Steve Patiño with 30 years of experience is a global footwear expert and played a pivotal role at DC SHOES INC. during a period of remarkable $1 billion-dollar sales growth.  Steve is currently the founder and CEO of AGS LABS INC. / ALES GREY™, a foot-tech company that offers ultra-comfortable, functional, safety, and sustainably certified footwear for the Frontline and diverse sectors. Steve is a 2X founder, and has been a sales director, an executive consultant, a footwear buyer and working across various domains such as luxury, outdoor, action sports, and sustainability.

Known as “Sneaker Steve”, he has a profound understanding of production processes and supply chains in Europe, Asia, USA and North America, having spent years in China learning the Mandarin language and everything about manufacturing. He also has a strong background in brand development and design. Steve is a continuous learner, having earned certification from Stanford GSB’s Scaling Program and pursued his undergraduate studies at NYU and Vassar College. Steve’s mission is to pioneer the future of comfort, functionality, and sustainability in the footwear industry, with a focus on providing non-slip safe shoes for the largest and most influential Frontline workforces in the world.