Together, We Build Balance and Inspire Innovation

At PAHI, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change. By combining creativity, balance, and innovation, our team works together to craft solutions that inspire progress and shape a better future. Every step we take is fueled by a shared commitment to making a lasting impact.

Our Vision and Mission

PAHI was born from a simple yet powerful vision: to create footwear that combines comfort, innovation, and stability. The brand was founded to meet the growing need for footwear that offers not only style but also balance and support, empowering people to move with confidence throughout their daily lives. Drawing inspiration from the 5000-year-old twin-hull boat technology, PAHI introduced the P.O.R.T. system, revolutionizing how shoes provide balance.

Founders’ Vision

Our vision is simple: a future where no one has to sit out on life because of balance challenges. PAHI is here to help every person walk confidently through their world.

Brand Mission

We are on a mission to disrupt outdated footwear thinking by creating balance-enhancing shoes grounded in science, shaped by innovation, and designed to keep people steady, supported, and unstoppable.

Our Core Values

Our founding team comes from a shared history of helping people move toward better, more supported lives. Offering a steady hand, a listening ear, and meaningful guidance has always been at the heart of who we are.

We also understand something universal: at some point, everyone needs support with their balance—whether due to injury, aging, or simply the natural changes life brings. PAHI was created with that truth in mind. Our footwear is designed not only to enhance balance, alignment, and mobility, but also to uplift the emotional well-being that comes from feeling steady and capable.

By restoring trust in every step, we help people regain physical independence and the confidence to stay active, engaged, and connected to the world around them. PAHI exists to offer renewed confidence to anyone ready to get back on their feet and keep moving forward on their life’s journey.

PAHI wants to provide renewed confidence to those eager to get back on their feet and continue along their life-long journeys.

Performance

Performance isn’t just about medals, miles, or personal records. For someone who struggles to make it to the mailbox, every single step is an act of courage and achievement. At PAHI, we honor that kind of performance. Our footwear is designed to deliver stability and confidence with every stride - supporting the everyday victories that matter most.

THE BALANCE SOLUTION

PAHI exists for one clear purpose: to remove the fear and anxiety from everyday movement. Our footwear supports a healthier stride and empowers people of all ages to move steadily and securely. As the balance brand, PAHI blends style, comfort, and science to bring a centered, confident approach to life’s daily steps.

Innovation

Our innovation lives where timeless wisdom meets modern engineering. PAHI’s proprietary outrigger technology creates a non-roll midfoot support system that promotes proper body alignment and enhances balance with every step. We rethink what footwear can do—so people can rethink what they’re capable of.

Confidence

Confidence starts from the ground up. Every PAHI shoe is intentionally constructed to deliver unwavering support, stability, and comfort, helping you stay active in every aspect of your life. Better balance builds confidence. And confidence? It builds a better, fuller, more independent life.

Brand Evolution

PAHI’s journey is rooted in a simple belief: better balance can change lives. What began as a spark of curiosity—connecting ancient stability principles with modern design—has grown into a mission to help people move with confidence at every age. Our evolution reflects that purpose, step by step.

Conceptualization of PAHI

Inspired by 5,000-year-old twin-hull outrigger technology, PAHI began with a vision to translate ancient principles of balance into modern footwear.

Development of Patented P.O.R.T. System

Engineered from the ground up, the PAHI Outrigger Technology (P.O.R.T) transforms the outrigger concept into footwear innovation, providing unmatched stability.

Launch of Tech-Forward Footwear

Introduced PAHI shoes with three core styles—B-Active, B-Casual, and the B-Steady Slide—designed to offer comfort, support, and balance for all ages and lifestyles.

Expanding the Balance Experience

PAHI prepares to debut the next evolution of its footwear collection, reinforcing the mission of keeping people balanced, centered, and confident in every step.

PAHI Recognized for Innovation in Balance Footwear

PAHI Footwear and our patented PAHI OutRigger Technology (P.O.R.T) were awarded “Innovation of the Year” by the World Aging Festival. This recognition highlights PAHI’s commitment to developing award-winning balance shoes designed to support confidence and everyday mobility.

Engineered with principles inspired by a catamaran’s dual-hull design, our PAHI OUTRIGGER TECHNOLOGY (P.O.R.T.) provides superior balance for life on land.

Meet The Founders

John R. Picciano

Chairman of the Board, Co-Founder, Investor

Picciano graduated from St. Leo College where he has served as St. Leo’s Director of the Board of Trustees. Upon graduation, Picciano attended St. Vincent De Paul Major Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. In 1973, he was ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Orlando where he served for 14 years.

In 1978, Picciano was appointed Director of Ministry for Disabled Persons in the Diocese of Orlando. He was also responsible for drug and alcohol counseling and performing interventions while working for the church. During this time, Picciano earned a master’s degree in social work from Barry College.

Since leaving the priesthood, Picciano has served as the chief executive officer for many psychiatric hospitals and recovery centers. In 1989, Picciano opened the first in-patient treatment center for the hearing-impaired. It was one of the most successful in-patient substance abuse programs for hearing-impaired individuals in the nation.

Picciano was a Co-Founder of PICO, LLC and has been one of the major contributors to the PAHI Balance Brand, its story and the purpose of this innovative footwear concept. Picciano has spent his career helping those in need- and he continues this pursuit with the creation of PAHI footwear.

