Pierre Mortemousque

About Pierre Mortemousque

Pierre Mortemousque is a professional in the footwear industry with over 25 years of experience in sales, product development, and sourcing. Born in Tonneins, France, he moved to the U.S. as a foreign exchange student and later graduated from Elon University with a degree in Business Administration. After working in international sales for a French company, Pierre settled in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he eventually founded Pierre Inc. in 2009. His company designs and manufactures affordable footwear for major U.S. retailers.

Pierre Mortemousque was born in a small town in southern France, Tonneins, where he lived until he turned 18. At this age, he received a unique opportunity to travel to the United States as a foreign exchange student. He spent a year attending Parott Academy, a private school in North Carolina, where he learned about American culture and improved his English skills.

After completing his exchange program, Pierre continued his education at Elon University in North Carolina. During his time at Elon, Pierre played soccer and pursued a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Economics. He graduated in 1989, ready to take on new challenges in the professional world.

After completing his studies in the U.S., Pierre returned to France to begin his professional career. He joined a French company called Sofrace, where he managed sales in the Middle East. His role at Sofrace required him to travel extensively, particularly to the Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Pierre worked with Sofrace from 1989 to 1992, learning the ropes of international sales and building lasting relationships in the Middle East.

In 1992, Pierre married Kelly Mortemousque and moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, where he settled and started a family. Upon moving to Lynchburg, he took on a teaching role at the Virginia Episcopal School, where he taught French and Spanish while also coaching the soccer team. This period allowed Pierre to share his love for languages and sports with students. He remained in this role until 1996.

Though Pierre enjoyed his time as a teacher and coach, his drive for business and entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to explore other opportunities, which resulted in a major shift in his career.

Pierre joined Consolidated Shoe Company, a Lynchburg-based footwear company, in 1996. His career at Consolidated Shoe company spanned 13 years, during which he held various roles, including sales executive, line builder, and Vice President of Tradewinds Europe. Pierre worked on designing and sourcing footwear, particularly focusing on off-price and branded retail channels.