BBC International Executives Celebrate 50th Anniversary

As footwear company BBC International celebrates 50 years in business — capped by rapid expansion in recent years — members of the leadership team reflect on the firm’s evolution and what they love most about the business.

Maureen Duffy-Tan

Years at the company: 27

Best part of my job: “I work alongside a dynamic group of professionals who are committed to delivering the best assortments to our partners (retailers and licensors) to ensure long-term success of our branded portfolio. I am surrounded by students of their craft who continue to learn and adapt to win in the fast-paced footwear environment.”

What makes BBC successful: “A commitment to consistently delivering high-quality shoes — and that requires prioritizing sales and design inputs, sourcing capabilities, with [quality assurance] season after season. I continue to be proud that I work for BBC, especially when I walk a retail selling floor.”

Biggest changes through the years: “BBC’s decision to add a wholesale division after 30+ years of operating as a First Cost vendor [was] a pivotal moment and the impetus for vast organizational changes that ensued. The demands of buying and wholesaling inventory has enabled BBC to have greater control of the execution of our branded strategies and foster more dynamic partnerships with our licensors and retailers.”

David Kern

Years at the company: 26

How I got my start here: “I first joined the company as a salesman in the women’s First Cost division, which, in true BBC fashion, somehow led me on a journey into the children’s shoe business. Thank you, Bob [Campbell]!”

Best part of my job: “My passion lies in assembling and building design teams across the company. There’s nothing more rewarding than the time I spend working alongside this incredible group of talented individuals.”

What makes BBC successful: “The underlying spirit of entrepreneurial drive that Bob instilled in the company from the very beginning.”

Biggest changes through the years: “The company has evolved by adding new employees whose expertise helps us adapt to industry changes.”

Favorite memory: “My favorite memory must be my first date [with my wife] — it was BBC’s 25th anniversary party, and she was my date. Guess I should say that’s my fondest memory.”

Albert Kishfy

Years at the company: 29

How I got my start here: “The company had just established a partnership with Reebok, and in 1996 BBC opened its Branded Division office in the Boston area. Tracey McLeod honored me with an opportunity to partner with her on aggressively growing the Branded Division business, with a focus on the Reebok brand and the license, Weebok by Reebok. Thanks to our success in building both businesses, we were given the opportunity to expand our portfolio to include Reebok, Weebok by Reebok, Rockport and Ralph Lauren. This marked the beginning of BBC’s entry into the international marketplace, and the company’s global reach quickly grew to over 80 countries.”

Biggest changes through the years: “Several years ago, our company underwent a significant transition — from its founding leadership to a more forward-thinking and progressive team. This strategic shift was instrumental in positioning us for future growth and establishing our presence as a prominent leader in the industry.”

Favorite memory: “[It] was back in the 2010s. … One season our [regional] APAC meeting was being held in Bangkok. Seth [Campbell] and I had 19 trunks of sample bags for seven different brands. We had a connection flight in Hong Kong — with a different airline. Not so smart. Never done again. As well, we had economy-class connection tickets. Not so smart again. Re-checking the bags would have cost a fortune. First-class ticket upgrades were far more economical than paying the insane excess and overweight bag fees. So naturally we quickly upgraded without hesitation. To justify this to Don [Wilborn], our CFO, we forced the check-in clerk to take pictures of us laying down exhausted and mangled in a massive pile of 19 bags.”

Roger Kitch

Years at the company: 13

How I got my start here: “Josue Solano and I worked together at Sports Authority when he was a [divisional merchandise manager] and I was coming up as a buyer. When the position in operations opened up, he reached out to me, and the timing was perfect to take on this new challenge.”

What makes BBC successful: “We have an amazing team of dedicated, passionate people at all levels who tackle new opportunities and solve problems with urgency and continue to drive the company forward through whatever challenge the world throws at us. Even as we grow, we continue to maintain a ‘startup’ mentality by remaining aggressive and nimble, which allows us to consistently onboard new opportunities faster than I have ever experienced in the industry.”

Favorite memory: “[It] was the last time the leadership team got together with Mr. Campbell at his home for a strategy session. He was as passionate and wise that day as the first day I met him. For the first couple of years I worked here, I was the ‘new guy’ and, although he knew perfectly well, he would always ask me, ‘What is it that you do around here?’ At first I was taken aback, but it didn’t take long before I realized that he was just playing with me. In that last meeting I reminded him of that, and his response was, ‘Well, did I ever get an answer?’ The best.”

Margot Lazar

Years at the company: 27

How I got my start here: “I coincidentally was moving to Florida when BBC was relocating and was presented with the opportunity to join their team to work in licensing and marketing.”

Best part of my job: “Between my work in licensing or with legal matters I am always juggling many different projects, and over the years that’s given me the chance to learn the ins and outs of pretty much every part of the business.”

Biggest changes through the years: “We have done a great job of keeping things moving, growing and jumping on new opportunities as they came about and adapting to the changes in the industry.”

Favorite memories: “The first time I saw the product we created on kids’ feet when traveling in the airport. It was so interesting to see the process completed and the kids jumping around with their lights going off in a character shoe. Second, the volunteering we do as a team each year. [It’s] not only wonderful to participate but to see the company come together for such good causes.”

