Ryan Trainer Leaves a Legacy of Successes
ISPA Recognizes Longtime President With Exceptional Service Award.
Ryan Trainer said becoming the International Sleep Products Association’s general counsel in the early 2000s was serendipity.
“I’ve had a lot of good gigs in my life, a lot of fun work, a lot of great people to work with,” said Trainer, who recently retired as president of ISPA and the Mattress Recycling Council. “But by far, working with ISPA has been the pinnacle of my career. It’s been a really good experience all around.”
During his nearly 25-year tenure as both general counsel and later president, Trainer was credited with righting the association in a difficult period following the financial crisis of 2008 and shepherding the industry through the creation and implementation of federal open-flame standards. He also helmed the association as it shaped mattress recycling laws in California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island, and has been instrumental in leading the industry to embrace sustainability and circularity more broadly.
This year, Trainer is receiving ISPA’s Exceptional Service Award.
An offer he didn’t want to refuse
Trainer began his relationship with ISPA during the early 1990s when, in private practice, he worked on a case involving imports of softwood lumber, which is used in mattress foundations.
“Through that case, I got to know Russ Abolt, who was ISPA president at that time. Then we started doing other work for the association on product liability and other issues,” Trainer said. “I gradually got to know more and more parts of the industry and the association.”
A decade later, Abolt offered Trainer a job as ISPA’s general counsel and the No. 2 executive role at the association. “At that time, I had two young kids, and I was getting burned out by private practice,” he said. “It was just a perfect opportunity, and I jumped at it.”
It wasn’t just family considerations that swayed Trainer to join the association in 2002. “I really respected ISPA and liked being part of a team as opposed to being a hired hand,” Trainer said. “As part of the team, you’re part of the strategic process and strategic planning.”
When then-President Dick Doyle left ISPA in 2009, Trainer thought he’d be a good fit for the top job.
“At that time, I was involved in almost all aspects of the association,” Trainer said. “I knew the industry’s leadership well; I knew the industry well. I was actively involved in trying to figure out what the industry would do on recycling and was very familiar with the flammability issues. I felt I was in a position to provide continuity and to guide the industry.”
The ISPA board agreed, and Trainer was named president of the association in 2010. It was a challenging time for the industry, which was reeling from the lingering effects of the 2008 financial crisis, and for ISPA itself, which was experiencing a decline in membership.
“I felt that by being transparent, by communicating well and by making sure I was consulting the board regarding where we needed to go on different issues, I would give it my best shot and things would work out well, and I think they did.”
From an organizational standpoint, Trainer focused his early attention on rightsizing the association’s staff, reorganizing some roles and duties, and creating a strong strategic plan for the association. He credits several industry veterans for helping to ensure his early success, including Gerry Borreggine, Ed Malechek, Kathey Roedel and Don Wright.
Fair-minded and level-headed
Trainer brought experience in the sleep products industry and his legal expertise to the role of ISPA and MRC president, but his personality was also a strength in the job. Many ISPA members and staff, as well as other stakeholders, see him as a steady presence, fair-minded and level-headed. He credits himself with being a good listener and having a generally positive disposition.
“I’m an upbeat person and that helps me, I think,” he said. “If you approach something with an optimistic view, it makes the whole process easier and more enjoyable. And I think it makes the outcome better.”
And then there’s his penchant for digging deeply into issues.
“I really want to understand the problems we’re facing. A good recent example is California wanting to ban fiberglass from mattresses. I wanted to understand how this material is being used, what our alternatives are, how we need to organize our arguments, how to work with legislators and regulators,” Trainer said.
That analytical ability has served ISPA well. “I like fact gathering and keeping my ears open to different points of view. I want to listen and learn from the experts,” Trainer said, adding that his goal when addressing industry issues was always to find “a sensible position that is good for the industry, good for the consumer and something efficient to implement.”
“A huge accomplishment for our industry”
Trainer said he felt like he hit his stride in his role as ISPA president when the first state mattress recycling laws were passed in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island in 2013.
It was an issue that had threatened the bedding industry for decades, and some earlier state proposals would have been too onerous for mattress manufacturers to implement and manage.
“We’d been in opposition to some bad bills and defeated those, but then we were able to come up with our own versions, get support for those and get them enacted,” he said. “We were at the table negotiating, striking compromises that were efficient for the industry, accomplished policymakers’ goals and would reduce the number of mattresses going into landfill. It was a huge accomplishment for our industry.”
