{{Short description|American business executive (born 1966)}} {{like resume|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Fred Mossle | image = Fred Mossler 2020.jpg | image_caption = Mossler in 2020 | birth_name = Fred Mossler | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|7|2}} | birth_place = San Francisco, California | citizenship = United States | occupation = business executive, fashion guru, philanthropist. | known_for = Zappos Executive, Founder of Honus Capital, LLC, Co-founder of Ross and Snow }} '''Fred Mossler''' (born July 2, 1966) is a business executive, fashion guru and philanthropist. He is best known as a former high-ranking executive at online shoe retailer Zappos,<ref name="Abel2016">{{Cite web|url=https://footwearnews.com/2016/business/executive-moves/tony-hsieh-comments-fred-mossler-departure-resignation-zappos-213111/|title=Tony Hsieh On Fred Mossler's Exit: 'Zappos Won't Ever Be Able To Replace Him'|publisher=Footwear News|author=Katie Abel|access-date=6 November 2018|date=18 April 2016}}</ref> where he played a significant role in the company’s growth,<ref name="Butler2016"/> as well as being the founder of Las Vegas-centric investment fund Honus Capital, LLC and co-founder of luxury fashion brand Ross and Snow.<ref name="Schulz2018"/><ref name="2018Schulz"/>
== Business == After graduating with a business degree from Southern Oregon University in 1990,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kobi5.com/features/five-on-5-fred-mossler-entrepreneur-52466/|title=Five on 5 – Fred Mossler – Entrepreneur|publisher=NBC|access-date=6 November 2018|date=9 May 2017|quote=On Tonight’s Five on 5, we are joined by entrepreneur Fred Mossler, who credits much of his success to his time at Southern Oregon University.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sou.edu/academics/business/programs/marketing-concentration/|title=Business Administration – Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science|publisher=Southern Oregon University|access-date=6 November 2018|year=2018}}</ref> Mossler moved to Seattle and joined Nordstrom in 1991.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=23966717&privcapId=215186183|title=Fred Mossler: Executive Profile & Biography - Bloomberg|website=www.bloomberg.com|access-date=2017-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tacobell.shareyourroad.com/profile/4248|title=Fred Mossler - Share Your Road|website=tacobell.shareyourroad.com|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref> He spent the next eight years at Nordstrom, living in Sacramento, Hawaii, and San Francisco.<ref name="Sutherlin2016"/>
In 1999, while working for Nordstrom in San Francisco, Mossler was contacted by Zappos founder Nick Swinmurn to join his new company, then known as ShoeSite.com. Initially the Senior Vice President of Merchandising at Zappos,<ref name="Sutherlin2016"/> Mossler’s responsibilities expanded to overseeing a variety of departments, including the Customer Loyalty Team, Human Resources, Recruiting, Benefits, and Marketing.<ref>{{Citation|last=07272009july|title=Video from Jeff Bezos about Amazon and Zappos|date=2009-07-22|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hxX_Q5CnaA|accessdate=2017-04-26}}</ref> His wide range of duties led to his official position with the company to be known as “No Title”.<ref name="Reingold2016"/><ref name="Lister2013">{{cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/local-couples-find-love-through-their-professional-lives/|title=Local couples find love through their professional lives|last= Lister|first=Nolan|year=2013|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|language=English|quote=Fred is still working for Zappos with the title of “No Title.” They also opened the Henderson restaurant Nacho Daddy together.}}</ref> During Fred Mossler's tenure at Zappos, the company abolished its traditional hierarchy and adopted holacracy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2014/7/11/5876235/silicon-valleys-latest-management-craze-holacracy-explained|title=Zappos just abolished bosses|last=Ferenstein|first=Gregory|date=11 July 2014|publisher=Vox|language=English|accessdate=12 October 2018|quote=Holacracy tries to make all these miscellaneous roles explicit, creating teams ("circles") around every possible thing a worker could do for a company. "What happens in a traditional organizational hierarchy structure is that most people play a lot of different roles but those roles aren’t defined," explained Zappos executive Fred Mossler. "Holacracy forces you to define the work that you do and it forces you to define your roles and accountabilities." In Zappos's holacracy, a typical call center worker could hold additional official duties in planning social events, corporate social responsibility, designing the lunch menu, or on an advertising campaign.}}</ref>
