Stephanie Gorris joins Glideaway in new sales, marketing post

Will help develop independent sales network

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, September 23, 2010

Stephanie Gorris

ST. LOUIS — Glideaway Sleep Products has named home furnishings veteran Stephanie Gorris to the new position of national director of independent sales and marketing.

The mattress and sleep accessories source said it is creating a new department within its sales organization to focus on expanding the recruitment, training, and development of its independent sales network.

Gorris was formerly with Ashley Furniture Homestores of St. Louis and American TV, Furniture and Appliances.

"The goal of this position is to grow our team of independent sales representatives. Stephanie will recruit new reps and offer the support, training and development necessary to make a good living selling our products," said Ron Fredman, Glideaway's executive vice president of sales.
"Guided by her expertise, this expanded sales network will have the skills needed to reach new clients."

Since joining the company, Gorris has been developing an online training program to provide outside sales reps and retail sales associates tools to better communicate the benefits of Glideaway's product offerings, the company said.

"Through Stephanie's efforts, Glideaway will be targeting the independent family owned retail outlets," Fredman said. "Even with the emergence of the larger furniture and bedding chains, we believe mom-and-pop shops remain a major force in retailing in this country, and have been overlooked for many years by our industry. There is a huge opportunity for Glideaway to service this segment of the business."