The sleep products industry is full of great people. Here, some bedding industry leaders tell us about those they respect and appreciate.
While best known as a holiday to celebrate romantic love, Valentine’s Day has come to mean much more than that. It’s a day to celebrate love, yes, but also friendship and admiration. So, it seemed fitting to ask members of the bedding industry to share the names of people within this sector who inspire them. Take a look at their responses and consider who you look up to in the sleep products world. Maybe this month would be a good time to let them know what a difference they’ve made to you.
“One of those people that puts you at ease”
I cannot believe it’s already been 10 years since Savaré’s participation in our first ISPA EXPO, which officially marked the beginning of our journey into the North American mattress market.
I feel extremely lucky and blessed for the opportunity to have met and worked with a tremendous number of talented, dedicated and kind people in our industry.
During the 2014 ISPA EXPO in New Orleans, I had the pleasure of meeting Bob Rensink, general manager at Denver Mattress.
Bob is one of those people that puts you immediately at ease. He has been successfully managing a state-of-the-art mattress facility and leading an outstanding, loyal and committed group of people throughout his remarkable career.
Beyond his business success, what I most admire about Bob is his unwavering love for life and his generosity and humility towards those who need it the most. He has a repertoire of amazing stories from his journeys around the world in his quest to source the best materials to produce outstanding U.S. mattresses.
Bob Rensink is a wonderful, funny and kind soul who I am lucky to call my friend.
Paolo Campitelli: Assembly industry manager for North America, Savaré
“They are the heart of our industry”
I have the utmost admiration for RSAs (retail sales associates) as a collective force. While not a single individual, they are the heartbeat of our industry, standing on the frontlines where every interaction, sale and success begins. Without their expertise, resilience, and commitment, nothing would get done — they are the foundation upon which everything else is built. Their role is incredibly challenging, demanding not only deep product knowledge and adaptability but also an unwavering dedication to ethical practices and customer satisfaction. RSAs don’t just sell; they shape the customer experience and define the reputation of our brands. Their contribution is invaluable, and they deserve every ounce of recognition for the critical work they do.
Bill Hammer: President, Shifman Mattress Co.
“He’s been true to character for decades”
For those of us who have grown up in this industry, we have a lot to be thankful for and many would agree we are most thankful for the people and relationships that have persisted through the years. One of those I’m grateful to know is a man I greatly admire, Karl Glassman, CEO of Leggett & Platt. That’s an easily recognizable name because he has been a fixture of this industry for so long, and that is part of my admiration for him.
He’s been true to character for decades — humble, generous and optimistic. He has always been friendly and approachable. He treats everyone he meets with dignity and respect and genuinely takes an interest in your well-being. I experienced this myself before joining L&P, and his encouraging spirit is a big part of what drew me to join Leggett & Platt. Since then, I’ve seen his interactions with many others, and he always expresses concern and respect for all.
Karl has consistently stepped up for worthy causes. He’s been an ardent advocate of the Seena Magowitz Foundation in support of raising funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer research. His example of generosity also drives Leggett & Platt’s commitment to annual United Way campaigns, disaster relief assistance and charitable causes around the world. He even recently put his own retirement on pause to resume his role as CEO to help chart a path for the company during a challenging period in our industry.
That brings me to the final character trait I strongly admire — optimism. As I’ve learned by Karl’s example, you can choose to face the future with fear and skepticism or choose to do everything within your power to make the best of whatever lies ahead. Karl is not an unrealistic dreamer. He’s just been through enough ups and downs to know how to frame future challenges and opportunities. His consistent optimism has shown me that a good attitude is critical to overcoming adversity or enjoying prosperity.
I must admit I was hesitant to write this. I was afraid people might cynically view this as a shallow, patronizing flattery of the leader of my company. But something else I’ve learned from Karl is sometimes you must ignore negative criticisms and maintain honesty to remain true to your character. Karl Glassman is a man I admire and truly represents the character of the season.
Paul Block: President of sales, Global Systems Group, a division of Leggett & Platt
“I could see the passion he had for the industry”
Wow, that’s a tough one. There are so many people that I have had the pleasure of working directly with or having had the opportunity to have met that I would say I admire — many mattress manufacturer owners, people in the press and industry leaders. But really the first person that came to mind was Ryan Trainer. Yes, Ryan! From the first day that I met Ryan, I could see the passion he had for our industry and how he felt that he could be influential and instrumental for the betterment of our industry. I admire Ryan’s tenacity, hard work, commitment and devotion he provided to us in the bedding industry throughout all the years (he served as International Sleep Products Association president).
There are quite a few more people I truly admire (like my wife who has put up with me for 50 years in this industry). But seriously, there are others, but only a few who have all the attributes that Ryan has shown.
I am happy to have had the opportunity to have met Ryan in the same industry that I, too, have a passion for.
Matt Connolly: Executive vice president, Bedding Industries of America
“There are simply too many phenomenal names”
It’s hard to pin down just one person or brand that I admire in this industry — there are simply too many phenomenal names.
Take Sidney Gonçalves da Silva, for example. Back in Brazil, he carved out an impressive legacy at Maxflex, introducing a high-end product to a market full of challenges. But what truly sets Sidney apart isn’t just the quality of his products — it’s his honesty. That genuine approach has built an incredible bond of trust with his customers, earning their unwavering loyalty over the years.
Then there’s Aslan Cohen in Mexico, who made Spring Air a household name by focusing on what made it unique. Today, his son Abraham Cohen carries that torch, steering the brand with an eye for aesthetics and cutting-edge innovation. Together, they’ve made sure Spring Air remains a leader in its market.
In Guatemala, John Mussack and the Diveco team continue to impress me. They’re masters at seizing opportunities to create distinctive and elevated products that stand out in a competitive landscape.
And the U.S.? The industry here is just as inspiring. Sleep Number leads the way with unmatched quality. Sheri McGuire at Serta Simmons is always pushing the boundaries of innovation. Allen Platek at Tempur Sealy International stands out for his contributions to product development. For example, the team breathed new life into the classic Stearns & Foster brand, transforming it into something fresh and exciting. Kingsdown stays ahead of the curve with trend-setting designs, while E.S. Kluft raises the bar with its flawless craftsmanship — along with many other remarkable players in the industry.
What ties all these incredible people and brands together is their commitment to originality, innovation and quality. They each have a unique sense of identity. At the heart of their success is a deep understanding of the customer. They listen, they adapt, and they create products that resonate with real needs and desires.
That’s what I admire most — authenticity, transparency and a fearless drive to make something truly exceptional.
Charlene Vaz: Director of design and marketing, BekaertDeslee North America
Read more BedTimes features.