The passage of those laws also felt like a personal victory.
“I felt very confident, very comfortable with what we were doing,” Trainer said. “It was a huge relief and an accomplishment for me, too.”
Sustaining a legacy
Since the first state mattress recycling laws went into effect, the MRC, which operates the programs, has recycled more than 15 million mattresses, diverting 500 million pounds of materials from landfills and reducing illegal dumping.
The focus on mattress recycling helped to spur other sustainability efforts throughout the industry. Under Trainer’s direction, ISPA launched the ISPA Sustainability Conference in 2022, and a component of MRC’s efforts is a certification program for California factories, the Sleep Products Sustainability Program, also known as SP2. MRC also invests in research to find new and better uses for used mattress components.
“ISPA is now very actively involved in the sustainability front, and I think our members are seeing tangible benefits from it,” Trainer said. “The approaches to sustainability vary around the world. The approach we’re taking is a very practical, beneficial approach — an approach that will benefit our members’ bottom lines, but also that allows us to get ahead of the policymakers and regulators to anticipate issues that may be coming down the line.”
What’s next
At 68, and with a string of successes behind him, Trainer decided the time was right to retire and let a new leader take the helm. ISPA and MRC found that leader in Alison Keane, an environmental attorney who led the Flexible Packaging Association and held executive roles at the American Coatings Association.
Trainer’s plans for retirement include the traditional goals: spending time with his family, hanging out with his dog (a 3-year-old cattle dog mix named Blue) and traveling. His itinerary includes an African safari and a trip to the Galapagos Islands, plus lots of scuba diving and regular trips to Brazil, where Trainer’s wife grew up. And, as an avid philatelist who hasn’t always had time for his hobby, he’ll work on his stamp collection.
He also plans to keep some ties to the industry, serving on the MRC board and through other “professional volunteering.” Though comfortable with his decision to retire, he admits he’ll miss much about his job, including the energy he got every time an ISPA EXPO or board meeting rolled around.
“It’s just been a tremendously rewarding experience,” he said. “I’m so glad that Russ approached me.”
ISPA Honors AAC’s Hank Little With the 2025 ISPA Vanguard Award
Hank Little, former president of Atlanta Attachment Co. (now Atlantic Automation Co.), is the 2025 recipient of the ISPA Vanguard Award. The honor celebrates Little’s visionary leadership in advancing innovative products and solutions to meet evolving consumer needs for safe, affordable and restful sleep.
Laurie Tokarz, ISPA board of trustee chair and president of Restonic Mattress Co., was among those who nominated Little. “Hank has built his career on strong relationships with his customers and within the industry,” she said. “He is highly respected for his professionalism and ability to create meaningful connections with customers and colleagues. As a leader in the machinery sector, he has developed cutting-edge solutions to meet the changing needs of customers, particularly with the growing demand for automation. His commitment to research and finding new ways to solve challenges has truly raised the bar for the entire industry.”
Leading AAC into a new era
When Little joined AAC as vice president of sales in 2003, the Lawrenceville, Georgia-based company was known for manufacturing and servicing machines for the domestic apparel industry. At that time, AAC had only shown systems at its first ISPA EXPO in 2002, but after Little was appointed president in 2006, the mattress industry became the largest segment of AAC’s business.
Global expansion and diversification
In the wake of NAFTA and the 2008 financial crisis, Little recognized that AAC’s future depended on expansion. Over the next two decades, Little dedicated AAC to diversification, opening new markets and strategic partnerships abroad. On his watch, AAC evolved into a global manufacturer of automated and custom systems and components, serving industries in more than 75 countries. He also oversaw the 2006 launch of Atlanta Parts Depot, which supplies replacement parts for AAC and other manufacturers’ machines.
Little maintained that AAC was “a machine shop,” but focused on the company’s pillars: research and development, a strong technical staff and customer service. Under his leadership, AAC introduced automation advances that reduced labor costs, increased production, communicated with other systems, and made automatic updates and remote repairs. Innovations included integrating Industry 4.0 principles, real-time monitoring and tracking and enhancing the capabilities of sewing and tape-edge machines, mattress lines, gluing and foam assembly. AAC also developed compression and roll-pack equipment.
Commitment to sustainability
Little championed sustainability at AAC, prioritizing efficient machines, waste reduction, recycling programs and eco-friendly materials. He also stressed the need to work with regulators and industry associations, comply with sustainability standards and earn consumer trust.
