Mark Lardie, president and CEO of Rack Room Shoes, will be the 2026 recipient of the A.A. Bloom Memorial Award, which recognizes the hard work, dedication, and initiative of an individual to advance the Two Ten Foundation’s mission of lifting lives in the footwear industry. The award was created in honor of the late A.A. Bloom, one of the original founders of Two Ten.
“Mark Lardie has built a culture at Rack Room Shoes that’s grounded in generosity, care, and a deep belief in giving back to the people who make our industry what it is,” states Shawn Osborne, president and CEO of Two Ten. “For nearly three decades, Rack Room Shoes has been a steadfast supporter of Two Ten, contributing nearly $1 million and consistently championing core initiatives like our Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI) community group. That commitment reflects Mark’s conviction that when we take care of one another, our entire industry is stronger. His leadership has fostered a culture of service that extends far beyond his organization and enables Two Ten to lift lives across the footwear community.”
President and CEO of Rack Room Shoes since 2012, Lardie has led the company with a people-first mindset, overseeing significant growth while remaining deeply committed to fostering a values-driven culture. The Charlotte, NC-based family retailer has more than 520 stores nationwide and recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. His career in the footwear industry includes executive leadership roles at Caleres, Famous Footwear, Footstar’s Athletic Division, and The Athlete’s Foot, as well as hands-on experience managing stores and selling shoes on the sales floor. Lardie also serves on the boards of Snipes USA and the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA).
“I’m incredibly humbled and honored to receive the A.A. Bloom award from the Two Ten Footwear Foundation,” Lardie says. “It is, of course, a recognition for an individual contribution, however clearly this honor recognizes the efforts of our team at Rack Room Shoes. Our simple mission statement at (parent company) Deichmann Group is ‘the company exists to serve people.’ I cannot think of a better way to serve the people of the footwear industry than to generously support Two Ten! I look forward to watching as Two Ten continues to evolve and modernize while still being a beacon of hope and support for all those in our community.”
Lardie will be receiving the 2026 A.A. Bloom Award at the Two Ten Annual Gala held at The Glasshouse in New York this June 2. All members of the footwear community are welcome. Contact development@twoten.org for information about tickets or sponsorship.
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