Borreggine hands off ISPA chair to Passaglia

David Perry -- Furniture Today, March 18, 2013

ORLANDO, Fla. - The outgoing chairman of the International Sleep Products Assn. urged members of the bedding industry "to do what is right for your industry" and join ISPA's work on the mattress recycling issue.Gerry Borreggine, right, welcomes his friend Ron Passaglia to the chairmanship of the International Sleep Products Assn.
     A number of states have proposed "arbitrary and capricious" mattress recycling bills that would hurt bedding companies and only the "assiduous work" of the ISPA staff has prevented those bills from becoming a reality, said Gerry Borreggine, the Therapedic CEO who wrapped up his two-year term as ISPA chairman at the ISPA Industry Conference here.
     Succeeding him is Ron Passaglia, president of Restonic. Kathy Roedel of Select Comfort has been elected vice chairman of ISPA and is in line to be chairman, a rare feat for a woman.
     In his farewell address at the conference, Borreggine spoke to his peers.
    "We need everyone to come together so that we meet these challenges as a united industry," he said. "And that does mean everyone. If you are a member of ISPA, you are contributing in more than just spirit. If you are not, I urge you to join, and join now. Every retailer in this country is looking to you, and will expect you to do the right thing on their behalf."
     He also offered a pointed criticism of those who refuse to join ISPA's recycling campaign.
     "I think it's unconscionable that anyone who makes a living selling products in this industry could not or would not support its industry association in fighting for this cause," Borreggine said. "To those who are not here, or not with us, this is your chance to do what is right for your industry, and what is right for the retailers who sell our products. Join ISPA today."
     ISPA welcomed almost 80 new members in 2012, a group that includes startup companies, veteran mattress producers, component suppliers, and ISPA's newest membership category, manufacturers of top-of-bed accessories.
     Borreggine said ISPA has successfully rebranded itself in the past few years in a process that began during the chairmanship of Don Wright, chief marketing officer of Wright of Thomasville.
     "We changed ISPA from a staff-directed association to a member-directed association," he said. "The staff has successfully managed that change, and I am proud to say that today, ISPA is your association and is run by you, its members."
     Successful companies continually rebrand themselves, Borreggine said, and "ISPA has proved that it can be as successful an association as any company in the private sector."
     He ended by encouraging industry members to attend the next ISPA Expo, set for March 2014 in New Orleans.
    "We hope to see all of you and additional staff from your companies at the next Expo in New Orleans," he said. "The ISPA Expo is something that always seems to produce a new idea, a new product, a new relationship or a new friendship when it rolls around every other year. Please support your business and your industry by attending."
    Borreggine urged industry members to become active in ISPA. "ISPA is your association," he said. "To fully leverage all it has to offer to you, you need to be here, and if you really want to benefit, you need to be involved. My parting comment to you is: Be both."
     Then he became emotional as he delivered his closing comments: "I thank you all for allowing me to represent you and your interests over the last four years, and I am looking forward to the next two years in working with Ron and Kathy."