Meghan Low

Years at the company: 1

How I got my start here: “An industry colleague introduced me to Josue, the CEO of BBC, and we immediately hit it off. We shared a strong alignment on where the footwear industry needed to go from a sourcing perspective and what it would take to get there. A few days later, Josue reached out with an offer to join the team. It was an easy decision to say yes.”

Best part of my job: “I’ve always been deeply passionate about the footwear industry — it’s something I truly love and feel fortunate to be a part of. What makes it even more rewarding is that the people at BBC share that same passion. We’ve navigated significant challenges, especially with the recent tariffs, but it’s the team’s resilience, problem-solving mindset, and determination to keep moving forward that make me genuinely excited to come to work every day.”

Favorite memory: “I joined the company just last year and my first three weeks were spent on an extensive trip visiting our factories across multiple regions in the Far East — an experience I like to call my ‘BBCU.’ I reflect on that trip with real appreciation as our CEO personally accompanied me throughout, walking me through the brands, operations and the unique culture that defines BBC.”

Dean Marotta

Years at the company: 21

Best part of my job: “Solving problems. Have a problem, solve a problem — for the most part. But it goes a bit deeper than that, as your solution should be strategic and add value to all or most of the parties involved. If I can do that with everything that comes across my desk, I am a happy man.”

What makes BBC successful: “A multifarious portfolio and our people. ‘Multifarious portfolio’ as to our extreme multibrand strategy selling through multichannel distribution systems. ‘People’ as to our amazing, dedicated team that makes it all happen.”

Biggest changes through the years: “The company has gotten much more complicated over the years as we increased our brand strategy and sales channels.”

Favorite memory: “[It’s] from the time I was on an exhaustive business trip in [Asia] with Mr. Wilborn and he insisted on taking a side tour of The Great Wall of China.”

Kathy Ryan

Years at the company: 19 months

Best part of my job: “Collaboration with [our] design, sourcing, operations and sales teams to achieve best-in-class results.”

What makes BBC successful: “Committed, hard-working team members who invest in BBC’s success.”

Biggest changes through the years: “In my short time at BBC, I have experienced rapid change to react to unprecedented challenges with new government regulations and tariffs. The BBC team has persisted in meeting the adversity with positivity and persistence.”

Favorite memory: “[My] favorite experience has been listening to the Bob Campbell stories of building the BBC success. Bob created a legacy of loyalty and respect for the individual employee. It has carried forward with Seth and Josue.”

Ross Tannenbaum

Years at the company: 28

Best part of my job: “I have been so fortunate to have traveled the globe and worked with the most incredible people from the greatest retailers in the world.”

What makes BBC successful: “The entrepreneurial spirit of how we operate, no matter how big we are. Bob Campbell’s legacy lives on in all of us.”

Biggest changes through the years: “The company has changed dramatically in some ways, while the foundation we have remains original. We have expanded our product ranges, changed our sourcing model, entered new markets, and became a full family footwear company. Of course, our biggest change was the loss of our leader and the retirement of Don Wilborn. Our new leadership under Seth Campbell and Josue Solano has led us to all the changes I mentioned above.”

Favorite memory: “The best story of all is the generosity and incredible support BBC has afforded me over this long career that has allowed me to raise four amazing kids (and now a grandson).”

Jen Hutchison

Years at the company: 7

How I got my start here: “I was a customer of BBC’s many years ago and always kept in touch with my sales rep. I happened to be on vacation during the Magic show in Vegas and reached out to my former sales rep-turned-friend to see if we could meet up and say hi. That turned into an on-the-fly interview with Seth, [and I] ended up joining the company.”

Best part of my job: “I love our company. I love our people. I love our tenacity and passion for all we do. It’s honestly a lot of fun just figuring out and muscling through whatever is thrown at us each day. Throughout my cancer diagnosis and treatment this year, people kept asking me why I kept working through it and my response was always ‘because my job brings me joy — and I could use a lot of joy right now!’ My job honestly fuels me.”

Favorite memory: “When Bob [Campbell] was still with us, he would have a Christmas party for all the kids of BBC employees. The first time we attended the party, my son was just 6 months old, and I remember that being such a special moment. It was at that party that I knew I had found my ‘work family’ and it felt pretty awesome to be with a company who cares so much for their people.”

Lawrence Yang

Years at the company: 24

Best part of my job: “BBC is like a big family. People work hard and together to solve problems, face challenges, and drive results for a wide range of footwear categories and brands. We work as a team to share experience, build strategies, solve issues and make breakthroughs for our clients. We also look out for our providers and factory partners because we know we are in it for the long haul.”

What makes BBC successful: “The company has always been aggressive in acquiring more brands and elevating our portfolio to add tremendous value to the shoe industry. Our founder, Mr. Robert Campbell, always kept a positive attitude — no matter the business climate — and he never shied away from facing any challenge. He drove himself and his team to success. This has never changed and continues to be our way today.”

Biggest changes through the years: “Culturally, it has remained the same — and that’s a positive thing. But our portfolio has evolved, and our ability to do every category of footwear and apply it to our model has been a source of strength for our company and has made the BBC family stronger.”