Jim Nation named president of Five Star Mattress

Donna Zett shifts to post at parent company Serta

Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, November 4, 2009

Jim Nation

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Jim Nation, the former Spring Air president who joined Serta International last year, has been named president of Five Star Mattress, a mattress producer also owned by Serta's parent company.

Nation, who has more than 30 years of experience in the mattress industry, had been president of sales development at Serta International since September 2008.

He joined Spring Air in 1990 and was the company's president from 1995 to 2007. He also held posts with Sealy and Bassett Bedding and is a former chairman of the International Sleep Products Assn.

"I am excited to lead Five Star Mattress," Nation said. "I see a great opportunity to fulfill the vision of a national, value-price brand with big brand quality and capabilities."

Nation is replacing Donna Zett, who had headed Five Star since the company was launched in 2007. Zett is remaining with Serta International as chief innovation officer, the position she held before being named president of Five Star

Five Star, which focuses on retail price points of $299 to $999 in queen, contracts with Serta factories to produce the line.

Five Star and Serta are owned by Ares Management and the Ontario Teachers Pension Fund.