Encinitas-based Ponto Footwear recently announced the appointment of a new brand president.
The hiring of Barry McGeough, who previously led innovation and sustainability efforts for brands such as The North Face, Speedo, Merrell, Saucony, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, is a milestone for the local brand, the company stated in a July news release.
“I am thrilled and honored to be part of a brand that not only prioritizes innovation in sustainable product development but also recognizes the importance of aligning with consumers’ expectations to make a positive impact,” McGeough said in the news release. “Building a brand that walks the walk and embraces sustainability as a core value that contributes to revenue generation, we can deliver benefits to shareholders, consumers, investors, and the planet.”
In line with Ponto’s focus on sustainably produced footwear, McGeough most recently focused on the advancement of new-materials science and green-engineered solutions, according to the company.
Named for Ponto Beach in Carlsbad, Aaron Roubitchek and Joseph Marquis founded the company in 2018 after working in Silicon Valley, according to Ponto’s WeFunder page.
Ponto makes footwear using recycled and bio-based materials, such as sustainable shoe bottoms made with a sugarcane based foam and uppers constructed of recycled leather.