Terry Armstrong
Co-founder, SAS Shoemakers - San Antonio, TX

Terry Armstrong was a career footwear man who learned shoemaking at Maine's Northeast Shoe Co., where he worked for nearly 20 years. In the early 1970s, Armstrong, his wife Gena and their long-term friend Lew Hayden recognized that shoe manufacturing was moving from the United States to locations abroad, where labor was cheaper and easier to control. Fearing that the quality of footwear could be compromised as a consequence, Armstrong and Hayden decided to pursue a dream: They moved to Texas where, in 1976, Armstrong and Hayden founded San Antonio Shoemakers, which handcrafted every pair of shoes the founders sold.

Today, the company has more than 100 stores in the U.S., nearly 100 franchises and a number of retail locations abroad. It was word-of-mouth that turned the shoes into a national brand; the company name was eventually shortened to SAS, with a focus on two promises: First, that "Life is a journey. Wear comfortable shoes.” and second, "Experience SAS – you'll be glad you did.”

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Jerry Levin
Lebo's - Charlotte, NC
1995-97, Chairman of Board of Directors

Jerry Levin grew up in the shoe retailing business, at Lebo's, Inc., founded by his father, Sidney, in 1923. He left college to manage the business full time when his father needed medical leave, and never looked back. He became first a full partner, then sole owner in 1964 when his father retired.

Under Levin’s leadership, Lebo's grew into a multi-store retailer selling women's, men's and children's footwear, as well as Barbette Footwear and Dancewear, a line Levin created of ballet, tap, jazz, clogging and square dance shoes. Barbette products are also sold in many retail stores in the U.S. and abroad. Later, Levin launched Colorama Dance Costumes by Lebo's, sold through dance studios.

Levin was elected to NSRA's Board of Directors in 1987, served as chairman from 1995-1997 and continues to be an active past chairman of NSRA. Levin and his wife, Barbara, who have been married since 1951, regularly attend NSRA events, where their friendship and advice is cherished.

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Howard K. Penn
Puritan Clothing Company of Cape Cod - Hyannis, MA
1991-93, Chairman of Board of Directors

Howard Penn and his brother Milton joined the family business, Puritan Clothing Company of Cape Cod, during the 1950s, building it into a nine-location business that is still a family-held company.

Penn's passion for the footwear part of the business led him to join the National Shoe Retailers Association, where his fellow retailers soon elected him to the Board of Directors. He served as chairman of the Board from 1991-1993, and remained active with the Association as a past chairman until illness prevented him from attending meetings.

In addition to his work on behalf of independent retailers, Penn was a firm believer in giving back to the community. He held leadership posts with the Jaycees, Boy Scouts, YMCA, Kiwanis Club, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and several athletic associations and civic groups. He was also active with the Two Ten Foundation and as a member of the Cape Cod Synagogue. Howard passed away in 2012 at the age of 80.

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Al Singer
Allan's Shoe Stores - Bay City, WI

Al Singer expanded the shoe store founded by his father, Harry, into a four-location business in Bay City, Michigan. He began his career working part-time for his father. After college, he became a sales representative for a series of footwear brands. In the early 1960s, he returned to Michigan, joining his father in the women's shoe business in 1964. He began expanding the inventory into sizes and widths, then into the comfort arena.

By 1984, Singer was sole owner of the business and his wife, Pat, became his business partner. They added men's shoes and quickly grew the business to more than $3 million in annual sales. Singer's business success led to consulting work in design with several footwear manufacturers. He also used his business to raise funds for breast cancer research, with proceeds donated to the Virginia Clinton Kelly Research and Education Fund of the Arkansas Cancer Research Center.

Singer was elected to NSRA's Board of Directors in 1991. In 2005, NSRA created the Al Singer Award to honor him as a man whose contributions to NSRA and the nation he loved were broad and varied. Al passed away in 2005 at the age of 76.

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