Former Blue Apron CEO Takes Top Job at Sleep Number
Sleep Number Corp. will have a new CEO next month.
On Wednesday, the Minneapolis-based mattress maker announced that it has appointed Linda Findley as its next president and chief executive, effective April 7.
Most recently the head of delivery meal kit service Blue Apron, Findley will succeed Shelly Ibach, who had already announced plans to retire this year. Findley also previously worked as chief operating officer for Etsy.
Findley is set to take the reins at Sleep Number amid a challenging time for the company. Sleep Number has reported net losses exceeding $15 million for its last two fiscal years. The mattress maker also has been facing continued criticism from Stadium Capital Management – its largest shareholder. In November, Stadium blamed Ibach for “a colossal destruction of shareholder value” during her tenure.
Sleep Number’s board evidently believes that Findley will be able to turn things around. In a news release issued Wednesday, the company cited her “specific experience … in organizational transformation.”
Phillip Eyler, who the board has unanimously picked to succeed Ibach as board chair, said that Findley “will advance our ongoing transformation and guide the company into its next chapter.”
“With a proven ability to champion change, enhance performance, drive revenue growth and build engaging brands, Linda is well-equipped to lead Sleep Number as we work to capitalize on the significant opportunity ahead of us and to deliver long-term value for our stakeholders,” said Eyler, who will officially take over as chair after Sleep Number’s annual shareholder meeting.
