Lars Hem

Co-Chief Executive Officer  

Lars is an experienced investment banker and management consultant, having worked primarily with early stage and middle market companies throughout his career. Prior to joining CATZ, he worked at a Boston-based investment banking firm focusing on mergers & acquisitions of privately held businesses. Previously, he worked for Mercer Management Consulting, advising clients in the telecommunications, automotive and transportation industries. Prior to Mercer, he was employed in the Corporate Finance Group of Bankers Trust Company and the Middle Market Banking Group of Chemical Bank.

Lars received his BA from Williams College and MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. While at Williams, Lars was a member of the varsity football and track teams.

Michael Sapers

Co-Chief Executive Officer  

Prior to joining CATZ, Mike owned and operated two companies in the real estate field. His first business was a real estate development and management company that focused on properties in the Greater Boston Area. In 1991, he created RealtyIQ, a real estate information company that provided a comprehensive electronic database about commercial properties in a given market; a key tool for brokers, owners, investors, and property managers. As founder and president of this company, Mike developed the business from a concept into a 300-employee nationwide company that covered 53 markets across the United States. During the process, he negotiated the acquisition of a major competitor, raised $44 million of private equity capital, and ultimately sold the business in 2001 to a real estate services company jointly owned by four major commercial real estate firms.

From 2001 to 2003, Mike had been employed as an executive at Sapers & Wallack, a family business providing insurance and employee benefit services to companies throughout New England.

Mike received a BA from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. A competitive skier, Mike coached the Ford Sayre Freestyle Ski Team at Dartmouth. He also played on the Dartmouth rugby team.

Jim Liston

Founder and President  

Jim is one of the leading strength and conditioning coaches in the country and a founder of CATZ. Jim has 15 years experience in the strength and conditioning field and has designed training programs for professional and elite amateur athletes in the following sports: soccer, football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, boxing, tennis, marathon running, triathlon, duathlon, figure skating, water polo, and gymnastics. As a nationally-recognized authority on training athletes, Jim has been the featured speaker to organizations such as the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and the American Youth Soccer Organization.

Jim has been featured as an expert on training athletes in such prominent publications as The New York Times, Business Week, Mens Health, Mens Fitness, and Oxygen.

Jim holds a BS from the University of Massachusetts and a Masters in Health Science from Springfield College. He has been a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) since 1995.

Todd Ducharme

Executive Vice President & General Manager  

Todd has been extensively involved in sales and athletics. He was formerly a District Manager at Siebel Systems, selling multi-million dollar software systems to Fortune 500 companies in the New England and Mid-Atlantic States. Previously, he was involved in sales and business development for several start-up companies in the Boston area. Todd was also employed by TRACS, a sports marketing firm, where he managed grass roots promotion and sales programs. Immediately upon graduation from college, Todd served as an assistant football coach, recruiting coordinator, and assistant track & field coach at Pomona College in Claremont, CA. Largely as a result of his recruiting efforts, Pomona experienced a dramatic turnaround of its football program, posting its first winning record in 22 years. As a track & field coach, Todd coached a number of NCAA National Qualifiers.

Todd holds a BA degree from Williams College. At Williams, Todd was a record setting wide receiver and captain of the football team. He was also an All-American decathlete and five-time NCAA National Qualifier for the track team.

Kevin Wentz

Founder and Executive Vice President, Product Development  

Kevin is a licensed physical therapist and founder of CATZ with almost 20 years experience focusing on sports performance training. Kevin has served as the head physical therapist for the Los Angeles Galaxy. He is also Director of Physical Therapy for Professional Orthopedic and Sports Care in Pasadena, CA. In this capacity, Kevin rehabilitates as many as 100 athletes per month, including such notables as World Champion Boxer Oscar De La Hoya, NBA All Star Stacey Augmon, and US National Team Captain Claudio Reyna.

Kevin, a collegiate football player, received his BS in physical therapy from the University of North Dakota.

Dan Calichman

Executive Vice President, Global Business Development  

Dan was among the top professional soccer players in the United States for over 10 years. Following an All-American career at Williams College, Dan played for four years in Japan’s prestigious J-League. Upon formation of the MLS, Dan returned to the US and played for the Galaxy, New England Revolution and San Jose Earthquakes. He was captain of the Galaxy, a member of the MLS All Star team and the USA Today Defender of the Year in 1997. Dan also played on the US National Team. In addition to his duties at CATZ, Dan also currently serves as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach for Claremont McKenna College and as Director of Crown City United, the soccer club of Pasadena, CA.

Dan received a BS degree from Williams College. In addition to being a 3-time soccer All-American, he also played varsity lacrosse.

Mike Higgins

Director of Operations  

Involved in athletics throughout his professional career, Mike was a natural fit for CATZ as a member of the facility support team.  Mike’s work experience started in sports marketing in New York City as a National Network Buyer for advertising firm of Young & Rubicam.  Additionally, he has extensive event management skills from his days as the Special olympics Northern California Competition Manager.  Mike also holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration from the university of San Francisco.

A graduate of Hobart College, he was a two-time All-American in the sport of lacrosse, played on three national championship teams, and captained the 1993 team.  Currently, Mike is the Defensive Coordinator for the Tufts University Men’s Lacrosse team, while also working local youth and high school camps in the area.