Joe Preston is President and CEO of Boston-based New Balance, the leading global sportswear brand with more than 14,000 associates and 3,200 retail locations worldwide. Privately held New Balance is recognized for its values-led culture and long-standing commitment to performance innovation and domestic manufacturing.
Preston is a dynamic and accomplished leader who has an innate understanding of the global consumer retail and manufacturing landscape. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Preston has led New Balance through a strategic transformation as the company has exceeded 20% annual growth in recent years to achieve $7.8 billion in worldwide sales in 2024.
Prior to his role as President & CEO, his career includes roles as Chief Commercial Officer, Executive Vice President Global Product & Marketing, Executive Vice President International, and Vice President Asia Pacific. This breadth of experience has given him deep expertise in product innovation, marketplace development, financial management, and global operations.
Preston holds an MBA from Babson College and a Bachelor of Science from Merrimack College. He serves as Vice Chair of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and is incoming chair of the American Apparel & Footwear Association. He is Chair of the Two Ten Footwear Foundation and The Sports Museum as well as a board member of the Retail Industry Leaders Association. Preston was elected in January 2026 to the Board of Directors (Class B) for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. He is also a former member of the U.S. Trade Representative’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.