Board Member

A recognized industry legend, Gary Fazio is respected for driving billion-dollar growth for iconic bedding brands in both retail and manufacturing top leadership positions while appealing to diverse consumers across the nation. By carefully assessing situations, learning consumer needs, and identifying all possible market opportunities, Gary consistently produces extraordinary business turnarounds. Not only does he have a reputation for breaking historic profit records, he is known for building world-class executive teams.

As CEO of Serta Simmons Bedding, Gary led operations for Serta International, Simmons Bedding, and 38 manufacturing sites across North America. Upon his promotion into this position, he formulated a 27-month plan that added immeasurable value to both Serta and Simmons brands. In doing so, he secured Serta Simmons Bedding to be the nation’s #1 manufacturer of the leading bedding brands with a 40% national market share. This plan drove billions in revenue, maximized profitability, streamlined operations, reconfigured all leadership teams, and successfully positioned the organizations for an eventual IPO. While restructuring the business, Gary capitalized on every opportunity to improve value and service for customers.

Prior to this role, Gary was CEO of Simmons Bedding Company, which he was hired to rebuild after the company’s restructure and corporate sale to Ares Management, LLC and Ontario Teachers’ Private Capital. Gary, famous for his turnarounds, revitalized the 140-year-old brand, guiding it to amongst the most recognized and respected bedding name in the industry by both consumers and retailers. He achieved a near 3+ point market share increase, realizing the highest share in the company’s history, while increasing profits 30%. Gary accomplished this by forming top-performing teams and motivating them with strategic incentive programs.

While serving as CEO and Chairman of Mattress Firm Inc., Gary turned a fledgling regional chain into the nation’s leading multi-brand mattress retailer. He built a visionary executive team and introduced a Relative Market Share (RMS) model which saturated 44 markets with over 800 stores, secured dominant share of voice, and achieved high market share position. Through seven major acquisitions, he further accelerated growth, implemented LEAN principles, revamped store design to better target female decision-makers, and redefined sales performance store metrics. In doing all this, he led Mattress Firm Inc. to win acclaim from Home Furnishing News and Furniture Today. Today, Mattress Firm Inc. has revenue over $4 billion in sales, 2,500 stores and is recognized as a supreme bedding retailer.

Previously, Gary served as Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Sealy Corporation, where he improved the sales, production, and financial management of 20 production facilities. In this role, he brought national sales to $930 million and drove double-digit improvements in operating cash flows. While creating a conceptual selling process that’s still regarded as an industry benchmark, he increased operating profits 57% and repositioned Stearns & Foster to become America’s #1 luxury bedding brand.

Gary Fazio has a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University. He is driven by challenges and undaunted by obstacles. He has the distinction of being a leader who possesses the experience, capacity, and judgment for taking business to its next level of success and resolving deficiencies that impede its ability to grow and prosper.