Top Sales Trainer McLean to Retire From Kingsdown
David Perry -- Furniture Today, October 12, 2011
McLean
MEBANE, N.C. - Tom McLean, widely considered one of the bedding industry's top sales trainers, has announced his retirement from Top 15 bedding producer Kingsdown.
After more than four decades in the industry, McLean, 67, says he's proud that he helped people get a better night of sleep and thereby improve their lives. Selling better sleep was one of his top priorities over the years.
In 1969, McLean had finished a tour with the Marines and was looking to start a career in business. A friend suggested he apply for a trainee position at Kingsdown. It was a good move, one that took him to a senior post at the bedding company.
McLean was most recently executive vice president of the company and head of sales training. He will remain a member of Kingsdown's board. He is passing his training responsibilities to Craig Wilson, vice president of training, who joined the company last year after serving in a similar capacity at Simmons for 15 years. McLean and Wilson have worked together for the past year.
"I am most proud of changing the way our company and industry sells sleep," said McLean. "When Kingsdown 
Wilson
created the Sleep To Live Institute, it was a game changer for our industry and our retailers. When you help a retailer understand the importance of selling the sleep experience, not only a mattress, you are helping them improve their business, create a closer bond between them and their customers, and help their customers get a better and more restorative night's sleep. I really loved the fact I could help so many people all these years."
Kingsdown Chairman and CEO Eric Hinshaw credited McLean with helping the company grow from a regional to an international brand.
McLean was an active member of the International Sleep Products Assn. He served on the Better Sleep Council for 17 years, chairing it for 12 years. He also worked on a committee studying industry standards for flammability. He was honored with the industry's Russell Abolt Service Award, its highest recognition for an industry executive.
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