The Stride Rite Corporation promoted Michael Metcalfe to General Manager of Saucony, and Shawn Neville to Group President, Keds and Saucony, effective immediately.
Metcalfe has been a key player in the athletic footwear industry for over two decades, with his most recent role as Senior Vice President of Sales for Saucony since the technical running brand's acquisition by Stride Rite in September 2005. Metcalfe joined Stride Rite as Senior Vice President of Sales for Keds in 2004. Previously, he spent 13 years with Reebok International, in various sales and product marketing roles, the last as Vice President of U.S. Footwear Sales and Merchandising, a $1 billion segment.
“Mike has been a tremendous asset to the Saucony team and me in helping integrate their business model into ours,” said Rick Thornton, President and COO of Stride Rite. “We are confident that Mike, with Shawn's leadership, will take the Saucony business to the next level,” he added.
As General Manager reporting to Neville, Metcalfe will oversee all major functions including operations, product development, marketing and sales. Metcalfe steps into his new role with an already in-depth knowledge of the Saucony brand; he was Vice President of Product Marketing for the performance running company during the late eighties.
Shawn Neville, President of Keds since 2004, is a well-respected industry veteran who brings a wealth of general management, sales and marketing experience to Saucony. His career consists of executive leadership roles in the worldwide athletic footwear business, including President and CEO of Footstar's athletic division and the management of Footaction, USA. Neville has held senior general management roles domestically and internationally at Reebok and senior marketing and sales positions at Reebok, Visa USA and Procter & Gamble.
“Shawn has deep experience with Saucony's target markets, proven leadership in the athletic footwear industry, and a passion for building brands,” said Thornton. “His experience in both the wholesale, retail and international athletic segments gives Shawn a unique perspective on how to expand the Saucony brand globally,” he added.
“I am looking forward to working with Mike and the entire Saucony team to continue to build the brand's leadership position in the performance running segment,” said Neville. Neville will report to Rick Thornton, President and COO of Stride Rite.
