Southerland Names 30-Year Industry Vet to New Executive Vice President of Sales Role

Furniture World News Desk on 2/18/2019

Southerland recently announced that experienced bedding industry veteran Joe Paviglianti has joined the independent mattress producer in the newly created position of executive vice president of sales.

Paviglianti, who brings more than 30 years of bedding manufacturing and retail experience to the post, will play a key role in the growth of the company, which recently acquired a new plant expanding its reach into the Pacific Northwest and also launched an international licensing program.

Prior to joining Southerland, Paviglianti was executive vice president of sales for mattress producer INTELLIbed. In addition to his time with INTELLIbed, a Southerland business partner, Paviglianti worked as vice president of store administration for mattress retailing leader Mattress Firm, president and chief operating officer of Kingsdown Direct, and president and chief executive officer of retailer Sleep Country USA. He also has worked in the retail industry as a national merchandising field director for a national department store and held a number of other managerial positions.

In his new position, Paviglianti reports to Bryan Smith, president and chief executive officer of Southerland.

“We were very deliberate in our search to fill this position as we were looking for someone with wholesale sales experience, but also someone who had an intricate knowledge of the retail floor. They also needed to mesh with our company’s current culture,” Smith said. “We’re confident we now have the right person on our team to not only lead, but improve, our sales network.

“Joe has extensive experience in the bedding industry, specifically overseeing sales of mattress producers and retailers over the last 15 years,” he added. “With our recent acquisition of Tualatin Sleep Products, we’ll lean on Joe to help expand our retail network in the U.S.”

“I am excited to join the Southerland team and start contributing,” Paviglianti said. “The culture, the leadership and the management team here at Southerland stood out to me as they have the company well positioned to provide excellent values and products to help our retail customers grow their bedding business.”

Paviglianti currently lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife and daughter, but will be relocating to Nashville. Born and raised in Upstate New York, Joe graduated from the State University of New York Albany.

About Southerland: Southerland has been making quality mattresses in the U.S. since 1893. Using only best-in-class materials and components, Southerland currently sells its line of mattresses and adjustable bases throughout 43 states. By implementing its stringent quality assurance program, Southerland manufactures mattresses that are backed by the company’s “making it right” philosophy that stands behind every product delivered. Each of its products is delivered to retailers via its wholly-owned transportation company. The company’s seven production and distribution facilities in Nashville, Tennessee; Cleveland, Ohio; Phoenix, Arizona; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Tualatin, Oregon, total more than 480,000 square feet.