Jim Davis

Former Middlebury football player Jim Davis bought New Balance on day of Boston Marathon in 1972. The running shoe manufacturer had 6 employees at the time. It now has 4,000 globally and revenues topping $1.6 billion. The brand, which adopted an "endorsed by no one" philosophy, focuses on selling comfort and support. It also maintains domestic manufacturing; 25% of its shoes sold in North America are made or assembled in the US. It recently launched True Balance toning shoe which claims to help increase muscle stimulation,burning more calories.