Draft:William J. Christy

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William J. Christy (Bill)
Born
United States
NationalityAmerican
EducationUniversity of Central Florida (BS/BA)
Alma materRollins College, Crummer Graduate School of Business (MBA)
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, sports executive, higher education trustee
Known forCLASH Endurance, Cognitive Kinetics, University of Central Florida Board of Trustees


William J. Christy is an American entrepreneur, sports executive, and higher education trustee. He is best known as the President and Chief Executive Officer of CLASH Endurance, a sports media and endurance event company, and as a Trustee of the University of Central Florida (UCF). Christy has also served in leadership roles across the medical device industry, including as Executive Chairman of Cognitive Kinetics, Inc. and as a founding director of Ethicon Endo-Surgery, later acquired by Johnson & Johnson. In 2025, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), where he contributes to national higher education policy and governance.[1]

Early Life and Education

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Christy grew up in Florida, where he developed a strong interest in both science and athletics. He attended the University of Central Florida, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.[2] He later earned an MBA in Finance from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College, where he was recognized for outstanding contributions to the program.[3] Christy’s lifelong interest in endurance athletics would later influence his business ventures in sports media and event production.

Career

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CLASH Endurance Logo

CLASH Endurance

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Christy is the President and CEO of CLASH Endurance, a sports media and endurance event company that produces triathlons, mountain bike, and gravel races at iconic American speedways. The company’s events have aired on NBC Sports, Fox Sports 1, and Peacock to more than 120 countries globally, and have featured Olympians, professional triathletes, and thousands of age-group competitors.[4] CLASH introduced the “Daytona Distance”[5] format—an innovative lap-based race design combining professional and community participation—that helped increase the sport’s television appeal,[6]

CLASH Endurance was innovative in its utilization of legendary NASCAR Tracks to reduce the event footprint and provide a festival experience. Featured tracks have included Daytona International Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and Watkins Glen International. CLASH Endurance continues to innovate, expanding into gravel bike racing in the Fall of 2025.

CLASH Endurance Daytona Pro Bike 2021
CLASH Endurance Triathlon TV Broadcast
CLASH Endurance Miami Pro Bike 2022

Featured Sports Content

Medical Device Industry

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Before founding CLASH Endurance, Bill Christy built a multi-decade career in the medical device industry and was instrumental in development and commercialization of new technologies. He founded and serves as Executive Chairman of Cognitive Kinetics, Inc., an orthopedic and spine technology company. Christy previously held CEO roles at several medical device firms, including:

  • Spine Matrix, Inc. (2009–2013) – led clinical trials and corporate restructuring.
  • AOI Medical, Inc. (2005–2009) – raised venture capital and listed the company on the London AIM Exchange.
  • Ortheon Medical, Inc. – developed tendon repair technologies.

He was also a founder and director of Ethicon Endo-Surgery, later acquired by Johnson & Johnson, and was involved in the sale of several other medtech startups, including ESD Medical (to U.S. Surgical Corp.) and Synergistic Medical Technologies (to Ethicon Endo-Surgery).[7]

Higher Education and Governance

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Christy was appointed to the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees in 2021 and reappointed in 2025 by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. His term extends through January 6, 2030, pending Florida Senate confirmation.[8] At UCF, he serves on multiple committees, including:

  • Academic Excellence and Student Success
  • Audit and Compliance (Chair)
  • Budget and Finance (Chair)
  • Governance (Vice Chair)
  • Facilities and Infrastructure
  • Strategic Partnerships and Advancement
  • Ad Hoc Strategic Planning[9]

He also serves as Vice Chair of the UCF Athletics Association Board of Directors and contributes to strategic oversight of collegiate athletics programs.[10]

On July 15, 2025 Mr. Christy was appointed to the Board of Directors of The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB)[11], which is dedicated to strengthening strategic governance of college and university boards nationally.

Summary of Accomplishments

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Christy’s career spans healthcare innovation, sports media development, and higher education governance:

  • **Healthcare innovation** – Pioneered early advancements in minimally invasive surgical technology through Ethicon Endo-Surgery and other ventures. Took AOI Medical public on the London AIM exchange and led multiple successful medtech acquisitions.[12]
  • **Endurance sports leadership** – Founded CLASH Endurance, elevating triathlon and multisport racing through national television partnerships and innovative spectator-friendly formats.[13]
  • **Higher education service** – Serves as trustee and athletics board vice chair at UCF and as a national board member with the Association of Governing Boards, contributing to university policy and governance nationwide.[1]

Personal Life

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A long-distance triathlete and IRONMAN finisher himself, Christy resides in Daytona Beach, Florida with his wife Lesa France Kennedy[14] who is the Vice-Chair of NASCAR. He frequently competes in endurance events.[15]

See Also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "AGB Welcomes Five Influential Leaders to its Board of Directors". AGB.org. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  2. ^ "UCF Board of Trustees – Official Profile: Bill Christy". University of Central Florida. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  3. ^ "UCF Board of Trustees – Bill Christy Biography". University of Central Florida. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  4. ^ "CLASH Endurance Partners with NBC for Broadcast Coverage". Endurance Sportswire. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  5. ^ ""Daytona Distance"". YouTube. 15 September 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  6. ^ "CLASH Endurance Expands Daytona Triathlon". Triathlete Magazine. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  7. ^ "UCF Board of Trustees – Official Profile: Bill Christy". University of Central Florida. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  8. ^ "Gov. DeSantis reappoints Republican donor William Christy to UCF Board". Florida Politics. 2025-03-15. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  9. ^ "UCF Board of Trustees Committees". University of Central Florida. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  10. ^ "AGB Panel Discussion: NIL Policies and University Governance". AGB.org. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  11. ^ "AGB". 15 July 2025. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
  12. ^ "UCF Board of Trustees – Official Profile: Bill Christy". University of Central Florida. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  13. ^ "CLASH Endurance Expands Daytona Triathlon". Triathlete Magazine. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  14. ^ "Lesa France-Kennedy". Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  15. ^ "CLASH Endurance – Leadership". CLASH Endurance. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
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