Tom Welter is the chief operating officer of Empower Brands where he leads the strategic direction and overall culture of Empower’s brands, building a team of world-class support and providing guidance to accomplish strategic business goals. Before Empower, he was the CEO of privately-held Clean Streak Ventures, chief operating officer at the 1,200-unit global wellness company Lift Brands and senior vice president for 24 Hour Fitness.

Welter has vast experience working in both private and publicly traded companies and is considered a multi–unit expert. His experience includes leading global teams with over 1,000 units and over $1B in revenues. Welter has worked with leadership teams at PepsiCo, YUM Brands, 24 Hour Fitness and Lift Brands and has extensive experience in multiple franchising categories.

He is a member of the NFL Alumni Association and active in their mission, “Caring for Kids,” as well as a supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the American Heart Association.

A 1982 graduate from Yankton High School in Yankton, South Dakota, Welter earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He was a student-athlete as a Cornhusker football player, earning Academic All-American and All-Conference honors while playing for Hall of Fame coach Dr. Tom Osborne. He and his wife, Louise, have two adult children and two grandchildren and reside in Richmond, Virginia.

Entrepreneurship Advisory Board

Rick Bettger

Charlie Colón

Mary Lynn Fernau

Angela Garbacz

Emily Kist

Chad Mariska

Erica Wassinger

Tom Welter

Lizz Whitacre

John Wirtz