U.S. memory foam mattress manufacturer Anatomic Global appointed Patrick L. Johnson, formerly Chief Executive Officer of Pro-Dex, Inc., as Executive Director of its WorldBed humanitarian initiative. In this newly created position Johnson will focus on strategic growth opportunities and oversee fundraising efforts to make possible the delivery of 200,000 emergency field beds to displaced Haitians following the January 12 earthquake near Port-au-Prince.
“The need for beds in Haiti is so great that it requires us to partner beyond our key suppliers,” said Anatomic Global CEO David Farley. “Johnson will play a critical role in the WorldBed initiative. He has the right leadership skills, experience and contacts we need to reach our goal.”
Johnson will oversee fundraising efforts of $7.4 million, the cost it will take to make, transport and deliver on the ground 200,000 WorldBeds. To date Anatomic Global has been joined in the effort by FXI Foamex Innovations, Deslee Textiles USA, Royal Packaging, Brookwood Companies and Parakletos International. In addition, the company is re-investing its corporate profits from all operations for the first quarter of 2010 to manufacture WorldBeds for Haitian relief. This level of financial commitment will enable the delivery of the first 30,000 WorldBeds to Haiti, a process that has already begun.
At Pro-Dex, Johnson implemented a new strategic business model that significantly increased the company’s profitability. He has over 25 years experience in manufacturing and business development and previously held positions at Sybron Dental, Tycom Dental Corporation, Dabico Incorporated. He holds a masters degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University and bachelor degrees in Philosophy and in Legal studies from the University of California.
“I am very excited to contribute to this important project and enable Anatomic Global and its industry partners to provide much needed assistance to the victims of the horrible tragedy in Haiti,” said Johnson. “I really see it as a calling to use my leadership and business skills in such a way that it can make a difference to so many people in need. Our team is heading to Haiti in the next week to assess the needs on the ground so we can determine how to get the most help to the most people in the shortest amount of time.”
The WorldBed humanitarian effort encompasses a specially designed, cot-sized 3-inch foam mattress that can be quickly dispatched, in volume, to areas of need, anywhere, worldwide. It was created to provide needed comfort, increased levels of health and safety, and a more sanitary place to sleep in an effort to speed recovery and aid in healing.
WorldBed was initiated during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 in which Anatomic Global mobilized a team to make and distribute 3,000 field beds that ended up benefiting 11,000 persons in need. In response to the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit near Port-au-Prince, Haiti on January 12, 2010, Anatomic Global, Inc. CEO David Farley, revisited the WorldBed concept and began operating it as an adjunct business unit of his company on January 14, 2010. Its mission is to deliver 200,000 WorldBed products to displaced Haitians over the next year and will continue to aid other global disaster relief programs on an as needed basis. Companies and nonprofits interested in learning more about WorldBed should contact Executive Director Patrick Johnson at patrick@worldbed.org or 951-371-8101. For more information, visit www.WorldBed.org