Dennis Lee
Director/Board Member at Twin Cities Lyme Foundation
Profile
Dennis Lee is the co-founder and former president and CEO of Octane Fitness, the only company in the world exclusively focused on the zero-impact cardiovascular fitness equipment category.
He oversaw strategic direction and day-to-day operations.
In September 2001, he launched Octane Fitness in his unfinished basement; today, Octane is the market leader for zero-impact training products.
He built Octane based on a strategy unique to the fitness industry that focused exclusively on the core competencies of product innovation and sales and service excellence, outsourcing all other non-core competencies.
As a result of this approach, he and Octane realized incredible growth within the U.S., opened additional offices in The Netherlands and the United Kingdom and created a $60+ million business.
Under his leadership, Octane was a multiple-year recipient of Minnesota’s “Top 100 Workplaces” awards by both Minnesota Business and the Star-Tribune.
He has won the CEO of the Year award twice from North Castle Partners.
Dennis and co-founder Tim Porth earned the regional Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® 2007 award in the consumer products division and were national award finalists.
He guided the business to its eventual sale to Nautilus, Inc. (NYSE: NLS) who purchased Octane Fitness for $115 million in December 2015 and transitioned out of his role at the end of 2016.
Dennis has previously served on boards for Cascade and Torque Fitness.
He currently serves on boards for HydroMassage and Twin Cities Lyme Foundation.
Dennis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn.
Dennis Lee active positions
| Companies | Position | Start |
|---|---|---|
North Castle Partners LLC
 North Castle Partners LLC Investment ManagersFinance North Castle Partners LLC (North Castle Partners) is a private equity firm founded in 1997 by Chip Baird. The firm is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut. | Consultant / Advisor | 01/07/2016 |
HydroMassage LLC
 HydroMassage LLC Electronics/AppliancesConsumer Durables HydroMassage LLC is a manufacturer of wellness and recovery products, including water massage beds and lounges, as well as innovative new products such as RelaxSpace wellness pods and CryoLounge+ chairs. The company is based in Clearwater, FL. The company's products have been utilized in health clubs, chiropractic offices, and spas worldwide for over 30 years, providing the benefits of massage without the time or expense required for traditional hands-on massage therapy. All of their products are manufactured in the USA at their corporate headquarters. | Director/Board Member | 01/07/2016 |
| Twin Cities Lyme Foundation | Director/Board Member | - |
Former positions of Dennis Lee
| Companies | Position | End |
|---|---|---|
Octane Fitness LLC
 Octane Fitness LLC Recreational ProductsConsumer Durables Octane Fitness LLC manufactures elliptical fitness products. Its products include standing and seated elliptical, LateralX elliptical, XT-One cross-trainer and Zero Runner machines for home and club applications. The company was founded by Dennis Lee and Timothy Porth in 2001 and is headquartered in Brooklyn Park, MN. | Chief Executive Officer | 31/12/2015 |
| BOWFLEX INC. | Corporate Officer/Principal | 09/12/2016 |
Life Fitness, Inc.
 Life Fitness, Inc. Recreational ProductsConsumer Durables Life Fitness, Inc. manufactures fitness equipment for commercial and consumer use. It also designs cardiovascular and strength-training products. The firm's products include strength systems, exercise bikes, treadmills, cross-trainers and stair-climbers. Its products are used by health and fitness centers. The company's products are sold under the brand names of Life Fitness, Life Fitness Sports, ParaBody, Essential and Hammer. The company was founded by Augustine L. Nieto in 1977 and is headquartered in Rosemont, IL. | Sales & Marketing | 30/06/2001 |
| ParaBody | Corporate Officer/Principal | - |
Performance Lacrosse Group, Inc.
 Performance Lacrosse Group, Inc. Recreational ProductsConsumer Durables Performance Lacrosse Group, Inc. manufactures lacrosse helmets and women's eye masks. Its products include, Mod Kit, hand paddles, facemask, CSE and reflective backpanels. The company was founded by Bill Brine in 1986 and is located in Liverpool, NY. | Director/Board Member | - |
Training of Dennis Lee
| Hamline University | Undergraduate Degree |
Experiences
Positions held
Connections
1st degree connections
1st degree companies
Male
Female
Members of the board
Executives
Linked companies
| Listed companies | 1 |
|---|---|
| BOWFLEX INC. | Consumer Durables |
| Private companies | 9 |
|---|---|
Torque Fitness LLC
 Torque Fitness LLC Recreational ProductsConsumer Durables Torque Fitness LLC designs and manufactures fitness equipment. It offers training systems for Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Parabody, and Sports Art. The company was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Coon Rapids, MN. | Consumer Durables |
North Castle Partners LLC
North Castle Partners LLC Investment ManagersFinance North Castle Partners LLC (North Castle Partners) is a private equity firm founded in 1997 by Chip Baird. The firm is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut. | Finance |
Life Fitness, Inc.
Life Fitness, Inc. Recreational ProductsConsumer Durables Life Fitness, Inc. manufactures fitness equipment for commercial and consumer use. It also designs cardiovascular and strength-training products. The firm's products include strength systems, exercise bikes, treadmills, cross-trainers and stair-climbers. Its products are used by health and fitness centers. The company's products are sold under the brand names of Life Fitness, Life Fitness Sports, ParaBody, Essential and Hammer. The company was founded by Augustine L. Nieto in 1977 and is headquartered in Rosemont, IL. | Consumer Durables |
Octane Fitness LLC
Octane Fitness LLC Recreational ProductsConsumer Durables Octane Fitness LLC manufactures elliptical fitness products. Its products include standing and seated elliptical, LateralX elliptical, XT-One cross-trainer and Zero Runner machines for home and club applications. The company was founded by Dennis Lee and Timothy Porth in 2001 and is headquartered in Brooklyn Park, MN. | Consumer Durables |
Performance Lacrosse Group, Inc.
Performance Lacrosse Group, Inc. Recreational ProductsConsumer Durables Performance Lacrosse Group, Inc. manufactures lacrosse helmets and women's eye masks. Its products include, Mod Kit, hand paddles, facemask, CSE and reflective backpanels. The company was founded by Bill Brine in 1986 and is located in Liverpool, NY. | Consumer Durables |
| ParaBody | |
HydroMassage LLC
HydroMassage LLC Electronics/AppliancesConsumer Durables HydroMassage LLC is a manufacturer of wellness and recovery products, including water massage beds and lounges, as well as innovative new products such as RelaxSpace wellness pods and CryoLounge+ chairs. The company is based in Clearwater, FL. The company's products have been utilized in health clubs, chiropractic offices, and spas worldwide for over 30 years, providing the benefits of massage without the time or expense required for traditional hands-on massage therapy. All of their products are manufactured in the USA at their corporate headquarters. | Consumer Durables |
| Sta Active | |
| Twin Cities Lyme Foundation |
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