The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) has announced a new executive leadership team to guide the footwear industry’s business and trade association over the next two years. The team was approved at the recently held FDRA’s virtual board meeting and took effect June 1, 2021. FDRA is the footwear industry’s business and trade association.
Cliff Sifford, vice chairman and CEO at Shoe Carnival, has been selected to serve as the chairman of FDRA. Sifford has served in various leadership positions with FDRA for several years and his elevation from FDRA vice chairman was unanimous. Jennifer Bendall, vice president of government and public affairs at Nike, will now serve as FDRA’s vice chairman after having served as treasurer. Josue Solano, CEO at BBC International, will take the helm as FDRA’s treasurer. FDRA’s most recent past chairman, Mike Jeppesen, formerly of Wolverine Worldwide, will also serve as an ex-officio member of the FDRA executive committee, FDRA said in a media statement.
“I am honoured to take the helm of our industry’s most effective, innovative and collaborative organisation. There has been no greater tool to serve the industry during these unprecedented times than FDRA. Our industry is changing dramatically and FDRA continues to be the platform by which companies get vital information and can work together to solve common issues and challenges. We will continue to find new ways to engage and educate the industry on a variety of issues to increase efficiencies, driving our members tremendous value from design to retail. If you’re not a member of FDRA, join us. There has never been a greater membership value proposition than there is now,” Sifford said in a statement.
