24 Aug Xero Shoes Hires Former Crocs Chief Sales Officer
Xero Shoes has appointed Mike De Bell, former chief sales officer for Crocs, as its VP of global sales.
During his tenure at Crocs, De Bell oversaw sales in over 90 countries, with sales of $1.2 billion. He joins the young Broomfield, CO-based company as a fan of the products as well as a fit for his professional passions.
“Xero Shoes products offer an innovation in comfort, performance and natural movement,” said De Bell, “and I enjoy growing brands that deserve dramatic growth.”
Xero Shoes manufactures and sells “lightweight performance recreation sandals” that people in 94 countries wear for everything from a hike along the Appalachian Trail, to yoga or CrossFit classes, to running an ultra marathon across Costa Rica. Xero shoes can even be worn on a stroll on the beach.
Co-founders and husband-wife team Lena Phoenix and Steven Sashen presented Xero Shoes on Shark Tank in 2013, where they turned down a $400,000 offer from Kevin “Mr. Wonderful” O’Leary.
De Bell is not the only former Crocs talent at Xero Shoes. John McCarvel, former Crocs CEO and president, recently joined Xero Shoes as board chairman and lead investor. And Xero Shoes’ Chief of Product Development, Dennis Driscoll, was head of Global Product Design for Crocs.
Xero Shoes Co‐founder and COO Lena Phoenix said, “We’re incredibly grateful to have such an experienced and powerful team working with a company of our size.”
Added CEO Steven Sashen, “Our goal is sharing the fun and benefits Xero Shoes provide and Mike is already speeding up our journey to that goal.”