Donnie Salum, the President and Founder, is an entrepreneur and former professional football player with more than two decades of experience in the Fitness Equipment Industry.
A Colorado native, Donnie grew up playing football at Mitchell High School in Colorado Springs. Unrecruited yet undeterred, he became a walk-on linebacker to the University of Arizona’s football team in 1986. With unmatched tenacity, Donnie earned a scholarship, led the team in tackles in 1989, and was selected the Wildcats’ co-player of the year along with cornerback Darryll Lewis.
Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1990, Donnie had an injury-ridden NFL stint and retired after his third season. Off the field, he participated in numerous charitable functions, spoke to and mentored students at 50 Tucson and Atlanta-based high schools, and regularly volunteered at Eggleston’s Children’s Hospital.
Donnie founded Fitness Gallery in 1997 and grew the business to be one of the largest in the country; Fitness Gallery became the #1 distributor of TuffStuff Fitness and the #2 distributor of TRUE Fitness products in less than three years. In 2001 and 2002, Donnie was recognized as a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year for the state of Arizona.
A close friend and mentor to many NFL superstars including Tedy Bruschi, Lance Briggs, and Scooby Wright; Donnie was introduced to Robert “Rob” Gronkowski while he was in middle school, and is credited with persuading Rob to attend his alma mater, The University of Arizona.
Over the last two decades Fitness Gallery has remained actively involved, supporting events like the Colfax Marathon and the Colorado Governor’s Council for Physical Fitness; and has received numerous awards and remained a Top 5 Distributor of TRUE Fitness and TuffStuff Fitness products worldwide.
Current role