community and our customers where they are now, and into the future.”
On Dec. 7, 2025, the Gazelle Sports team marked a major milestone, celebrating the retailer’s official 40th anniversary. Also, earlier this month, Gazelle Sports was once again celebrated as a, “Best Running Store” at The Running Event, an annual premier industry conference, making it the 16th time Gazelle Sports has been honored since the award’s inception in 2008.
Gazelle Sports has Michigan locations in Birmingham, Grand Rapids (x2), Grandville, Holland, Kalamazoo and Northville, as well as global e-commerce operations at GazelleSports.com. Additionally, Team Gazelle provides soccer uniforms and fanwear to high schools, colleges, club organizations and businesses.
