Spring Air, Mike Brown Retires After 46-year Career

July 23, 2018  by Laurie Northington in Executive Changes, Industry   

Spring Air will honor Brown at a cocktail reception in its World Market Center B-1126 showroom on Sunday, July 29 at 4 p.m.

With 46 years in the bedding industry, Brown has been affiliated with Spring Air since 2000, and has been in his current post since 2012. Earlier, he spent 28 years with the bedding division of Bassett Furniture in several sales and management posts, including executive vice president.

“Mike brought an amazing knowledge of the industry to our company and helped to pass on that knowledge to the rest of the group. Our licensees, vendors, and customers will all surely miss him,” said Nick Bates, president of Spring Air International. “Personally, Mike has helped me grow by sharing his years of experience and understanding of the industry.

Brown said he’s proud of what Spring Air has accomplished during his tenure, and is especially encouraged by the brand’s progress since the current ownership headed by Spring Air Chairman and CEO Ed Bates acquired it in 2008 after the previous owner filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

“I was fired right after the bankruptcy filing, but Ed Bates called me the same day and said he had bought the brand and needed someone to sell some of the leftover equipment and the inventory,” said Brown. “That’s how I got started with the new Spring Air, and it has been a good ride ever since.”

Brown said he’s encouraged by the enthusiasm 30-year-old Nick Bates has brought to the company, and believes the future is very bright for the 92-year-old brand.

“It’s good to get some younger blood in the organization. We older guys have had our day,” Brown said. “Nick never gives up. If something doesn’t work the first time, he stays after it until he finds something that will work.”

Brown said he will continue to reside in the Tampa, Florida, area with his wife following retirement.

“I couldn’t have picked a more rewarding career. I really enjoyed helping people get a better night’s sleep, but I especially cherish the relationships I’ve built and the friendships I’ve developed over the past 46 years,” said Brown.