Mattress Firm promotes three executives

Craig McAndrews, Dave Brummett, Stephen Leggiero named VPs

David Perry -- Furniture Today, February 16, 2010

HOUSTON — Mattress Firm, one of the nation's leading bedding specialty retailers, has promoted bedding veteran Craig McAndrews to vice president of merchandising. He will be responsible for strategic merchandising planning, vendor relations and analysis of merchandising performance.

The company also announced the appointment of two other vice presidents. Dave Brummett has been named vice president of product development, a new post, and Stephen Leggiero has been named vice president of branding.

Steve Stagner, CEO and president of Mattress Firm, said the three executives have strong bedding and business backgrounds.

"Craig provides a tremendous amount of industry experience for our organization," said Stagner. "He has seen all sides of the business from owning a franchise to retail consulting. Drawing from his vast industry experience, Craig will help build on our current merchandising platform by developing competitive strategies around data-driven insights."

McAndrews, who joined Mattress Firm as a franchisee in 1999, later left the company to open a retail consulting business. He rejoined it last year and had been East regional sales manager before his promotion.

Brummett was formerly vice president of merchandising at Mattress Firm. He will oversee the development of a product strategy and the overall direction of product, price, promotion and placement on a national level.

"Dave is a seasoned veteran with 21 years of experience in the furniture and bedding industry," Stagner said. "He has been instrumental in creating a phenomenal merchandising line up and building vendor relations."

Brummett joined Mattress Firm in 2007 as vice president of emerging markets. Earlier, he worked Mattress Giant, Sears Homelife and Simmons.

In his new post, Leggiero will oversee the development of a brand strategy that incorporates customer service, marketing and advertising. He was formerly regional vice president of central Texas for Mattress Firm and oversaw the Houston, Austin and San Antonio markets.

"Stephen joined Mattress Firm with 25 years of high-level experience in business development, operations and brand and product management," Stagner said. "His previous brand management experience with industry leaders such as Procter & Gamble coupled with his insight into the Mattress Firm culture and business model will aid in the development of a comprehensive brand strategy."

Leggiero joined Mattress Firm in 2007 as vice president of store operations. Before that he worked for JCPenney, GNC, LensCrafters and Procter & Gamble.