Irv Cohen
President
APOGEE Wellness

 

As president of American International Lifestyles (AIL), Irv Cohen brings a 30-year record of executive leadership and strategic financial expertise to the company. Parent company of APOGEE Wellness and owner of America’s premier rugby event, the USA Sevens International Rugby Tournament, AIL operates a portfolio of brands for healthy living and employs over 200 people.

Mr. Cohen and his co-founders launched APOGEE Wellness, a fully integrated health and wellness company synonymous with healthy lifestyles, fitness and wellness education, with the opening of their flagship Pilates & Wellness Center in 2009. APOGEE Wellness wholly owns and operates a portfolio of wellness companies including APOGEE Wellness Centers and Studios, Power Pilates, Pilates-Pro.com and Myong Private Label Gourmet.

Mr. Cohen is also Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of DHS Technologies LLC, the leading manufacturer and distributor of high-tech, soft-walled shelter systems. With sales in excess of $300 million, DHS Technologies has increased revenue by fivefold under Mr. Cohen’s leadership.

Responsible for building world-class businesses for global financial organizations throughout his career, Mr. Cohen has held numerous senior management positions. Previously Cohen served as President of J.P. Morgan Treasury Technologies Corporation; Managing Director of ABN AMRO, Inc.; Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Lehman Brothers Fixed Income business and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Barclays Bank, North America.

Mr. Cohen started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He holds a bachelors degree from Brooklyn College, an Advanced Professional Certificate in Finance from New York University and an MBA in Accounting from the Pace University Graduate School of Business.

A resident of White Plains, NY, and Tampa, FL, Mr. Cohen brings visionary leadership along with a history of achievement in new businesses development to AIL. He is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and recipient of the organization's Award of Honor. He is also a member of the American Institute for Certified Public Accountants and the Association for Financial Professionals.

Mr. Cohen serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, the Board of Directors of the Tampa Bay Partnership, the MIS Advisory Board of the University of South Florida College of Business, the Board of MTS Medication Technologies and the Board of the Florida Council on Economic Education. Additionally, he is a Board Trustee of the Tampa Museum of Art, serves as Chairman of the Florida Financial Services Cluster Initiative (FFSCI) and has actively supported the American Heart Association and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

An avid education supporter, Mr. Cohen serves on the Board of the Council for Educational Changes, the Board for the Hillsborough Education Foundation and the Dean’s Advisory Board of the University of South Florida College of Business Administration. Additionally, he was instrumental in implementation of a multi-year CEO/Principal partnership program with the Annenberg Council for Educational Change PASS (Partnership to Advance School Success).