Patrick Cunnane
{{short description|American business person}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Patrick Cunnane
| image =
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| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|06|26}}
| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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| education =
| alma_mater = Temple University BA History
| occupation = Business Executive
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| employer = Yuba Bicycles
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| known_for = Advanced Sports Enterprises CEO
| notable_works =
| spouse = Madeleine Dean
| children = 3
| father = Bill Cunnane
| mother = Joan Cunnane
| relatives =
| family =
}}
Patrick "PJ" Cunnane (born June 26, 1958){{cite book |title=Patrick J Cunnane in the U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1 |date=2010 |publisher=Ancestry.com Operations, Inc |location=Lehi, UT |edition=U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1}} is a bicycle business executive from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cunnane was the CEO of Advanced Sports International which owned five bicycle brands under the name Advanced Sports International formerly Advanced Sports Enterprises (ASE). He oversaw the distribution of 450 different bicycle models and the acquisition and operation of the largest bicycle retail chain in the United States. He left ASE in 2019 and is now an executive with Yuba Bicycles.
Early life
Cunnane was born in Philadelphia in 1958 to parents Bill and Joan Cunnane. He began working at a bicycle shop when he was 12 years old.{{cite news |last1=Miles |first1=Gary |title=Joan Cunnane, 88, was a political activist who championed human rights |url=https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/joan-cunnane-covid-coronavirus-obituary-20200523.html |access-date=11 December 2021 |publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=23 May 2020}} He attended Montgomery County Community College and then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Temple University in 1990.{{cite news |title=Distinguished alumni slated for induction into MCCC’s Hall of Fame |url=https://www.readingeagle.com/2015/10/20/distinguished-alumni-slated-for-induction-into-mcccs-hall-of-fame/ |access-date=11 December 2021 |agency=Reading Eagle |publisher=MediaNews Group, Inc. |date=20 October 2015}}
Career
In 2008, Cunnane, was the president of Advanced Sports, Incorporated. The company managed Fuji Bikes, SE Bikes and BMX Bikes. In 2009, he oversaw the purchase of Oval Concepts which was a parts maker with patented technology.{{cite news |title=Advanced Sports Purchases Oval Concepts |url=https://www.bicycleretailer.com/north-america/2009/12/09/advanced-sports-purchases-oval-concepts#.YbZ8efHMJdA |access-date=12 December 2021 |publisher=Bicycle Retailer |date=9 December 2009}} In 2010, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News chose him as its “Executive of the Year”.{{cite web |last1=LoBasso |first1=Randy |title=Gala Spotlight: Pat Cunnane |url=https://bicyclecoalition.org/gala-spotlight-pat-cunnane/ |website=Bicycle Coalition |publisher=Bicycle Coalition |access-date=27 November 2022}}
In 2015, he added Phat Cycles to the company.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bicycleretailer.com/north-america/2015/03/16/asi-buys-phat-cycles-and-sterling-bike-brands|title=ASI buys Phat Cycles and Sterling bike brands|last=|first=|date=|publisher=Bicycle Retailer|access-date=2016-08-25}} In 2016, Cunnane oversaw the acquisition of Performance Bicycle: which was the largest bicycle retail company in America{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Peter Van |title=Pedaling High End Bikes |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2008/03/03/story5.html |access-date=11 December 2021 |publisher=Philadelphia Business Journal |date=28 February 2008}}{{cite news |last1=Sutton |first1=Mark |title=Advanced Sports International buys Performance Bicycle portfolio |url=https://cyclingindustry.news/advanced-sports-international-buys-performance-bicycle-portfolio/ |access-date=12 December 2021 |publisher=Cycling Industry News |date=17 August 2016}} The company was established in 1998 and went on to distribute 450 different bicycles under the brands: Fuji (bicycles), SE Bikes, Kestrel, Breezer and Phat Cycles.{{cite news |last1=George |first1=John |title=Northeast Philadelphia Bike Supplier Shifts into High Gear with $7M Stock Sale |url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/philadelphia-bike-supplier-stock-sale/124315/ |access-date=11 December 2021 |publisher=NBC Philadelphia |date=10 September 2016}}
Cunnane went on to manage more bicycle brands as the CEO of Advanced Sports Enterprises which owned the distributor Advanced Sports International until the company was in bankruptcy in 2018.{{cite news |title=Yuba Bicycles names Pat Cunnane as president and COO |url=https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2020/12/16/yuba-bicycles-names-pat-cunnane-president-and-coo#.YbQDT_HMJdA |access-date=11 December 2021 |publisher=Bicycle Retailer |date=16 December 2020}} The business faced pressure from Trump administration import tariffs.{{cite news |title=PeopleForBikes Announces Speakers and Agenda for Virtual Bicycle Leadership Conference and In-Person Electric Bicycle Summit |url=https://www.bicycleretailer.com/announcements/2021/10/05/peopleforbikes-announces-speakers-and-agenda-virtual-bicycle-leadership#.YbQMKvHMJdA |access-date=11 December 2021 |publisher=Bicycle Retailer |date=5 October 2021}} Eventually there was a cascade of store and plant closures related to the ASE bankruptcy. The company was sold to a Chinese firm called Active Cycles in 2018. Cunnane stayed on through 2019 to assist with the new ownership.{{cite news |last1=Ohnesorge |first1=Lauren |title=2 years after acquisition, Chapel Hill bike retailer files for bankruptcy, plans store closures |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2018/11/19/2-years-after-acquisition-chapel-hill-bike.html |access-date=11 December 2021 |agency=Triangle Business Journal |publisher=Biz Journals |date=19 November 2018}}
In 2020, Yuba bicycles named Cunnane president of Yuba Bicycles North American operations and COO of its global business. In 2019, Cunnane was a consultant for the company.{{cite news |last1=Sheldon |first1=Liberty |title=Pat Cunnane joins Yuba as new President and COO |url=https://cyclingindustry.news/yuba-bicycles-appoints-pat-cunnane/ |access-date=8 February 2022 |publisher=Cycling Industry News |date=17 December 2020}} He now serves on the board of directors for the organization PeopleForBikes.
Personal life
Cunnane's is married to Congresswoman Madeleine Dean.{{cite news |last1=DiStefano |first1=Joseph N. |title=US Rep Dean's husband leaves Advanced Sports |url=https://www.inquirer.com/business/phillydeals/us-rep-deans-husband-leaves-advanced-sports-its-chinese-creditors-help-save-philly-jobs-20190305.html |access-date=11 December 2021 |publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=5 March 2019}} Together they have three sons.{{cite web |last1=Gillette |first1=Sam |title='You Think, "How Is This Possible?"': Lawmaker and Her Son Open Up About His Harrowing Addiction and Recovery |url=https://people.com/politics/rep-madeleine-dean-son-harry-on-his-addiction-and-recovery/ |website=People |publisher=Meridith Corporation |access-date=11 December 2021}}
References
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{{American bicycle manufacturers}}
{{cycling}}
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