Aerosoles names retail footwear veteran as its new chief

Edison, N.J. -- Aerosoles has appointed a retail and footwear veteran with more than two decades of experience as CEO.



The company named retail and footwear industry veteran executive R. Shawn Neville as CEO, effective Sept. 8. He takes over from interim CEO Caryn Lerner, operating partner of Palladin Consumer Retail Partners, which acquired privately owned Aerosoles in June 2014.



Neville comes to Aerosoles following six years at Avery Dennison Corp., leading its $1.6 billion retail branding and information solutions division as president.



Previously, he spent four years as a senior officer of Stride Rite and president of its Keds division, after five years with Footstar, as president and CEO of its athletic division, and he also served in the same role with Footaction USA. He also served as CEO and president of team sports apparel company, Boathouse Sports.



In the 1990s Neville spent seven years with Reebok International, finishing his tenure as senior VP and general manager of Reebok North America and president of Reebok France.

Neville’s initial key initiatives in his new role will include strengthening Aerosoles' go-to-market strategy, branding, store design, merchandising, product development, e/m-commerce and overall expansion strategy.



"I am very excited to be joining a company and brand with such a strong heritage, innovative proprietary technologies, and commitment to delivering fun stylish products to its consumers," stated Neville. "The brand has tremendous potential to become a powerful lifestyle brand rooted in helping women look and feel great."



Aerosoles operates 120 U.S. retail and outlet stores, and is also sold at major department and specialty stores.