Corsicana Expands Product Development Team, Adds 3 Design Execs

June 10, 2020  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

Cooley and Tasleem oversee product development including design, cost analysis and marketing campaigns for the private label segment. Jimenez assists in development and testing of new designs, assess feasibility for plant operations and inspect new samples. All three report to Mike Loomis, vice president of product development and innovation.

“For the past year we have been focusing our product development on brand building to help our retailers. It is now time for us to renew our focus on private label programs that can help our partners with our research and technology to deliver high-quality products at aggressive pricing in an industry that is constantly shifting,” Loomis said. “Having a team of experts that possess impressive leadership skills and knowledge of the industry is crucial in building our private label programs. I am more than confident Kevin, Aqsa and Nohemi will bring continued success to Corsicana and create long-lasting relationships with retailers across the country.”

With the three appointments, Corsicana’s product development team boasts a range of perspectives in mattress design. Cooley brings a wealth of sales knowledge; Tasleem’s forte is in textiles; and Jimenez has strong operational and technical skills. The three new appointees join David Cartlidge, senior product manager, in the department. Cartlidge’s background as a retail buyer gives the company another perspective.

Cooley joined Corsicana in the last year as a territory manager where he is credited with opening 24 new accounts and training retail sales associates on products. Cooley has more than 20 years of mattress and furniture sales experience, and prior to joining Corsicana, Cooley worked for several mattress companies throughout his career including Spring Air, Pleasant Mattress and Serta Mattress. Cooley holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Illinois.

Tasleem has a decade of experience starting her career as a merchandiser with Kassim Denim and then joining Standard Textiles Co. as a global sourcing agent. She then worked for sleep accessories company Bedgear, and later JCPenney in the men’s apparel division overseeing private labels.

Tasleem received a master’s degree in business administration from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a bachelor’s degree in textiles management from Textile Institute of Pakistan.

Jimenez has been with Corsicana since 2015 working in the company’s customer service and national accounts department while a student at the University of Texas at Dallas.  She became a product development intern in 2019 during her senior year of college and upon earning her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, she was promoted to her new, full-time position.

Cooley and Tasleem live in Dallas with their families; and Jimenez lives in Corsicana, Texas, with her family.