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From Home Furnishing Business
Former Pandora Jewelry Leader Joins Classic Brands as CEO
March 26,
2019 by Laurie Northington in Executive Changes, Industry 
In an effort to continue innovation and secure its leadership role in omni-channel retailing, specialty bedding producer Classic Brands has announced the appointment of former Pandora Jewelry President of the Americas Scott Burger to be its new chief executive officer.
Founder and CEO Mike Zippelli will become chief innovation officer and lead director of the company.
Burger is a senior executive with nearly 20 years’ experience successfully growing public and private consumer goods companies. At Pandora Jewelry he was credited with driving the company’s transformation from an entrepreneurial organization to a major global brand. In the process, he doubled the company’s revenue in less than five years.
This will be a return to Classic for Burger, who served as its chief financial officer from 2004 to 2007. Earlier in his career, Burger served in executive positions with Giant Food and Ryder Systems.
“We have seen tremendous growth in our business over the past two years that requires adding top management talent to our bench. Scott has distinguished himself as a terrific chief executive and, combined with his knowledge of our company and industry, will lead us to even greater success,” Zippelli said. “This move enables me to give up day-to-day responsibility and to focus on sourcing, product development and customer relations for the company as we expand our business, diversify our customer base and accelerate our go-to-market strategy.”
“This is a tremendous honor and a wonderful opportunity,” Burger said. “Over the last 30 years Mike turned Classic Brands into an industry leader, bringing innovation and technology to what had largely been an outmoded industry. That Mike is entrusting me with so much of his legacy is humbling. In my role as CEO, my focus will be on diversifying our customer base, enhancing and expediting our growth strategy, and positioning the company to compete in a rapidly changing marketplace. I am confident that we have the products, know-how, and talent to grow our success.”
Burger completed the executive education program at Harvard Business School, earned an MBA in finance and marketing from Loyola College and has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Baltimore. He will be leading a strong and established Classic Brands team including Dan Dietz, chief revenue officer; Mark Owen, executive vice president of sales and business development; and Keith Bluestein, executive vice president of merchandising and product development.