Staff Bios

Andy Polk
Senior Vice President
Executive Director, Footwear Innovation Foundation

Andy Polk serves as Senior Vice President at FDRA. Widely recognized as a thought and innovation leader, strategist, and communicator in the global footwear industry, Andy leads FDRA’s sustainability and innovation initiatives, helping brands digitize their supply chains through 3D design, development, and advanced manufacturing while driving practical solutions to reduce environmental impact. He oversees the association’s communications, marketing, research, events, member engagement, and outreach, while spearheading the development of new products, services, and professional development programs that help footwear companies navigate the industry’s most pressing challenges.

In addition to his role at FDRA, Andy founded and directs the Footwear Innovation Foundation, a knowledge hub and idea accelerator focused on the future of footwear. He is co-host of The Shoe-In Show, the industry’s leading podcast exploring trends, technology, and the business of footwear. Known for his ability to translate complex global shifts into actionable industry insight, Andy advises senior executives and Fortune 500 leaders on strategy, supply chains, and emerging market dynamics.

Before joining FDRA, Andy served on Capitol Hill for U.S. Representative Sue Myrick as Foreign Policy and National Security Advisor and previously as Director of Communications and Public Affairs, where he led global communications strategy, speechwriting, and media campaigns. Andy holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics (LSE), where his research focused on China’s rise and its implications for global power dynamics. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Political Science from Gardner-Webb University.

Outside of work, Andy is an avid global traveler and devoted supporter of Tottenham Hotspur, often planning trips around football matches. He is an active Rotarian, and lives in Northern Virginia with his wife Kelly and their daughters. →connect with Andy

Thomas Crockett
Senior Vice President, Government Relations

Thomas Crockett joined FDRA in January 2015, after working in the office of Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL) from 2010 until 2015, where he served as Legislative Counsel. As Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs, he is responsible for managing FDRA’s advocacy on issues impacting the footwear industry, including U.S. international trade policy, global trade barriers, customs, and product safety.

During his time on the Hill, Thomas oversaw the issues of trade, foreign relations, transportation, government reform, and immigration for the Congressman. Before working on Capitol Hill, he served as Deputy District Attorney in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Thomas received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Auburn University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama, bringing important critical thought and analytical skills to FDRA. →contact Thomas

Sandi Mines
Vice President, Corporate Engagement
President, FFANY
President & Chair, FFCF

Sandi joined FDRA in December 2021, bringing passion for the industry as well as invaluable and immense experience to the FDRA team and membership. She engages directly with FDRA members and the broader footwear industry to develop key initiatives and events singularly focused on driving continued value for shoe companies and their employees. Sandi leads the Fashion Footwear Association of New York, ensuring the continued vibrancy of FFANY New York Market Weeks.

Sandi is President and Chair of the Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation (FFCF), funding groundbreaking breast cancer research at leading organizations in the U.S. through Shoes for a Cure, which has brought in more than $65 million since 1994. Sandi is a key leader in the footwear industry and highly respected from her work at Footwear News. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College and her Masters degree at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Sandi lives in New York with her husband and three incredible children. →connect with Sandi

Gary Raines
Chief Economist

Gary Raines serves as an economic and statistical consultant to FDRA, where he produces the organization’s research into issues affecting the footwear supply chain. He analyzes trends in commodity prices, foreign trade, manufacturing, retail, and consumer sentiment that impact the markets for footwear to help FDRA members make more informed decisions to boost their bottom lines.

Gary has over 30 years of experience in risk management, supply chain analysis, forecasting, and economic modeling. He was the Chief Economist, Fibers & Textiles at INTL FCStone from 2008–2015, and Manager, Economics and Analysis at Cotton Incorporated from 2000–2008. Gary holds an undergraduate degree in Economics, a minor in Statistics, and two Master’s degrees in Economics and Textile & Apparel Technology Management, all from North Carolina State University. He is qualified under NFA Series 3 (National Commodity Futures Exam) and Series 30 (Branch Manager Exam). When he is not helping his team and our membership interpret the ever-changing economics of the global footwear industry, Gary is with his family or volunteering as a Boy Scout leader. →connect with Gary

Sabria Butler
Marketing and Events Manager

Sabria joined FDRA in November 2019. In her role, she manages the marketing and event planning efforts of FDRA. She also leads the Black Footwear Forum, working to increase Black-American representation in the footwear industry.

Sabria is a native of the D.C. metropolitan area and a graduate of Virginia State University with a B.A. in Mass Communications. While Sabria isn’t working, she is most likely visiting cool art museums locally and abroad, or surfing the web for the latest sneaker releases. →connect with Sabria

Jolie Gracia
Marketing and Events Coordinator

Jolie Gracia joined FDRA in October 2022 and serves as the organization’s Marketing and Events Coordinator, supporting FDRA’s membership through event planning, association marketing, and member engagement while helping drive new energy across the organization’s social media platforms. She manages all four annual FFANY Market Week cycles and assists with organizing and managing the FFANY Pop-Up showroom.

Jolie also serves as the Social Media Manager for Shoes for a Cure and provides administrative support for the Black Footwear Forum. A graduate of University of North Carolina at Greensboro, she holds a B.S. in Business Marketing and brings a fresh and engaging perspective to the organization, helping support FDRA’s mission to advance and strengthen the American footwear industry. →connect with Jolie

Ashley Moore
Creative Director

Ashley serves as the association’s creative force for branding and communications. She manages member content throughout FDRA and FFANY’s event, initiative, and program websites and marketing materials, and supports event production alongside the marketing team. Ashley consistently drives current and captivating designs for FDRA’s events, advertising, reports, and social media through the year.

Ashley has Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Graphic Design and Advertising from East Tennessee State University, and expertise in visual communications for corporate, non-profit, and membership associations. When she has time to play, Ashley can be found at the mountains or beaches of North Carolina and beyond with her family. →connect with Ashley

Christie Horan
Marketing and Media Coordinator

Christie rejoined FDRA in 2025 after an entrepreneurial journey that built on the skills she developed as Marketing Coordinator from 2015 to 2017. Christie brings diverse experience to her current role on the marketing team, energizing FDRA’s media programming, including the Shoe-In Show Podcast and FFANY’s Trend Watch. She drives innovation for the association through special initiatives, member engagement, and event support.

Christie is a 2014 graduate of the University of Kentucky with a BA in Marketing and Communications. Outside of work, she coaches the Washington Commanders’ Dance Team and leads barre sculpt classes in Washington, DC. →connect with Christie

John Pellegrini
Customs Specialist

Considered THE footwear duties expert by many CEOs, John has 40+ years 40+ years experience concentrated on the regulatory and commercial aspects of international trade. John’s body of work focused on government regulation of the import-export trade, duty planning, and admissibility requirements to name just a few. Clients included multinationals, general merchandise retailers, importers, exporters, domestic and foreign manufacturers, commission agents, trade associations, and international marketing companies.