Our Leadership Team
Meet the experienced professionals who guide our company and your projects.
Adam Pennington
Principal
Adam Pennington most recently served as Chief Growth Officer at Xponential Fitness, the largest global franchisor of boutique health and wellness brands, including Club Pilates, Pure Barre, StretchLab, and Lindora.
During his tenure, Adam and his team successfully managed all facets of real estate and construction, influencing the opening of over 1,800 locations nationwide.
His career spans commercial real estate lending at Bank of America and leadership roles in tech startups in Chicago, IL. His strategic insight in driving revenue growth and operational excellence has consistently delivered impactful results across various industries.
Adam lives in the Chicagoland area with his wife Jackie and two children. He enjoys hiking, fitness, and his faith, which guides his values of trust, integrity, and prioritizing people & impact.
Highlights:
- Former Chief Growth Officer at Xponential Fitness
- Managed opening of 1,800+ locations nationwide
- Background in commercial real estate lending
Notable Achievements:
- Led expansion strategy for 1,800+ franchise locations
- Managed $500M+ in real estate transactions
- Built and led high-performing cross-functional teams
Melissa Nochlin
Managing Partner
Melissa Nochlin brings over 15 years of real estate and franchise or company development experience to RSG. A Co-founder and Managing Partner, Melissa has helped launch and scale hundreds of locations across the boutique wellness and retail industries.
As both a real estate leader and franchise or company owner herself, she understands every angle of development—from site selection to design and construction to opening day. Prior to RSG, she served as VP of Real Estate at Xponential Fitness and owns two yogas studios in the Reno/Tahoe area.
Highlights:
- 15+ years in real estate and franchise or company development
- Former VP of Real Estate at Xponential Fitness
- Franchise or company owner of two yoga studios
Notable Achievements:
- Co-founded Rise Service Group
- Launched and scaled hundreds of franchise locations
- Successfully managed real estate portfolios across North America
Natalie Gehring
Real Estate Professional
With over a decade of experience in the real estate industry, Natalie Gehring brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for helping others navigate the complex world of commercial real estate.
She began her career as a commercial broker, later transitioning to an in-house real estate role at Xponential Fitness, where she spent nearly eight years supporting franchisees from diverse backgrounds.
Natalie's expertise spans site selection, lease negotiation, and market analysis, with a particular strength in identifying high-potential locations for franchise expansion.
Highlights:
- 10+ years in commercial real estate
- Former in-house real estate at Xponential Fitness
- Expert in site selection and lease negotiation
Notable Achievements:
- Supported franchisees in opening 500+ locations
- Negotiated leases for major retail and fitness brands
- Expert in market analysis and demographic profiling
Ready to work with our expert team?
Let's discuss how Rise Service Group can become your dedicated expansion partner.