Navigating new ownership
Eventually, AAC’s growth and expertise attracted the interest of Hickory, North Carolina-based holding company HSM, which acquired AAC in 2016. Little stayed on as president, successfully integrating AAC into HSM’s diverse portfolio while preserving its operational independence and people-centered culture.
“Without our employees, we’re nothing”
Throughout his tenure, Little supported AAC’s workforce with continuing education, advancement from within and open-door leadership. “I want everyone to feel like they can come talk to me,” Little said. He took great pride in the consistency and low turnover of AAC’s team and its people-first leadership.
Little’s lasting legacy
After retiring in December 2023, Little remains with AAC as an adviser, ensuring continuity for the next generation of leadership. Recently, Little reflected on his role in shaping AAC’s place in the industry and receiving the ISPA Vanguard Award.
“I am very honored to receive this award,” he said. “This recognition is not just a reflection of my individual efforts but more a testament to the dedication, hard work and passion of every person at AAC that I had the pleasure to work with for over 20 years. Their support, collaboration and shared dedication to the company’s success made every step of this journey meaningful and possible. I am so grateful to have been part of such an amazing group of people, and I look forward to cheering on their continued success as I enjoy the next chapter in my life. Thank you once again for this incredible honor.”
Covestro Earns MRC Distinguished Service Award
This year, the MRC Distinguished Service Award will recognize Covestro for its contributions and commitment to the growth and success of mattress recycling.
A leader in sustainable solutions, Covestro has championed the development of post-consumer recycled materials, supporting the transition to circular mattress designs while setting a gold standard for environmental stewardship in the industry.
“Covestro’s commitment to sustainability and innovation has set a high standard for our industry,” said Richard Diamonstein, 2023 MRC Distinguished Service Award recipient and managing director of Paramount Sleep Co. “The quality of their innovative research and collaboration with MRC and ISPA has advanced mattress circularity and recycling initiatives, driving meaningful progress and paving the way for a more sustainable future.”
Covestro, a producer of high-performance polymers, collaborated with the Mattress Recycling Council to improve and expand mattress recycling in the United States, focusing particularly on polyurethane foam. The partnership started with Richard Skorpenske, Covestro’s vice president of public affairs for North America.
“Soon after MRC launched our first state mattress recycling programs, Richard Skorpenske asked if Covestro’s know-how might help our research efforts,” said Ryan Trainer, former ISPA and MRC president. “As part of his company’s global commitment to sustainability, Covestro generously shared its talents and connections and helped MRC identify new and better uses for recycled mattress materials and improve our recycling efficiencies. MRC’s partnership with Covestro is a tremendous example of how our industry can use its materials expertise both to provide consumers a good night’s sleep and solve end-of-life challenges to recycling old mattresses.”
Mike O’Donnell, MRC chief operating officer, agreed. “Covestro has been an outstanding partner in helping MRC improve every part of the mattress lifecycle — from design and materials to collection, transportation and recycling,” he said. “Their expertise in polyurethane foam and commitment to finding new uses for reclaimed materials have driven real progress. Richard Skorpenske’s leadership has played a pivotal role, and we’re grateful to the entire Covestro team — both current and retired experts — for sharing their knowledge, supporting our research and helping us navigate the broader research community.”
In an interview about sustainable design, Skorpenske spoke about Covestro’s vision: “Covestro is fully focused on the circular economy principle and becoming a guiding force for the entire plastics industry,” he said. “Society and economics must find new ways of putting our world’s limited resources to good use and make the circle our new guiding principle: Viewing used products as a resource, recovering everything we can from them to recycle along the value chain. It also means exploring alternative sources of sustainable raw materials, such as biomass. Overall, it is important for our company to design cycles efficiently and by using renewable energy, thereby enabling a true circular economy.”
Working together, Covestro and MRC are driving innovation to make mattress recycling more effective through supply chain efficiencies and identifying new and better uses for used mattress materials. Additionally, Covestro’s global perspective has helped guide MRC toward sustainable developments that will shape a more circular mattress industry while setting a standard for environmental stewardship.
“Their efforts are helping MRC plan for a more sustainable future, and we’re proud to recognize their impact,” O’Donnell said.
Read more on the upcoming ISPA Industry Conference at BedTimesMagazine.com.