In April 2016, Mossler announced his departure from Zappos after nearly 17 years at the company, citing his desire to pursue full-time entrepreneurship.<ref name="Reingold2016">{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2016/04/13/another-zappos-leader-departs/|title=Zappos long-time leader Mossler is out|publisher=Fortune|date=13 April 2016|author=Jennifer Reingold|access-date=2017-04-26}}</ref> In the email announcing his departure, Mossler stated that he would remain with the company until June 3, 2016, to aid with the transition,<ref name="Butler2016">{{Cite news|url=http://footwearnews.com/2016/business/executive-moves/fred-mossler-exits-zappos-212332/|title=Fred Mossler To Exit Zappos|last=Butler-Young|first=Sheena|date=2016-04-15|work=Footwear News|access-date=2017-04-26|language=en-US}}</ref> and would remain in Las Vegas to focus on several projects in the area,<ref name="Sutherlin2016">{{Cite news|url=http://footwearnews.com/2016/business/executive-moves/fred-mossler-zappos-leaving-tony-hsieh-212535/|title=Fred Mossler Reflects On His Time At Zappos|last=Sutherlin|first=Margaret|date=2016-04-15|work=Footwear News|access-date=2017-04-26|language=en-US}}</ref> including the Downtown Project (a downtown revitalization project started by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh), Mexican restaurant chain Nacho Daddy, area cultural festival Life is Beautiful and “close air support” training company Blue Air Training.<ref name="Lister2013"/><ref name="2016Reingold">{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2016/04/13/another-zappos-leader-departs/|title=Zappos long-time leader Mossler is out|publisher=Fortune|date=13 April 2016|author=Jennifer Reingold|access-date=6 November 2018|quote=Mossler wrote that he intends to focus on entrepreneurial efforts, as well as the Downtown Project, Hsieh’s privately-funded revitalization of downtown Las Vegas. ... I also want to pursue some other interests, such as Downtown Project, The Life Is Beautiful music festival, Nacho Daddy and a few other companies that I have invested in.}}</ref> As co-founder of Nacho Daddy, Mossler has overseen the growth of the chain to three Las Vegas-area locations, and has made a food-donation program central to the restaurant's ethos: via the "Buy One, Give One" program, the chain has donated over 110,000 meals to local Vegas-area foodbank Three Square.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ilovelasvegasmagazine.blogspot.com/2016/11/nacho-daddys-buy-meal-give-meal.html|title=I Love Las Vegas Magazine...BLOG: Nacho Daddy's "Buy a Meal, Give a Meal" Programs Has Donated 110,00 Meals!|last=Carole9073|date=2016-11-17|website=I Love Las Vegas Magazine...BLOG|access-date=2017-04-26}}</ref> In addition, as a partner in the Downtown Las Vegas music festival, Life is Beautiful, he has helped oversee the festival's growth into one of the regions most important arts events, with over 100,000 attendees in 2016 and music stars from an international roster of Platinum acts performing on stage (Stevie Wonder, Duran Duran, Snoop Dogg, Imagine Dragon).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bizbash.com/how-life-beautiful-grew-to-108000-attendees-in-3-years/las-vegas/story/31144/#.WP_8W4jytEZ|title=How Life Is Beautiful Grew to 108,000 Attendees in 3 Years|last=Dubin|first=Alesandra|date=2015-10-05|work=BizBash|access-date=2017-04-26|language=en}}</ref>
On March 24, 2017, ''Footwear Daily'' reported that Mossler would be launching a footwear brand in Las Vegas, Nevada.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://footwearnews.com/2017/business/executive-moves/fashion-shoes-industry-moves-march-2017-322783/|title=Industry Moves: March 2017|last=Butler-Young|first=Sheena|date=2017-03-28|work=Footwear News|access-date=2017-05-13|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sgbonline.com/zappos-president-to-leave-in-june/|title=Zappos President To Leave In June {{!}} SGB Online|website=sgbonline.com|date=28 March 2017 |language=en|access-date=2017-05-13}}</ref> Former Zappos executives, Fred Mossler and Meghan Mossler founded Ross & Snow, a luxury fashion brand with its factories being shared with couture brands in Italy.<ref name="2018Schulz">{{cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/startup-shoe-brand-ross-snow-launches-in-las-vegas/|title=Startup shoe brand Ross & Snow launches in Las Vegas|last=Schulz|first=Bailey|date=17 September 2018|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|language=English|accessdate=12 October 2018|quote=Co-founded by former Zappos executives, and husband and wife duo Fred and Meghan Mossler, the luxury shoe brand Ross & Snow officially launched Monday. ... Meghan Mossler described Ross & Snow as a “functional luxury” brand. “We’re working with same tanneries and some of the same factories as a lot of couture brands out of Italy,” she said.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://footwearnews.com/2017/fn-spy/parties/blair-underwood-fn-platform-las-vegas-cocktail-party-408044/|title=Blair Underwood, Chloe Gosselin & More Guests: Inside FN's Cocktail Party|last=Abel|first=Katie|date=2017-08-17|work=Footwear News|access-date=2018-01-15|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=This Former Ugg Designer Wants to Make You Rethink Shearling Boots |url=https://fashionista.com/2019/01/ross-and-snow-shearling-boots |publisher=Fashionista |language=English|date=8 January 2019}}</ref>
As of March 21, 2018, Mossler has joined with partners Tony Hsieh, Cory Harwell and Keith Glynn to form Eleven Hospitality Group, an entity created to take popular Downtown Las Vegas restaurant Carson Kitchen from a local favorite to a national brand. A letter of intent has already been signed to open an Atlanta location.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/downtowns-carson-kitchen-looking-to-expand-outside-las-vegas/|title=Downtown's Carson Kitchen looking to expand outside Las Vegas|date=2018-03-21|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=2018-03-30|language=en-US}}</ref>
Mossler and his partners have also been involved in the creation of and investment in Discount Italian Shoes, offering Italian fashion brands at lower price points to international consumers.
