Mario Moretti Polegato
Chairman of the company, founder of the Group and main shareholder with 71% of the capital, he was born in 1952 in Crocetta del Montello (Treviso). After completing his studies in oenology he joined the family business, which has been focused for decades on wine production and it has become one of the most important wine companies in Italy.

In the mid-90s, he invented and patented the technology that allows feet to breathe when they are in contact with rubber soles. Thus he created Geox, "the shoe that breathes".

Mr. Polegato personally dedicates much time to teaching the "Intellectual Property" in schools and universities, both in Italy and abroad. This commitment has earned him the title of "Affiliate Professor of Entrepreneurship" from ESCP-EAP in Paris, one of the leading international business schools. During the past years, Mario Moretti Polegato has taught at the University of Florence, Venice, Cambridge, Beijing, Honk Kong, Moscow, MIT in Boston, Columbia University and many others.

Awards and Prizes
Mr. Moretti Polegato has been awarded and honored by many prizes in recent years. The most significant are:
2002:
Entrepreneur of the year 2002 from Ernst & Young, the Italian Stock Exchange and Italian financial newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore

2003:
"Best Italian Entrepreneur in the World" by Ernst & Young Global.

2004:
Marketing 2004 Award from the Italian Marketing Association for the remarkable diffusion, promotion and development of the marketing culture

2005:
"Cavaliere del Lavoro" by the Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi (honorary title conferred in recognition of the good results obtained in the footwear sector).

2006:

• "Grand'Ufficiale al Merito della Repubblica Italiana" by the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.
• "Affiliate Professor of Entrepreneurship" from ESCP-EAP in Paris, one of the leading international business schools.

2008:
"Premio Internazionale AEREC alla Carriera" from the European Academy for Economic and Cultural Relations

2010:
"Innovator of the Year 2010" at the CNBC European Business Leaders Awards organized by CNBC in partnership with the Financial Times - for his ability to develop a fashionable brand with new technology.

Honorary Degrees
2003:
Honoris Causa Master in Integrated Logistics and Supply Chain Integrated Management at the University of Verona, Economics department

2005:
Honorary Degree in Chemistry by the Cà Foscari University of Venice

2012:
Honorary Degree in Economical Sciences by the University of Florence Mario Moretti Polegato is actually Member of the Executive Council of Confindustria (Confederation of Italian Industrialists) and member of International Advisory Council of the Bocconi University of Milan.

He is also Member and supporter of the World Economic Forum.