![Jim Salzano Headshot](/alumni/sites/rit.edu.alumni/files/award/SCB---DAA_Jim-Salzano_jxt_101923.jpg)
2023 Distinguished Alumni Award
Saunders College of Business
Jim Salzano
BS '87
CEO and President of Jones & Vining, Inc
Jim Salzano BS ’87 is the CEO of Jones & Vining, Inc., a global manufacturer of footwear components supplied to over 500 of the best footwear brands including Nike, Adidas, New Balance, On and Under Armour.
In 1995, Jim joined Clarks Shoes as an executive vice president, becoming president in 2010 and setting Clarks on a path to achieve over $1 billion in revenue by 2013. During his time there, Jim was recognized as one of industry’s “Footwear News Power 100”. In 2015, he took over as CEO of Easy Spirit, a NYC-based women’s footwear brand. Over an 18-month period, product, marketing, and distribution underwent a complete transformation, and Jim was instrumental in the sale of the business to Marc Fisher in December 2016.
Jim has chaired the board for the Two Ten Footwear Foundation and was awarded the AA Bloom Award, which recognizes an individual in the industry for outstanding volunteerism. At Clarks, he co-founded the First Step Program, which provided internship opportunities to people with disabilities. He is a member of the RIT President’s Roundtable and Chair of the Saunders College of Business National Council. He resides in Boston with his wife Shana and four children, Nathaniel, Luca, Caden, and Ryker.
2023 Distinguished Alumni Award
Saunders College of Business
Jim Salzano
BS '87
CEO and President of Jones & Vining, Inc
Jim Salzano BS ’87 is the CEO of Jones & Vining, Inc., a global manufacturer of footwear components supplied to over 500 of the best footwear brands including Nike, Adidas, New Balance, On and Under Armour.
In 1995, Jim joined Clarks Shoes as an executive vice president, becoming president in 2010 and setting Clarks on a path to achieve over $1 billion in revenue by 2013. During his time there, Jim was recognized as one of industry’s “Footwear News Power 100”. In 2015, he took over as CEO of Easy Spirit, a NYC-based women’s footwear brand. Over an 18-month period, product, marketing, and distribution underwent a complete transformation, and Jim was instrumental in the sale of the business to Marc Fisher in December 2016.
Jim has chaired the board for the Two Ten Footwear Foundation and was awarded the AA Bloom Award, which recognizes an individual in the industry for outstanding volunteerism. At Clarks, he co-founded the First Step Program, which provided internship opportunities to people with disabilities. He is a member of the RIT President’s Roundtable and Chair of the Saunders College of Business National Council. He resides in Boston with his wife Shana and four children, Nathaniel, Luca, Caden, and Ryker.