Aerosoles announced that retail and footwear industry veteran executive R. Shawn Neville has been appointed company CEO. Neville, who will begin on September 8, will take over from interim CEO, Caryn Lerner, operating partner of Palladin Consumer Retail Partners, LLC, which acquired privately owned Aerosoles in June 2014.
Neville's initial key initiatives will include strengthening Aerosoles' go-to-market strategy, branding, store design, merchandising, product development, e/m-commerce, and overall expansion strategy.
With extensive global retail and brand development experience, including over two decades in the footwear sector, Neville comes to Aerosoles following six years at Avery Dennison Corp., leading its $1.6 billion retail branding and information solutions division as president. Previously, he spent four years as a senior officer of Stride Rite and president of its Keds division after five years with Footstar, as president and CEO of its athletic division and the same role with Footaction USA. Most recently, Neville served as CEO and president of team sports apparel company, Boathouse Sports.
In the 1990s, Neville spent seven years with Reebok International, finishing his tenure as senior VP and general manager of Reebok North America and president of Reebok France. Other positions include executive marketing roles with Visa USA, and marketing and sales roles with Procter and Gamble, where he began his career after earning his B.S. with honors in Hotel/Restaurant Management and Finance from the University of Denver.
“Shawn is a results-oriented leader with the strategic expertise and management skills to take Aerosoles to the next level,” stated Palladin Consumer Retail Partners Operating Partner Caryn Lerner. “We are excited to have him aboard and look forward to working together in the months ahead.”
“I am very excited to be joining a company and brand with such a strong heritage, innovative proprietary technologies, and commitment to delivering fun stylish products to its consumers,” said Neville. “The brand has tremendous potential to become a powerful lifestyle brand rooted in helping women look and feel great. I look forward to developing a long-term strategy in partnership with our parent company, Palladin Consumer Retail Partners.”
