Founder/ Executive Chairman

As President and CEO of The Kleingers Group, Sportworks Design’s parent company, Jim helped lead the Company into the specialty service of the athletic field and court design. He continues to support Sportworks Design’s growth by enthusiastically encouraging the talented staff to gain unparalleled expertise. This support has positioned Sportworks as a national leader in outdoor sports fields and facilities design. Jim became intimately familiar with “old-school” synthetic turf systems in college, as a member of the University of Dayton’s marching band. (Note: He would not recommend short-pile, outdoor carpet over concrete for your field, even if it is cheap!) Since then, he’s become very familiar with all the impressive new turf systems. Jim is still actively involved in Sportworks’ athletic facility design. He managed several synthetic turf design projects over the years and continues to help the team when needed, mostly in a quality assurance role.

  1. What excites you about working on sport facility projects? 
    Sport facility projects are by their nature very exciting. Sports are fun and enjoyable for both the athletes and spectators. I’m not an athlete but have a lot of experience as a spectator. There is nothing as exciting and enjoyable as watching well-matched athletes and teams compete, especially on a beautiful, well-maintained field or facility! Having an opportunity to be part of the team that creates impressive new facilities for games and events is very cool. Sports and sports facilities are a source of pride for an institution or a community, too. It’s nice to know that our facilities provide lots of people with decades of enjoyment and community pride. At Sportworks, we’ve been fortunate to have been design team members for several high-profile sports venues and facilities, including West End Stadium for FC Cincinnati, and it is both exciting and gratifying.
  2. Got any favorite quotes?
    “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.” – Zig Ziglar; “It’s gonna be big!” – JBK
  3. What was your first job?
    Delivered the Cincinnati Enquirer in our neighborhood in Middletown. It is a morning paper, so I got good at getting up at 5:00 am every morning from 7th grade through high school.
  4. What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
    A new 1967 Schwinn Collegiate Sport 5-speed bike. It is gold and cost me $66. I still have it.