Draft:Case Lawrence (Republican)

Case Lawrence (born October 2, 1972) is an American entrepreneur, businessman, and attorney. Lawrence is the founder of Sky Zone (formerly CircusTrix),[1] the largest developer, operator, and franchisor of trampoline parks globally,[2][3] and serves on the company's Board of Directors.[4]

Early Life and Education

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Lawrence was born in Tucson, Arizona,[5] to Laurel Stott and Larry R. Lawrence, a former General Authority Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[6] From 1991 to 1993, he served as a missionary for the church in Budapest, Hungary.[7] He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1997 and obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Duke Law School in 2000.[8]

Professional Career

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After law school, Lawrence worked for Venture Law Group in Silicon Valley during the dot-com bubble, participating in legal work for several emerging online businesses.[9] In 2004, he founded CargoBay, a real estate investing company that catered to small businesses, which ceased operations during the Great Recession.[10]

In 2011, Lawrence founded CircusTrix, which later rebranded as Sky Zone. The company became the largest developer, operator, and franchisor of trampoline parks globally,[11] operating over 320 facilities and employing more than 10,000 individuals.[12][13]

Lawrence introduced innovations such as ninja parks and Cirque du Soleil-style attractions in his parks.[14] He supported the G-tramp freestyle trampolining movement and other initiatives that fueled the growth of indoor extreme recreation.[15][16]

Lawrence transitioned out of the CEO role in 2019 and joined the company's board of directors.[17] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sky Zone parks faced significant closures, but the company eventually recovered.[18][19] Inc. 5000 (CircusTrix) – Various Rankings (2017-2020)[20]

Adjunct Professor

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Since April 2020, Lawrence has been an adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship at the BYU Marriott School of Business, mentoring students and helping them develop their startup ideas.[21][22]

Political Candidate

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On January 4, 2024, Lawrence declared his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives to replace Representative John Curtis in Utah's 3rd Congressional District.[23][24][25][26] He participated in the Republican primary debate for Utah's 3rd Congressional District.[27]

References

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  1. ^ "USA: Fernando Eiroa Appointed New CEO of CircusTrix - EuroAmusement Professional". www.eap-magazin.de. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  2. ^ CircusTrix (2018-02-01). "CircusTrix Acquires Sky Zone, Creating the Largest Indoor Active Recreation and Trampoline Park Company in the World". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  3. ^ CircusTrix (2018-08-22). "CircusTrix Builds 300th Park, Reinforces Leadership Role in Indoor Recreation Industry". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  4. ^ "Entrepreneurship Founders - Case M. Lawrence - BYU Marriott School of Business". marriott.byu.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  5. ^ "Case Lawrence". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  6. ^ "Elder Larry R. Lawrence". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  7. ^ "LinkedIn". LinkedIn.com. March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  8. ^ "Entrepreneurship Founders - Case M. Lawrence - BYU Marriott School of Business". marriott.byu.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  9. ^ Pioneering Paths: From Silicon Valley to Public Service with Case Lawrence, 27 February 2024, retrieved 2024-03-19
  10. ^ "January 9 Breakfast Meeting with Case Lawrence". www.acg.org. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  11. ^ CircusTrix (2018-02-01). "CircusTrix Acquires Sky Zone, Creating the Largest Indoor Active Recreation and Trampoline Park Company in the World". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  12. ^ "CircusTrix Pounces on Operator of Indoor Trampoline Parks". WSJ. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  13. ^ "Provo's CircusTrix expands 'extreme recreation' empire". Deseret News. 2023-12-21. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  14. ^ Azab, A. R.; Mahmoud, W. S.; Basha, M. A.; Hassan, S. M.; Morgan, E. N.; Elsayed, A. E.; Kamel, F. H.; Elnaggar, R. K. (2022-03-26). "Distinct effects of trampoline-based stretch-shortening cycle exercises on muscle strength and postural control in children with Down syndrome: a randomized controlled study". European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 26 (6): 1952–1962. doi:10.26355/eurrev_202203_28343. ISSN 2284-0729. PMID 35363345.
  15. ^ Ketteler, Judi (2018-08-07). "Kaboom! Cody! Rudi! Young Flippers Embrace Gtramp, a New Sport for the Instagram Set". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  16. ^ Ketteler, Judi (2019-01-11). "Inside the Rise of GTramp, the High-Flying Sport That Was Born on Instagram". LAmag - Culture, Food, Fashion, News & Los Angeles. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  17. ^ "USA: Fernando Eiroa Appointed New CEO of CircusTrix - EuroAmusement Professional". www.eap-magazin.de. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  18. ^ Masunaga, Samantha (2021-11-16). "Fill a room with trampolines and hope for the best? The up-and-down story of trampoline parks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  19. ^ Sky Zone. "Sky Zone Chief Executive Officer Shares Vision and Expansion Plans for Growing Brand". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  20. ^ "Here are the 115 Utah companies listed on the Inc. 5000". Deseret News. 2023-12-22. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  21. ^ "Case Lawrence". BYU Marriott School of Business. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  22. ^ "Bouncing Back from Failure". BYU Marriott Stories. 2022-02-07. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  23. ^ "Declaration of Candidacy" (PDF). vote.utah.gov. January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  24. ^ "Case for Congress". Case for Congress. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  25. ^ "Utah businessman first to submit signatures for 3rd Congressional District ballot". Deseret News. 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  26. ^ Drachman, Matthew (2024-03-22). ""We have gotten away from regular order"; Case Lawrence shares vision for U.S. House". UVU REVIEW. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  27. ^ "Utah congress Republican primary debate". AP News. Retrieved 2024-06-24.