Newton Running co-founder Jerry Lee steps down as CEO

BOULDER — Jerry Lee, co-founder of Newton Running, has stepped down as the chief executive of the Boulder-based running shoe manufacturer and marketer.

The company announced Thursday that Joe O’Neil will replace Lee, who will stay on as chairman of the board.

Lee will shift his focus to long-range planning as he steps away from day-to-day operations of the company he co-founded with Danny Abshire in 2007.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Exploring & expressing grief

Support groups and events, as well as creative therapies and professional counseling, are all ways in which Pathways supports individuals dealing with grief and loss.

“I have a lot more gray hair than in 2007, and I recently became a grandfather,” Lee said in a prepared statement. “The grandfather part, well that makes the gray worth it. But I want to spend more time with that granddaughter, my family and the community.”

O’Neil has more than 30 years of experience in the running-shoe industry, including stints at Puma, Adidas, Reebok, Fila, Nike and Quicksilver. He will lead overall operations at Newton Running and work closely with Newton’s management team, including Abshire and president Craig Heisner.

“It is an honor to be working with Jerry Lee and Danny Abshire,” O’Neil said. “The combination of Danny’s creativity and Jerry’s vision and commitment to social responsibility are inspiring.”