Robert J. Corliss Date: 2005   Students Welcome! Whiting-Turner Lecture Series Home

A Whiting-Turner Lecture by Robert J. Corliss

As President and CEO of The Athlete's Foot, Robert (Bob) J. Corliss is the leader of the world's largest franchiser of athletic footwear. Corliss joined The Athlete's Foot in 1998, following a successful career of over 25 years as an executive and entrepreneur in the retail industry. In 2003, Corliss, along with members of the senior management team, purchased The Athlete's Foot. The company currently operates nearly 600 franchise stores in more than 40 countries.

Corliss serves on the Board of Directors with The American Running Association and the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, is a Director and Executive Committee member of the National Retail Federation and is Chairman of the National Retail Federation Foundation.

Corliss participated in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Torch Relay and in 2004 was awarded Sports Edge magazine's "Visionary Award" in recognition of his vision, leadership and support of the sporting goods industry. The award was renamed the "Robert J. Corliss Visionary Award" in his honor.