Fila Footwear VP bags 2012 'SGB 40 under 40' award

Every year, SGB recognizes 40 highly accomplished industry leaders who have made a significant impact on the sporting goods industry. The honorees were selected by a panel including SportsOneSource analysts, editors and industry executives who reviewed more than 400 nominations from across the industry.

“We are elated that Mark has been recognized as one of the best and brightest in the sporting goods industry,” said Gene Yoon, Chairman of Fila. “Mark is a valued member of the Fila team whose significant contributions to the brand have helped Fila USA experience remarkable growth each of the last four years.

“His leadership of the Advanced Concepts team and development of commercially successful performance footwear is of the utmost importance to the growth of the company on a global level.”

"These awards are a way to recognize the great work done by younger leaders in our industry," said James Hartford, president, CEO of The SportsOneSource Group, which publishes the SGB trade publication.

"The extraordinary and diverse talent nominated again this year made it difficult to narrow the list to just forty people. We drew very strong support from prior honorees and other industry leaders to select a prestigious group of individuals and it is our pleasure to honor the next generation of leaders."

Mark Eggert joined Fila USA in 2005 as the Senior Footwear Designer after stints at both Puma and New Balance and was promoted to Director of Footwear Design after Fila Korea’s acquisition of the global Fila business in 2007.

Over the last six years, Mark has been instrumental in the resuscitation of Fila’s footwear business both in the US and worldwide. Under Mark’s creative leadership, Fila USA has successfully and profitably expanded category offerings to include basketball, performance, running and street wear styles.

In early 2012, Eggert was promoted to the newly created position of Vice President of Footwear Design & Advanced Concepts. His leadership of the cross-functional and international Advanced Concepts Group has led to the introduction of several internationally successful performance styles.

He has also been instrumental in a number of Fila USA’s footwear collaborations including those with the rap artist Nas, Jeff Staple, Classic Kicks and Alife Rivington Club. He also devotes time to mentoring young footwear designers and developers.

Eggert will be honored in the July issue of SGB, on the SGB 40 Under 40 website and at the Awards event later this summer.

Fila