HOUSTON (January 26, 2018) — Mattress Firm, Inc., the nation’s largest specialty mattress retailer, today announced that Ken Murphy will step down as CEO and President and Steve Stagner, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board, will assume the additional responsibilities of CEO effective March 1. The joint decision by Mr. Murphy and the Board of Directors reflects the need for a singular voice of leadership for the Company as it navigates the next phase of its growth story.
“Ken has been an integral part of growing our company, and we are forever grateful for his incredible 20-year impact. His charismatic leadership style has contributed greatly to our culture at Mattress Firm and has inspired our entrepreneurial zeal for many years and he will be dearly missed,” said Mr. Stagner. “We are now in a new phase of our development as the first and only coast-to-coast mattress specialty retailer. We will look to our experienced leadership team to build on our platform of unique business assets to win at retail, leverage our scale to bring unparalleled value to the customer, and navigate the current environment.”
Mr. Stagner, who has been with Mattress Firm for more than 20 years and served as CEO from February 2010 to March 2016 will assume direct leadership of operations of the Company. He guided the Company through the “Great Recession” in 2008 and 2009, and oversaw Mattress Firm’s successful initial public offering in 2011. Additionally, he led the Company through periods of rapid growth, driving the Company from $400 million in sales to over $3 billion today. Mr. Stagner has extensive experience in the bedding industry, including employment with mattress manufacturers Sealy Corporation and Simmons Bedding Company, as well as owning and operating the largest franchisee in the Mattress Firm network prior to joining the corporate office in 2005.
“Being part of this company has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I am confident in the future of Mattress Firm and bringing Steve back as CEO is the right thing to do for the next chapter of the business. It’s bittersweet to step down, but I am incredibly proud of the success we have built together,” Mr. Murphy said.
About Mattress Firm
Founded in 1986, Mattress Firm strives to help customers find the beds they want at the price that fits their budget. Today, Mattress Firm has grown to be America’s largest bed retailer, with more than 3,000 neighborhood stores and a passion for helping people find the right bed. Mattress Firm helps customers’ budget stretch further with a broad selection of mattresses and bedding accessories from leading manufacturers and brand names, including Serta, Simmons, Dream Bed, tulo and Sleepy’s. In 2016, Mattress Firm was acquired by Steinhoff International Holdings. Committed to serving its communities, the Mattress Firm Foster Kids, a program of the Ticket to Dream Foundation, hosts six collection drives a year in communities nationwide to ensure that foster children have the resources needed to succeed.
Business Contact:
Scott McKinney
Senior Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations
ir@mattressfirm.com
(346) 718-5402
Media Contact:
Erica Martinez
emartinez@jacksonspalding.com
(214) 269-4404
(877) 259-8527