Specialty bedding manufacturer Classic Brands, based in Jessup, Maryland, has named former Serta Simmons Bedding LLC executive Brian Callahan to the new position of chief financial officer.
Brian Callahan
Callahan was executive vice president and CFO of SSB from 2010 to 2015. He was responsible for all finance functions and information technology for both the Serta and Simmons brands. He also oversaw the sale of the company to the private equity firm Advent International in 2012.
In his new position, Callahan reports to Michael Zippelli, chief executive officer.
“As our business has continued to grow and become more diverse, we needed more depth and experience in our finance team,” Zippelli said. “Brian has terrific experience in complex organizations, and we believe that will greatly enhance our business as we expand.”
After leaving SSB, Callahan became CFO and chief marketing officer of health care startup Smile Direct Club, and most recently was a professor of accounting at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Earlier in his career, he held a variety of finance and management posts at health care company Spheris LLC, power equipment producer Murray Inc., tow truck producer Miller Industries, organic product supplier Smith Garden Products, Georgia Pacific, Procter & Gamble and General Electric.
Commenting on his new post, Callahan said: “I really enjoyed my time in the sleep products industry, so I was excited to return when this opportunity arose. Mike has built a strong, dynamic company, and I am proud to be a part of its next stage of growth.”
