ISPA elects Simmons’ Eitel chairman
Anderson of Tempur-Pedic is vice chair
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 17, 2008
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Charlie Eitel of Simmons was elected this week to a one-year term as chairman of the International Sleep Products Assn. board of trustees.
Rick Anderson of Tempur-Pedic International was elected vice chair and Kerry Tramel of Lady Americana Associates will continue as immediate past chair through April 2009.
Eitel has led the mattress manufacturers’ trade group since November, when he moved up to chairman when Jim Nation resigned from the board after leaving his job at Spring Air.
“We are at a major turning point in ISPA’s history with the board-approved involvement of the mattress retail community,” Eitel said in a statement. “It will now be up to the membership to ratify this enhancement to the association, and I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to substantial industry growth in these exciting times.
“New marketing and sustainability initiatives position us well for success as a united industry — including manufacturers, suppliers and retailers. I look forward to working with the ISPA Board and membership to expand the market for all stakeholders in our business.”
Also continuing in their roles for one-year terms are ISPA’s professional staff officers, President and CEO Dick Doyle and Treasurer Bob Bobowski.
Newly elected as ISPA trustees were Gerry Borreggine, Therapedic International; Michael Faus, Carpenter Co.; Dave Roberts, Comfort Solutions by King Koil; Stuart Spiller, Hickory Springs Mfg., and Kevin Toman, Englander Sleep Products.
Members who remain on the board are Michael Crowell, Flexible Foam Products; Perry Davis, Leggett & Platt; Laurie Horne, Springwall Sleep Products; David Karr, Comfortaire; Hank Little, Atlanta Attachment Co.; Jim Malkiewicz, Wickline Bedding; Bill McLaughlin, Select Comfort; Robert Parker, Restonic, Johnson City; Bryan Smith, Southerland; Tom Taylor, Western Nonwovens; Alvaro Vaselli, Foamex International; Don Wright, Wright of Thomasville, and Dave Young, VyMaC Corp.
Completing their terms on the board were Ken Conaway, Future Foam; Harrison Murphy, Ventex; Michael Pino, SOL Global; and Bob Naboicheck, Standard Mattress.
“These four professionals have made wonderful contributions to the association. Our board and staff appreciate their fine support, and we look forward to their continued leadership here at ISPA,” said Doyle.
