In Memoriam: Remembering Weinbrenner’s Lance Nienow and More Footwear Industry Legends FN Staff
April 16, 2021: Lance R. Nienow, the former president and CEO of Weinbrenner Shoe Company Inc., died on April 11 at the age of 77.
The footwear executive spent an impressive 50 years with the Weinbrenner organization. He joined the company in 1970 and rose through the ranks, holding positions in human resources, purchasing and operations, before he was named president in 1992. He held that position until his retirement in 2010, when he joined the board of directors a role he continued until his death.
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During his tenure, Nienow is credited with maintaining Weinbrenner’s commitment to domestic manufacturing, even as the rest of the shoe industry moved its production overseas in order to meet growing consumer demand. Today, the company continues to produce a collection of specialized work boots in its Wisconsin factory.