Mattress maker Southerland Inc. has hired industry veteran Jim Nation to fill the newly created position of executive vice president of national account sales and international licensing.
Jim Nation
Nation reports to Bryan Smith, Southerland president and chief executive officer, and is responsible for acquiring and managing national accounts and licensees.
“We are excited about adding Jim to the team of Southerland employees,” Smith said. “Jim’s wealth of knowledge and experience … will be a huge asset for Southerland as we start our next phase of growth and development.”
Nation’s sleep products background includes more than 40 years of experience with major mattress makers. Most recently, he was president of business development in the United States and Canada for the Serta brand. Prior to that, he spent nearly two decades with the former Spring Air Co., 12 of them as president; and held posts at Sealy (now Tempur Sealy International Inc.) and Bassett Bedding.
Nation has been an active member of the International Sleep Products Association and served as its chair. In 2016, he received the Russell L. Abolt Exceptional Service Award, the highest honor bestowed on an individual member on behalf of ISPA.
Commenting on his new role at Southerland, Nation said: “I’m extremely excited to join the Southerland team and company. Southerland is one of the few companies in the industry that is dedicated to doing it right. Their quality and service is second to none. I’m very happy to join a team of mattress executives that are committed to their customers and employees. I look forward to making contributions that help them grow the business to the next level.”
Southerland, founded in 1893, operates manufacturing plants across the United States that service customers in more than 40 states. It makes mattresses and adjustable beds in four plants, and operates a wholly-owned transportation company, Southerland Transport.
