The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) appointed its new leadership team for the term running June 2023 to June 2025.
- Jennifer Bendall, VP of government and public affairs at Nike, will serve as chairman of FDRA’s board of directors;
- Josue Solano, president and CEO of BBC International, was appointed as vice chairman; and
- Dan Friedman, chief sourcing officer at Caleres, will serve as treasurer.
As Board chair, Bendall will provide strategic leadership to FDRA, representing the collective footwear industry, including retailers, brands, and manufacturers. FDRA said Bendall “brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked in advocacy and public policy for several decades.”
FDRA President and CEO Matt Priest congratulated Bendall on her appointment, “Jennifer has been a dear friend to me and a tremendous advocate for our industry for well over a decade. I’m thrilled to have her as our new chairman, and I look forward to working with her to continue to drive positive change throughout the industry on a variety of different initiatives, including the digital economy, sustainability, and trade. With Jennifer at the helm, I have no doubt that her visionary leadership and remarkable capabilities will steer FDRA towards new heights of success.”
Outgoing FDRA Chairman and current Shoe Carnival Vice Chairman Cliff Sifford congratulated the incoming team, saying, “Today, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Jennifer Bendall and the new FDRA leadership on their well-deserved appointment. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Chairman of FDRA, and I have full confidence that Jennifer’s exceptional leadership skills and dedication to our industry will propel the organization to new heights.”