John Picciano currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Oglethorpe, Inc.- a Health Care Corporation that provides management solutions for hospitals that specialize in psychiatric services, drug and alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation. Picciano graduated from St. Leo College where he has served as St. Leo’s Director of the Board of Trustees. Upon graduation, Picciano attended St. Vincent De Paul Major Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. In 1973, he was ordai…

Robert M. Cohen

Co-Founder, Investor

Robert Cohen is one of the Co-Founders of PICO, LLC and the PAHI Balance Brand. Cohen is also the founder and proprietor of Oglethorpe, Inc., which provides management solutions for healthcare facilities. Cohen has been described as an expert in returning distressed corporations to viable and profitable entities- such as Port St. Lucie Hospital, a now thriving place of prominence within the mental health field.

Cohen has led the corporation through significant growth and expansion and is a major provider of mental health and substance abuse with eight healthcare facilities in three states, including Florida, Ohio and Louisiana. Cohen has over 25 years of experience in the health care field, serving in varied capacities as consultant, owner and board member for health care organizations.

Cohen received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his graduate degree from Harvard University. He also attended the United States Government-sponsored East-West Center at the University of Hawaii. Cohen is fluent in Chinese and served as the Chinese translator for former U.S. Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger.

Eric Mouillon & Dr. Marie-Jose’Teisseire

Senior Director of PAHI Worldwide & Director of Scientific Studies and Balance Technology

The Axis Balance sole is a patented creation resulting from many years of scientific research and development conducted by Chenut, Mouillon, and Teisseire, who partnered with the PAHI brand to develop the world's first Balance Brand shoe line. Mouillon is a posturologist, nutritionist, osteopathic energy therapist, and inventor in France.

Mouillon also holds an MBA in international business. He entered the footwear industry after developing an orthopedic sole with Pascal Chenut that acts on specific points under the foot to modify posture. His sole attracted the attention of many footwear brands in the United States. He participated in the launch of the Dr. Comfort Shoes brand in France.

Mouillon used the knowledge he acquired at Dr. Comfort to start his own shoe company, Axis Confort Développement. His Axis Balance shoe has won numerous awards for innovation in Europe and will soon be featured in the PAHI Balance brand. The Balance outsole created by Chenut and Mouillon was the subject of several years of scientific research, wear testing, and balance testing conducted by Teisseire. The PAHI Balance brand will use the same “catamaran or stabilizer” outsole technology created by Mouillon and Chenut.

The balance tests for Axis and PAHI shoes were conducted by Marie-Jose' Teisseire, a doctor of general medicine and geriatrics who graduated from Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse, France, in 1988. Teisseire is qualified in gerontology, palliative care, and micronutrition. She is also a graduate of the International College for the Study of Statics, where she studied posturology and postural reprogramming. Marie-Jose' Teisseire has been working in the field of geriatrics since 1990 and plays an important role in fall risk management in the south of France. She also holds degrees in sports medicine and biology, which played an important role in the scientific testing and analysis of the AXIS Balance shoe.

Together, Mouillon, Chenut, and Teisseire developed the key design of the PAHI Balance brand. Outrigger technology is an innovative creation that will propel the PAHI Balance brand to exciting heights in the footwear industry.

Eric Mouillon is CEO of AXIS Confort Développement in Toulouse, France. Together with his team, consisting of his partner Dr. Marie-Josée Teisseire and podiatrist Pascal Chenut, they developed the award-winning Axis Balance Sole, which is at the heart of his AXIS footwear range and the PAHI Balance brand.The Axis Balance sole is a patented creation resulting from many years of scientific research and development conducted by Chenut, Mouillon, and Teisseire, who partnered with…

Eric Mouillon & Dr. Marie-Jose’Teisseire

Shawn Powell

Senior Vice President / General Manager / Co-Founder of PAHI

As a Co-Founder of the PAHI Balance Brand, Powell is dedicated to the concept and development of better-balance footwear. Powell began his career as the Director of Fitness for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, where he instituted the first mandatory fitness program for law enforcement officers. From this nationally renowned program, Powell was hired by George Steinbrenner and the New York Yankees to develop the first ever Major League Baseball Strength & Conditioning/Injury Rehabilitation Center.

As the Yankees Strength & Conditioning Coordinator, Powell was an integral part of three World Series championships- training several Hall of Fame players such as Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Powell would eventually work for 30 years in professional sports with four total teams- the Yankees and Chicago White Sox in Major League Baseball (25) years), and the New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors in the NBA (5 years). Powell also served as the Strength Coach for China’s National Baseball team in the World Baseball Classic.

Powell has also developed several philanthropic sporting events known for raising funds for vital causes. The first event created was the Guns & Hoses Boxing event in St. Louis, MO- where proceeds are donated to the families of police officers and fire fighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. Powell’s national high school basketball event, “The Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions” raises money and awareness for the deadly disease, glioblastoma. Powell is also an author and ghost writer for several highly acclaimed books such as, “The Keys to the Batter's Box”, “Lauren’s Kingdom” and “Don’t Give up on Me”, with John Picciano.

Powell has consistently served his community with solutions for better health from both a physical and mental standpoint. The PAHI Balance Brand is another step forward for Powell, in helping those in need of better balance, so they may have a more fulfilling lifestyle and mindset.