February 16, 2019
It is with shock and profound sadness that we announce the unexpected death of our friend and leader Jon Epstein on Friday, a week following heart surgery. Jon died near his home in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 63. The role of Acting President of FILA North America will be assumed by Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Estabrook. We appreciate your respect for the privacy of Jon's family at this difficult time and join them in mourning the loss of an incredible man.
“In Jon Epstein, FILA has lost a great friend, leader, and champion of the brand, not just in the U.S. but worldwide,” said Gene Yoon, Chairman of FILA. “His entrepreneurial spirit was a perfect match for our vision of growth, and his passion for both our heritage of authenticity and our potential as a brand innovator drove FILA’s resurgence over the past decade."
Chairman Yoon continued: “Jon and I worked together for more than 30 years. He and his wife Carol have been like family to me. His presence in the FILA family and in my personal life is impossible to quantify. I have lost a trusted ally and lifelong friend."