Sleep to Live, a division of Mebane, N.C.–based mattress producer Kingsdown, has promoted Suzette Lapierre to director of national accounts and Solveiga Adams to international licensing manager. Both are newly created positions.
Lapierre is a mattress industry veteran with 15 years of sales experience. She joined the company in 2008 and served as the Sleepy’s account manager before her promotion. Previously, she was national account manager for Tempur–Pedic and held sales management positions at Simmons Bedding Co. and Sealy. Lapierre began her career as a sales manager and trainer at Mattress Firm.
Lapierre’s responsibilities include overseeing national accounts in the continental United States. She also directs the sales team and merchandising efforts. She reports to Kevin Damewood, the company’s new senior vice president of U.S. sales.
“Sleep to Live prides itself on attracting strong and innovative leaders, and Suzette represents the new breed of strategic leaders who bring broad industry perspective to our business,” said Eric Hinshaw, Kingsdown chairman and chief executive officer. “We are changing the game, and I’m confident Suzette will deliver results and lead teams that will take our business to the next level.”
Adams has more than 20 years of experience leading global accounts for major retail brands. She has relocated from Australia where she had served as regional sales manager for Kingsdown Australia since 2006. Kingsdown said Adams’ work in that country was instrumental in providing a model for the successful launch of the Sleep to Live brand internationally.
Previously, Adams served in a variety of sales management roles at cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies, including Estee Lauder, Shiseido, Trimex and Sigma Pharmaceuticals.
In addition to managing the development of new licensees internationally, Adams oversees licensee training and coaching. She reports to Lee Hinshaw, Kingsdown president of international sales.
“Solveiga’s global experience establishing a presence for leading brands is unparalleled,” Lee Hinshaw said. “As one of the sharpest women leading a department within the international division of a major sleep products manufacturer, Solveiga is a rising star within our industry.”
