Five Ten, a world leader in premium rock climbing shoes and high-friction footwear, is pleased to announce that John Connelly has joined Five Ten as international sales manager. Connelly is a long-time shoe-guru, with an impeccable industry pedigree. For the past 20 years, Connelly has specialized in sales, marketing and category development for a variety of first-rate companies, including Montrail/One Sport, Tecnica, Vasque, and, most recently, Zamberlan. Before he embarked on the sales/marketing side of the business, he owned and operated a chain of specialty stores in Richmond, Virginia.

Connelly will be working out of his home in Bozeman, Montana, where he lives with his wife, Laurie, his 8-year-old son, and his 3-year-old daughter. Charles Cole, Five Ten president, is looking forward to working closely with Connelly. Explains Cole, “We now have all of the key elements in place for addressing price, quality, delivery and value-added relationships with our customers. Not only do we lead the market in innovation, but we've got the top brand, the top athletes, top advertising, and the top rubber, and now we have the top sales manager.”

Connelly is excited about his teaming-up with Five Ten as well. “I'm very happy to have this opportunity,” says Connelly. “Five Ten has great brand equity and tremendous potential. I've always thought Five Ten and Stealth had the best and coolest ads. My goal is to grow our core rock shoe business and help the brand evolve into a broader, technically inspired performance footwear brand.”

Both Cole and Connelly are excited about several new products which will be debuting in the coming months, especially a brand new Stealth rubber compound that will redefine friction and performance.