== Philanthropy == Mossler serves as an honorary director of the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goodietwoshoes.org/pages/about-us/our-board.php|title=Goodie Two Shoes Foundation - Our Board|website=www.goodietwoshoes.org|access-date=2017-04-26|archive-date=2017-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152807/http://www.goodietwoshoes.org/pages/about-us/our-board.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> an organization that provides disadvantaged children and children in crisis with new shoes and socks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goodietwoshoes.org/pages/about-us/our-mission.php|title=Goodie Two Shoes Foundation - Our Mission|website=www.goodietwoshoes.org|access-date=2017-04-26|archive-date=2017-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152717/http://www.goodietwoshoes.org/pages/about-us/our-mission.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> He holds a role on the Finance Committee of the Two Ten Footwear Foundation,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.twoten.org/who-we-are/board-of-directors.aspx|title=Board of Directors|date=2011-11-30|access-date=2017-04-26|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130063914/http://www.twoten.org/who-we-are/board-of-directors.aspx|archivedate=2011-11-30}}</ref> which offers financial assistance, counseling, community resources, and scholarships to those working in the footwear industry.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.twoten.org/what-we-do/|title=What We Do - Two Ten Footwear Foundation|work=Two Ten Footwear Foundation|access-date=2017-04-26|language=en-US}}.</ref> In this role he recently helped the foundation raise over $4 million at their 2019 gala.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/two-ten-annual-gala-raises-202034248.html|title=Two Ten Annual Gala Raises $4M to Help Shoe People in Need |access-date=2020-02-21|language=en-US}}</ref> In addition, Mossler was involved with the Movember Foundation, a charity raising funds for promoting and researching men’s health.
== Community involvement and other ventures == Mossler has participated in the TED conference series, presenting a TEDx talk in Las Vegas titled “Flourishing Communities: Live, Work, and Play” that outlines the transformation of a previously unused area of downtown Las Vegas into a cultural and economic hotspot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDxSinCity-Fred-Mossler-Flou-2|title=Redirecting|website=tedxtalks.ted.com|access-date=2017-04-26}}</ref>
He is on the board of the Downtown Project, a $350 million revitalization project in downtown Las Vegas. In addition to real estate, the project also invests in small businesses, arts and culture, education, healthcare, and tech startups.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://downtownproject.com/about-us/|title=Downtown Project {{!}} About Us|website=downtownproject.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-26}}</ref> Tech investments are handled through the Downtown Project’s tech investment arm, VegasTechFund, in which Mossler holds the title of Limited Partner.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://vtfcapital.com/investment-team/|title=Investment Team - VTF Capital|work=VTF Capital|access-date=2017-04-26|language=en-US}}</ref>
Mossler is an investor in Silver State Production Services, a Las Vegas-based film production company that has worked on projects such as ''Looking Glass'' (2017) and ''The Hangover Part III''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2014/apr/25/head-movie-shot-and-produced-nevada-puts-new-tax-i/|title=Movie shot and produced in Nevada puts new tax incentive in play|last=Schoenmann|first=Joe |date=25 April 2014|publisher=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=6 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/company/co0462791/|title=Silver State Production Services [us]|website=IMDb|access-date=2017-04-26}}</ref> He is also an executive producer on the movie Viena and the Fantomes released in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-25|title=Las Vegas-made movie 'Viena and the Fantomes' released after 6-year delay|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/movies/las-vegas-made-movie-viena-and-the-fantomes-released-after-6-year-delay-2060883/|access-date=2021-03-03|website=Las Vegas Review-Journal|language=en-US}}</ref>
Mossler contributed to Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh’s book, ''Delivering Happiness'', discussing how Zappos approaches vendor relationships.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://hbr.org/2010/06/a-lesson-from-zappos-follow-th|title=A Lesson from Zappos: Follow the Golden Rule|work=Harvard Business Review|access-date=2017-04-26}}</ref> The book reached #1 on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/summary-of-delivering-happiness-by-zappos-ceo-tony-hsieh-2017-5|title=7 lessons from a multimillionaire CEO's book any businessperson should read|publisher=Business Insider|language=English|access-date=6 November 2018|quote=Delivering Happiness debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller List, when it was released in 2010, and since, Hsieh has been branded as an expert in customer service and building company culture.}}</ref>
