05.22.2008 

Heelys Inc., which makes wheeled shoes and other products, on Thursday named Don Carroll president and chief executive. The appointment became effective Wednesday, Heelys said. Carroll had been senior vice president of marketing since Jan. 29. He replaces former FootAction USA President and Chief Executive Ralph T. Parks, who served as interim chief executive since Jan. 29, when Michael G. Staffaroni resigned. Before joining Heelys in January, Carroll was managing director of Vector2Group, a Dallas-based management consultancy firm that he co-founded. Prior to that he was chief marketing and brand officer for RadioShack Corp. Heelys has faced executive turnover this year. Earlier this Month, Mike Hessong resigned as chief financial officer to pursue other interests. In March, the company said it swung to a loss in the fourth quarter, due to a big drop in sales, more returns and higher markdowns. For the year ended Dec. 31, profit fell 24 percent to $22.3 million, while revenue dipped 3 percent to $183.5 million. Shares of Heelys rose 4 cents to close at $4.36.

Don Carroll graduated from the MSTC program in 2008.  To read the official press release from Heelys, click here.