<span style="color: #808080;">Jon Epstein, president, and chief global commercial of Fila North America died on Friday. He was 63. His passing came a week after heart surgery, according to a statement. He died near his home in St. Louis, MO.
Epstein was the first CEO and president of Fila from 1998 to 2003. He returned as North American president in 2007 after Sport Brands International Ltd. had sold the brand to its Korean licensee, Fila Korea.
Epstein has earned credit for Fila’s recent turnaround in North America by balancing sales into large volume mid-tier and off-price retailers while steadily restoring the brand’s equity through streetwear label collaborations that brought Fila to Urban Outfitters and other influential retailers.
“In Jon Epstein, Fila has lost a great friend, leader, and champion of the brand, not just in the U.S. but worldwide,” said Gene Yoon, chairman of Fila. “His entrepreneurial spirit was a perfect match for our vision of growth, and his passion for both our heritage of authenticity and our potential as a brand innovator drove FILA’s resurgence over the past decade.”
Chairman Yoon continued: “Jon and I worked together for more than 30 years. He and his wife Carol have been like family to me. His presence in the Fila family and my personal life is impossible to quantify. I have lost a trusted ally and lifelong friend.”
According to Stl. Jewish Light, “Jon’s life was a living example of a “Mensch,” who cared so deeply for all his employees, his friends, and his family. His benevolence and philanthropy was prolific, unassuming and often under the radar. He believed deeply in the triumph of the human spirit. He was an optimistic, resilient, a visionary, a mentor, and a driven leader. Jon was selfless, and he always was helping others.”
Before Fila, Epstein worked at Adidas America for 21 years, including a national sales manager. He graduated with a degree in business administration from Boston University, where he played Division I soccer.
Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Estabrook will assume the role of acting president of Fila North America. Lead photo courtesy Fila, Second photo via @filamxoficial
