Mattress Firm appoints Stagner president
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, June 5, 2006
Houston — Bedding veteran Steve Stagner has been named president of bedding specialty retailer Mattress Firm. Gary Fazio, who had held the president's post, remains CEO and chairman.
Stagner, 37, has been senior vice president and chief operating officer of Houston-based chain since January 2005, when the company merged with its largest franchisee, Atlanta-based Elite, where Stagner was CEO.
He retains his COO title.
Stagner co-founded Elite and as CEO grew it to a 54-store chain in six markets. Before launching Elite, Stagner held sales positions at Simmons and Sealy, where he represented the Stearns & Foster brand.
Mattress Firm, an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, operates 317 bedding stores in 32 markets.
The new role for Stagner expands his leadership beyond operations, including oversight of marketing, merchandising, sales and vendor relations. As president, he will work with Fazio to set the company's direction and execute its strategic plan, the company said.
"Steve played an integral role in making 2005 Mattress Firm's best year in our 20-year history," Fazio said.
Mattress Firm, founded in 1986, says it is the nation's largest specialty retailer of top-of-the-line Sealy products and Tempur-Pedic mattresses.
