Borreggine Named ISPA Chairman

March 28, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on March 29, 2011

The International Sleep Products Association elected Therapedic International President and CEO Gerry Borreggine chairman at its annual industry conference.

Borreggine said the key agenda item for the trade association will be stronger industry advocacy in Washington and state capitals where new legislation threatens the economic recovery of the sleep products industry.

"Our industry needs a strong voice in Washington and in state capitals where legislation threatens the economic recovery of our members," he said. "ISPA's strongest work has always been as an advocate and first line of defense for the industry, almost like an insurance policy, for the continued health of the sleep products sector."

He added that creating greater value for members was also a key agenda item.

"The value proposition for current and former members must be so strong that large companies understand the importance of their participation, and smaller members can€™t exist without it," Borreggine said. "We need to continually reassess organizational priorities and make sure we are doing what members want and need."

Borreggine is a 34-year veteran of the mattress industry. He began his career in 1977 as an executive with "40 Winks," which was a leading sleep products retailer in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area with 23 stores. He joined Therapedic International, one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of sleep products, in 2003 as vice president of sales and marketing. One year later, he was appointed its president and chief executive officer.

He became active in ISPA more than 20 years ago when he was the first retailer asked to join the board of the Better Sleep Council, the consumer education arm of ISPA to help consumers learn more about the health benefits of getting a better night's sleep. He became the chairman of the Better Sleep Council in 1999 and served in that role for five years. He joined the ISPA board in 2008 as a trustee, became an executive committee member and ultimately vice chair of the group two years ago.
 
Borreggine replaces Don Wright, chairman of Wright of Thomasville, who chaired ISPA for the past 18 months.

"I am proud of the achievements we have made during my term to restore ISPA's fiscal health by trimming expenses and increasing effectiveness, efficiency and revenues," Wright said. "Moreover, we stabilized the organization during a time of unexpected leadership change and refocused our priorities on core principles.

"On the revenue side, we have seen increases from key programs like our bi-annual EXPO and new members. Likewise, we have taken important steps to reduce costs including staff, and even leasing vacant space in our headquarters building to third-party tenants to defray operating expenses."

ISPA President Ryan Trainer said he was grateful for Wright's stewardship these past few years, and welcomed Borreggine€™s agenda for the future.

"The changes at ISPA over the past year or so really are transformational to make the organization much more vital to the business interests of our members," he said. "We are making significant investments as well to improve our communication with members, including enhancements to our website, a greater footprint in social networking, and a facelift for our industry publications."

ISPA also elected other new officers and trustees at its annual meeting.

Ron Passaglia, the president and chief executive officer of Restonic Mattress Corp., was elected vice chair. Trustees elected to new two-year terms included: Aslan Cohen of Spring Air Mexico; Bill Creekmuir of Simmons Bedding Co.; John Larsen of Lady Americana/Sound Sleep Products; Kathryn Roedel of Select Comfort Corp.; Scott Veitzer of Omaha Bedding Co.; Brandon Wolf of Wolf Corp. Trustees re-elected to an additional two-year term, included: Rick Anderson of Tempur-Pedic International; Michael Crowell of Flexible Foam Products; Eric Hinshaw of Kingsdown; Ralph Rossdeutscher of Natura World; and Dean Woods of C.J. Hodder Lumber Co.