Footwear Specialties, Int'l, parent company of Nautilus Safety Footwear, SkidBuster Shoes, and Third Watch Footwear, has hired industry veteran Don Colbert as its Regional V.P. of Sales – Northeast Division. He will be responsible for the Mid-Atlantic region and New England, and will focus on expanding the company's retail accounts in his territory, as well as manage the sales force from his office in Baltimore, Maryland.

“Don Colbert is a distinguished footwear industry veteran,” said Wayne Elsey, President and CEO of FSI. “He rose through the ranks as a sales rep with an exemplary record to become a District Manager. He will play a vital role in bringing the customer's experience to FSI, as well as expand our brands into more retail accounts,” he said.

Colbert comes to FSI from a long tenure at Stride Rite, the popular footwear company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Stride Rite manufacturers such brands as Keds, Grasshoppers, Sperry, Stride Rite Children's, and Tommy Hilfiger. As District Manager, Colbert managed personnel and accounts from Maryland to South Carolina.

Colbert brings over 20 years industry experience to FSI, including recent experience with industrial accounts and getting his brands included in various 'shoemobiles,' or mobile retail locations specifically targeting large industrial employers.

“My goals for FSI are to grow our business through our existing distribution network as well as new distribution channels,” Colbert said. “I want to show these dealers how perfectly we fit in with their business strategy,” he said.