It started as a simple question between friends:
"Why isn't there an easy and secure way to trade sneakers?"
Tony Malveaux, our co-founder and Director of Authentication, was the first to ask it back in 2009. A lifetime sneakerhead and former Footlocker employee, the idea for Tradeblock came to him as he played with ESPN’s Trade Machine. He shared the idea with his best friend Darren Smith, our other co-founder and COO. Excited, they poured into the idea, but ultimately the dream was put on hold.
In 2019, the two found themselves discussing the idea once again. They had seen the emergence and growth of other sneaker marketplaces, but none addressed trading sneakers. So they decided to build one.
To seed the idea and conduct research, Tony and Darren hit the streets and attended every major US sneaker event in 2019.
They brought in Mbiyimoh Ghogomu, our third co-founder and CEO, another high school friend and former IBM and FinishLine employee to oversee development of the business and product.
In August 2020, we launched the Tradeblock beta for web. Since then, we're now available on the Apple App and Google Play Stores. We've facilitated thousands of trades, and the community has grown to over tens of thousands of members.
The Team
Kenneth Priester
Chief Technology Officer
A graduate of the University of Texas, Kenny has been in the start up space most recently as a senior software engineer and system architect at Ketra which was acquired by Lutron Electronics. At Tradeblock, Kenny oversees application development, data analytics, and improves operational efficiency. Find Kenny playing the drums, attending live music, or giving Mbiyimoh a run for his money at Catan.
Kenneth Priester
Chief Technology Officer
Mbiyimoh Ghogomu
Chief Executive Officer
A graduate of the University of Texas, Mbiyimoh was most recently an executive assistant and Content Strategy Lead at IBM responsible for numerous projects for Watson and IBM Research. Before IBM, he was Editor in Chief of The Higher Learning, a newsblog he founded with a friend. As CEO, Mbiyimoh sets the vision and strategic direction for Tradeblock. Find Mbiyimoh deep in crypto, outlining dystopian novels, playing Catan, and exploring the outdoors.
Mbiyimoh Ghogomu
Chief Executive Officer and
Co-founder
Cassidy Edwards
Director of Member Relations and Human Resources
Over the last 15 years, Cassidy has worked as an HR Manager with a focus on fostering a working environment rooted in engagement and retention. At Tradeblock, Cassidy leads community engagement, human resources, and UX research. Find Cassidy contributing to CNK Daily as their Managing Editor, reading a book, practicing meditation and self-care or just being a cool mom to her 3 children.
Cassidy Edwards
Director of People Operations
Darren Smith
Chief Operating Officer
A graduate of the University of Texas, San Antonio, Darren is a natural born entrepreneur who previously worked as an accountant at Deloitte. As COO, Darren is the tip of our speer and cultural lead. He oversees finance and operations and builds strategic relationships across our investor, partner, and member communities. Find Darren spending time with his wife and 1-year old twins and running the Ping Pong table.
Darren Smith
Chief Operating Officer and
Co-founder
Devon Fanfair
Director of Talent + Experience
A graduate of Rice University, Devon has been given the gift of problem solving through human connection, technical curiosity and care. He has Co-Founded a Startup Studio that launches and invests in the “Wildly Underestimated”. He also created a blockchain incubator with the intention of creating wealth in undervalued communities around the world. Perfectly in line with the mission and value of Tradeblock, Devon serves as the Director of Talent Acquisition and Experience.
Devon Fanfair
Talent & Strategic Relationships
Isaiah Moore
Director of Logistics & Operations
A graduate of the University of Alabama, Isaiah spent the last 5 years at Nike using data + analytics to grow and evolve its ecommerce supply chain. At Tradeblock, Isaiah oversees operations, logistics, and authentication. Find Isaiah at a sports event with family, mentoring youth, and exploring new experiences in random cities.
Isaiah Moore
VP of Authentication, Logistics & Operations
Godson Michel
Director of Marketing
A former sneaker e-commerce owner and marketing agency founder who started his career at Finish Line, Godson has focused on driving performance in companies through strategy, optimization, and automation. At Tradeblock, Godson oversees growth and marketing across all online channels, including paid ads, social media, SEO, email, etc. Find Godson attending networking events, speaking at small business panels, or rewatching episodes of Naruto.
Godson Michel
Senior Digital Marketing Lead
Edmund Chow
Director of Design and
Customer Experience
A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Edmund has spent the last 7 years working at IBM as a senior product design lead and design strategist. At Tradeblock, Edmund oversees product design, brand and marketing, and the overall customer experience. Find Edmund volunteering as the Programming Director of AIGA Austin, outside hiking, shooting hoops, or biking with a coffee.
Edmund Chow
Director of Marketing
Tony Malveaux
Director of Authentication
A lifetime sneakerhead and former manager of Footlocker, Tony brings valuable knowledge about the sneaker industry and well-established relationships within the sneaker community. As Director of Authentication, Tony is responsible for our authentication process as well as supply chain and logistics operations. Find Tony at your local park playing basketball with his son, hosting game nights for family, and hunting down his next grail.