Vibram CEO Tony Post to step down
Tony Post, CEO of Vibram USA Inc., recently announced he would step down from his position effective next month. Vibram COO Mike Gionfriddo will take the helm.
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First Keen, then Eddie Bauer, now Vibram USA, Inc. — CEOs of outdoor companies are leaving left and right.
Last week Tony Post, CEO of Vibram USA Inc., announced he would be stepping down as CEO, effective in July. Stepping into his shoes will be Mike Gionfriddo, Vibram’s current chief operating officer, who has 14 years experience with the Vibram brand.
Post didn’t give a specific reason as to why he was leaving, but said in a news release that it was the right time to move on, though it wasn’t an easy decision for him.
“I’ve really enjoyed working for Vibram and leading such a dedicated and hardworking team, and I’m so proud of all we accomplished over the last 11 years,” Post said in the release. “I am deeply grateful to the entire Vibram organization and to the retailers and customers throughout North America who have supported our brand and helped Vibram develop and broaden the category of minimalist footwear. We could not have experienced such growth, or received such broad recognition as an industry pioneer, without belief from our staff, retailers and the dedicated advocates of the brand.”
In Post’s 11 years, the company developed its signature FiveFingers shoe, sales of which, Post told SNEWS Youth Reporters in 2010, were a great help during the recession.
“In my time at Vibram, we built a movement that captivated the footwear industry and genuinely changed the lives of runners, fitness enthusiasts and consumers around the world,” Post said in a release. “After such an amazing experience, I’m now looking forward to the next adventure. I wish Mike Gionfriddo and the Vibram worldwide organization continued success in the future. It’s a great team and I’m sure the brand will continue to succeed.”
–Ana Trujillo