In 2012, Mossler founded Honus Capital LLC, a hands-on investment fund for Las Vegas-area entrepreneurs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nvsos.gov/sosentitysearch/PrintCorp.aspx?lx8nvq=FM6lq0K1lpjbTJgTbB13dg%253d%253d&nt7=0|title=Honus Holdings LLC in Las Vegas NV - Company Profile|last=|first=|date=|website=Nevada State|language=en|access-date=2017-04-26}}</ref><ref name="Schulz2018">{{Cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/entrepreneurs/las-vegas-hub-funded-by-air-force-to-advance-startup-scene/ |title=Las Vegas hub funded by Air Force to advance startup scene|last=Schulz|first=Bailey|date=20 June 2018|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|language=English|access-date=6 November 2018|quote=Fred Mossler, founder of hands-on Las Vegas-centric investment fund Honus Capital LLC, said the hub could improve the local economy.}}</ref>
In May 2017, Mossler became an active member of the Board of Directors of LivePerson, a mobile and online messaging and analytics solutions provider. As the company enters a growth and expansion phase, Mossler is expected to provide digital sales and growth strategy expertise.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fred-mossler-digital-visionary-helped-123000972.html|title=Fred Mossler, digital visionary who helped build Zappos, to join LivePerson Board of Directors|access-date=2017-05-13|language=en-US}}</ref>
In August 2019, Mossler and his wife were featured in Footwear News magazine as "local guides" to their home, Las Vegas, offering their recommendation for "go-to Vegas hangs."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/FT/FNS/sub_1yr_US.jsp?cds_page_id=152604&cds_mag_code=FNS&id=1573059928399&lsid=93101105283022744&vid=1&cds_response_key=86L1DLNSB|title=Footwear News Magazine Subscription|website=w1.buysub.com|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref> Mossler was also in attendance this same month at the FN Platform, a gathering for Footwear Industry "power players."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://footwearnews.com/2019/business/retail/fn-platform-august-show-las-vegas-photos-1202818379/|title=Footwear Industry Power Players Gather in Las Vegas for FN Platform|last=Staff|first=F. N.|date=2019-08-16|website=Footwear News|language=en|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>
In October, 2019, Mossler was included in a team of expert judges to ascertain the "Startup of the Year," choosing [https://re3d.org/ re:3D] for their advancements in the 3D market.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/19/10/n14677591/re-3d-named-the-7th-startup-of-the-year-champion-by-established-and-start-co|title=re:3D Named the 7th Startup of the Year™ Champion by Established and Start Co.|website=Benzinga|language=English|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref> In October 2020, Mossler joined The Board of Trustees for his alma mater, Southern Oregon University where he serves on the Development Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About|url=https://giving.sou.edu/about/|access-date=2021-03-03|website=SOU Foundation|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-02-20|title=SOU and Zappos alumnus Fred Mossler: Big shoes to fill|url=https://news.sou.edu/2019/02/sou-zappos-alumnus-fred-mossler-big-shoes/|access-date=2021-03-03|website=SOU News|language=en-US}}</ref>
== External links == * [https://tacobell.shareyourroad.com/profile/4248 Fred Mossler's "Share Your Road" profile hosted by Taco Bell.] * [https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2017/jun/20/stevens-relishes-blank-canvas-in-devising-downtown/ Fred Mossler Given credit for Downtown Vegas development.] * [https://inside.sou.edu/business/index.html Fred Mossler speaking at SOU School of Business.] * [http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thrivinginbusinessandlife/2017/08/11/how-zappos-created-a-thriving-culture-and-a-billion-dollar-a-year-company Fred Mossler on Thriving in Business and Life podcast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816082745/http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thrivinginbusinessandlife/2017/08/11/how-zappos-created-a-thriving-culture-and-a-billion-dollar-a-year-company |date=2025-08-16 }}. * [https://s3.amazonaws.com/Allinradio/Zappos_2017/Zappos_episode1.mp3 Fred Mossler on Birth and Life of Zappo's (podcast).]{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} * [https://www.theindustry.fashion/the-interview-fred-and-meghan-mossler-ross-snow Fred Mossler and his wife Meghan discuss their brand Ross and Snow with The Industry magazine.] * [https://roadtripnation.com/leader/syr/5a74b5d47ebc328bb0d4eba9 Quotes, life history, and video interviews with Fred Mossler posted on Road Trip Nation's Career Explorations hub.]
== References == <references />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mossler, Fred}} Category:Businesspeople from California Category:Amazon (company) people Category:1966 births Category:Living people