Footwear & Trade Policy - Navigating the Current Chaos

Matt Priest
Matt Priest is the President & CEO of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), the largest and most effective footwear association in the United States.  In this role, Matt serves as the executive in charge of FDRA’s day-to-day operations ensuring the association meets and exceeds its goal to be the footwear industry’s business and trade association.

Before joining FDRA in February 2009, Matt served as Senior Advisor to Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles and Apparel at the U.S. Department of Commerce. As deputy assistant secretary, he oversaw programs and strategies to improve the domestic and international competitiveness of the U.S. footwear, fiber, textiles, and apparel industries. Matt was also Chairman of the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA), which determines when market-disrupting factors exist in the domestic fiber, textiles and apparel marketplace. Previously, Matt served as Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Import Administration at the Commerce Department, where he advised the assistant secretary on textile and trade issues. Prior to his appointment, Matt was Legislative Director for Representative Sue Myrick of North Carolina, where he was an advisor in the areas of textiles, trade, and economic development.

In addition to his role as President and CEO of FDRA, Matt is a member of the Board of Directors at the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) and Soles4Souls.  He also serves on the Industry Advisory Board at the College of Textiles at North Carolina State University in Raleigh.  He has also served as an Executive in Residence at the College of Textiles and often guest lectures at the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business.  Matt is also an honorary member of the Footwear Youth Leadership Group of the Taiwan Footwear Manufacturers Association.  Matt earned his BA in political science from North Carolina State University. He lives with his wife and three daughters in Northern Virginia.  

Thomas Crockett

Thomas Crockett joined FDRA in January 2015, after working in the office of Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL) from 2010 until 2015, were he served as Legislative Counsel. As Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs, he is responsible for managing FDRA’s advocacy on issues impacting the footwear industry, including U.S. international trade policy, global trade barriers, customs, and product safety.During his time on the Hill, Thomas oversaw the issues of trade, foreign relations, transportation, government reform and immigration for the Congressman. Before working onCapitol Hill, he served as Deputy District Attorney in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Thomas received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Auburn University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama, bringing important critical thought and analytical skills to FDRA.