Newton Running, the natural running footwear brand, appointed Keith Simmons, founder of XTERRA Wetsuits and owner of the Inside Out Sports triathlon store, as the company’s new president. Former president Stephen Gartside has moved into the position of COO.
Gartside is now charged with maximizing the company’s operational efficiencies and Simmons will oversee Newton Running’s sales and marketing efforts.
“'Newton continues to grow domestically and internationally and we’re confident in Keith’s ability lead the company into the future,” states Jerry Lee, CEO and co-founder of Newton Running. “And Stephen's comprehensive business experience, combined with his passion for running and endurance sports, makes him a valuable member of the Newton team.”
Simmons has more than 20 years’ experience in the sporting-goods industry, working in retail, sales, marketing, design and manufacturing. In 2001, Simmons founded XTERRA Wetsuits and built the company from start-up phase to the leading market position. Prior to XTERRA, Simmons was the president and owner of Inside Out Sports in Richmond, Virginia, one of the East Coast’s first triathlon/running stores. Simmons has competed in hundreds of running and triathlons, including six Ironman events.
Simmons met Danny Abshire 10 years ago and was impressed with the early Newton prototypes he tested.
“I worked with Danny Abshire to help eight-time Ironman Champion Paula Newby-Fraser train for her last win at Ironman Hawaii,” says Simmons. “I was immediately impressed by Danny's knowledge of biomechanics and footwear.”
Gartside directed teams for AT&T, was a founding member of Terabeam, and, from 2003 to 2007, was CEO for the Colorado-based software company Evolving Systems, where he oversaw the company’s expansion to become a global supplier of wireless industry solutions. Gartside is a life-long endurance athlete who has completed an Ironman and over two-dozen marathons.
