The Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) continues to look to the future.
On Wednesday, the FDRA said it has a newly elected leadership team for the 2025-2027 term. New board members include Josue Solano, CEO of BBC International as chairman; Dan Friedman, chief sourcing and supply chain officer at Caleres as vice chairman, and Lisa Tucker, president of Shoe Show Inc. as treasurer.
“FDRA is a vital force in our industry, and I’m honored to help shape the future of footwear alongside such an innovative and committed leadership team,” Solano said. “From tackling tariff challenges to enhancing industry collaboration, I look forward to working on the issues that matter most to our members.”
As chairman, Solano will provide strategic oversight and vision to the FDRA. With over two decades of experience in the industry, he also has a deep understanding of global sourcing, supply chain management, and corporate strategy.
“Josue’s strategic acumen and deep industry knowledge make him the ideal leader for this moment. His commitment to innovation and his global perspective will help steer the industry through an increasingly complex business environment,” FDRA’s president and CEO Matt Priest said.
The organization’s incoming board is supported in the transition by current board members and Jennifer Bendall, the outgoing chair and current vice president, government and public affairs at Nike Inc.
Other added board members include Crocs’ senior vice president and general counsel Sara Hoverstock, Aldo’s president Jonathan Frankel, Timberland’s vice president and general manager, Americas, Gautham Rao, and Reebok’s president and CEO Todd Krinsky.
The new leadership comes at a challenging time for the footwear sector, mostly due to the uncertainty over tariffs. Last month, more than 80 companies signed an FDRA letter urging U.S. President Donald Trump to exempt shoes from tariffs. Separately, executive sentiment in the first quarter reflected concern by footwear executives over weaker shoe demand, according to an FDRA survey. And the FDRA is also working closely with Footwear Innovation Foundation (FIF), a research think tank formed by veterans in the shoe industry who evaluate new ideas and ensure that forward thinking projects push the sector forward. The FIF just launched a contest to encourage game-changing ideas.