Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Classic Brands Restructures Sales and Product Development Executive Teams
January 24,
2020 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry
To support continued growth, specialty bedding producer Classic Brands has announced the reorganization of its sales management and product development teams by redefining roles for three existing vice presidents and welcoming back a former executive to head another.
J.P. Ledoux has been named vice president of product development for mattresses and is charged with overseeing product development for mattresses, toppers, and pillows; Keith Bluestein has been named EVP of product development for furniture and oversees product development efforts for furniture; and Paris Fealy has been named vice president for adjustable bed bases and manages product development and sales support for adjustable bed bases.
Classic Brands is welcoming back Justin Gannon, who was previously with the company for more than six years as vice president of sales. He returns to that post and oversees sales for brick and mortar customers. All four executives report to Dan Dietz, chief revenue officer.
Gannon is rejoining the company after spending nearly four years with bedgear as director of sales. In addition to bedgear and Classic Brands, Gannon, an executive with more than 22 years in the bedding industry, also held positions with Sealy and sleep retailer Mattress Discounters.
In his new role, Gannon will support the company’s growing mix of national and regional retail players, and will work closely with Mark Owen, EVP of sales and business development.
In 2018, Classic Brands hired Bluestein to oversee the company’s expansion into new categories and to expand its international sourcing capabilities. Since joining the company from youth furniture supplier Delta Children, Bluestein has led the company’s charge to build the line of easy-to-assemble upholstery, bedroom and occasional furniture. In his new position, Bluestein will focus on product development for the company’s furniture and metal bed segment. Prior to his time with Delta, Bluestein was with Bassett Furniture where he held several positions, including director of national accounts for the company’s youth division.
Fealy joined the company last year from Ergomotion to help grow Classic Brands’ adjustable bed base business. He will lead the company’s sales effort in the category and will also manage product development for adjustable bed bases. In addition to his time with Ergomotion, Fealy held sales positions with Sealy, Serta and sleep retailer Mattress Giant.
Ledoux joined the company in 2016 as vice president of sales for Classic Brands and has worked with the company’s key accounts in retail and e-commerce. During his tenure, he has been integrally involved in the company’s sourcing and product development for mattresses and pillows, which have been a significant factor in the company’s sales growth. Prior to joining Classic Brands, Ledoux held executive positions with King Koil and Spring Air.
“Our dramatic sales growth requires Classic to commit strong leadership to all categories. Expanding our teams in product development and sales will help Classic deliver innovative products while improving our speed to market. I congratulate J.P., Keith and Paris. I also welcome Justin back to Classic. I’m confident this team will deliver strong growth across all of our categories,” said Scott Burger, chief executive officer of Classic Brands.