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Sitting Down with New Mizuno VP of Running Product Management Mark Sheehan

Published by
DyeStatPRO.com   Jan 26th 2015, 1:38am
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Industry Veteran Brings Nearly 30 Years of Experience to Position

By Scott Bush - RunnerSpace.com

For nearly three decades, Mark Sheehan has run up and down the industry. An Olympic Trials qualifying distance runner, Sheehan has at times co-owned a running store, coached and worked for Nike, Puma, K-Swiss and Reebok, all the while investing time and passion in the sport. We caught up with the new VP of Running Product Management at Mizuno, learning what drives someone to stay within the industry so long, how he's grown professionally over the years and much, much more.

Scott Bush (SB): You’ve been in the industry for a long time. Why the move to Mizuno and why now?

Mark Sheehan (MS): That’s easy! I have always had the utmost respect for Mizuno from afar. The company is recognized as one of the best brands in our industry. Mizuno has a rich 100-plus year history of delivering performance products that focus on athletes, and providing products to help them perform better or enjoy their sport more. When I heard they were looking for someone to assume one of the best jobs, in my opinion, I could ever have, it had my attention. This position gives me the opportunity to use all my experiences to continue the Mizuno history and be a leader of running innovations in the industry. 

SB: How did you first get involved with the sport from the business side of it?

MS: Like many of us, I was a pretty serious runner at a time when the running shoe business was evolving in many ways. New running speciality retail stores were opening and the ability to connect with brand representatives became easy. I met one of the key influencers in my life, Steve Marsh, and he connected me with the Nike Ekin program. 

SB: What are a couple of the main things you've learned along the way that have made you a better professional and leader?

MS: One of the key things that I have learned and gotten much better was a result of 12 years in Asia. It is my ability to listen. I mean really listen. Great ideas are shared all the time. Solving problems is the reason why we all have jobs in our industry, and solutions to these problems can come from many sources. To be successful though, you have to be ready to listen, react and trust your people. There are lots of ways to get the same things accomplished. We must be ready to hear new ideas and approaches, then work to get the job done. These experiences will always be a key source of professionalism and leadership. 

SB: What do you see as the biggest challenge in the sport of distance running today?

MS: There are two big challenges facing the sport of distance running. The first is...time! We are all so busy with many other priorities pulling for our attention. Distance running takes time. We are all built to run, and can run far but few of us really challenge ourselves the way we should. The other challenge is...cell phones. I think people need to leave their cell phones at home and immerse themselves in the running experience.

SB: There are a lot of innovation initiatives taking place in the running apparel and footwear industry currently. What are you most excited about for the next 12-18 months?

MS: Looking ahead, I am most excited about the integration of nano technology in apparel. Health monitoring will be intriguing but if you run and eat right, your health should take care of itself. I am also excited about the challenge of creating the next exciting footwear focus that our industry will be experiencing in the next 12-18 months. My goal for every new innovation is that we do our homework and the functional side of shoes' performance matches the research and product insight. The best innovation we can invent is something that runners never have to think about - it just works and they can focus on the important things like the miles ahead of them.

SB: You have a strong competitive running background, having qualified for the Olympic Trials before. How much running do you put in these days? 

MS: My goal every morning is to get a run in. I work best when I am out the door at dawn and am waking up by mile 2. This has always been my favorite time to enjoy our sport. Each week I get in about 30-40 miles. The other motivation is my fortune of being a sample size 9; I am the best wear-tester that I know! It has been a long time since I have worn a pair of production shoes from a store. 

SB: What advice would you give a young professional looking to make their way in the running industry?

MS: The running industry has so many different areas and functions that you can get involved. It is critical to have passion for anything that you do, for your happiness and future success. Would you still do your job even if there was not a paycheck involved? The answer should be yes, and you'd be joining one of the best industries out there. Be ready to do the tough jobs, get your hands dirty and experience everything - no limits! 

SB: What individuals have been influential along your path in the sport?

MS: Along my journey thus far, three people have been most influential to me. My great friend, Gary Dilmore, who got me running in high school and Barry Brown, who introduced me to the head coach at University of Florida, John Randolph. Once I felt confident in my ability to compete at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) level I just kept training. The person who showed me what running at the highest level was all about was my teammate and roommate 1996 Olympian Keith Brantly. Our training runs would be harder than any race I ever ran!

One of my most satisfying moments in our sport for me was when I coached a junior high school cross country and track program. It was a privilege to help a young person achieve something they thought they could never do - finishing their first four laps ever around a track ever. Being a part of this experience and seeing the look on their faces is something I was always remember. It is synonymous with life too, you have to take it one lap at a time. 

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The running industry is as competitive as any in the sports world. Millions of participants, a growing stable of events and the annual need for new training and competition shoes and apparel make Mizuno's hire of Sheehan as important as ever. Stay tuned for more interviews with top individuals in the running industry, as we cover the ins and outs of the sport from the business side.



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