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August 5, 2024
CertiPUR-US® Program Names Dan Dobratz Deputy Executive Director
(August 5, 2024 – Rochester Hills, Mich.) The CertiPUR-US® program announces the appointment of Dan Dobratz as deputy executive director. Dobratz, who has spent most of his 50-year career in various technical and managerial roles in the flexible polyurethane foam industry, will initially serve as deputy executive director. When the organization’s current executive director, Michael Crowell, retires later this year, Dobratz will lead the nonprofit foam certification program as executive director.
Earlier roles included first-line supervision for synthetic detergent manufacturing with Procter & Gamble, pouring line manager for Carpenter Company, and field technical service for flame retardants used in rigid polyurethane foams at ExxonMobil Chemical.
Dobratz says he is pleased to be reunited with Crowell after working together in the industry several years ago. “I’ve known Mike since he was head of automotive sales for Foamex and have tremendous respect for his ability and dedication to the CertiPUR-US® program,” said Dobratz. “I’m very excited for the opportunity to work with foam producers, manufacturers and retailers and to continue the program’s success and remarkable growth.”
Established in 2008, the CertiPUR-US® program is a certification program for flexible polyurethane foam used in mattresses, sleep-related products and upholstered furniture. More information, including technical criteria for certification, may be found at www.certipur.us.
July 24, 2024
Ted Frey Passing, a Founder of B&J Warehouse in PA
Brought to you by Vander Plaat Colonial Home
Tilghman Frey
Fair Lawn, New Jersey
November 25, 1937 – July 18, 2024
Tilghman Frey
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Tilghman Frey Obituary
Tilghman “Ted” Frey, Jr, age 86, of Fair Lawn, passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024. Ted was born on November 25, 1937, in North Arlington, NJ, to Tilghman and Katherine Frey.
Ted proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He cherished time spent with family and friends, soaking up the sun at the beach, watching his grandchildren’s sporting events and was an avid Giants fan.
Ted is survived by his beloved wife, Beverly Frey. Devoted father of Christopher Frey and Matthew Frey and his wife Leah. Stepfather of Danielle Maleta and Kristen Campanile. Loving grandfather of Hayden, Jaime, Hudson, Jack, Brooke, Dominic, and Madison. Also adored by his Yorkie, Sabrina, who he treasured.
Friends and family may visit with the family on Friday, July 26th, 2024 from 3:00-7:00 PM at Vander Plaat Colonial Home, 13-31 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn.
Funeral mass to be held on Saturday, July 27th at 10:30am at St Anne’s RC Church, 15-05 Saint Anne Street Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. Cremation to be held private.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Ted’s memory to Glioblastoma research. https://www.gbmresearch.org/
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Tilghman, please visit our floral store.
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/32407090/tilghman-%22ted%22-frey,-jr
July 15, 2024
CertiPUR-US® Executive Director, Michael Crowell, Announces Retirement
(ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich.) Michael Crowell, who has served as CertiPUR-US® executive director for the past ten years, has announced he will be retiring by the end of the year.
Under Crowell’s decade of leadership, CertiPUR-US foam certification program participation has expanded from 29 foam producers in five countries to more than 100 foam producers in 17 countries, now encompassing much of the foam supplied to the U.S. bedding and upholstered furniture markets. Crowell has played a key role in transforming the flexible polyurethane foam, bedding and furniture industries to make foam products used in the home safer and more sustainable. In May, Crowell was honored with the organization’s Outstanding Leadership Award.
“It’s been the highlight of my career in the foam industry to be involved with the CertiPUR-US program. It’s a win-win program,” says Crowell. “In setting rigorous standards for foam, we position the industry for continued growth while serving the public by providing a certification that ensures foams contribute to safer homes and better indoor air quality.”
Crowell’s distinguished career includes more than 40 years of senior management experience in the flexible polyurethane foam industry, spanning technical, manufacturing, sales and marketing positions. Before taking the helm at CertiPUR-US, he served as vice president of marketing and sales for Flexible Foam Products, responsible for government and industry product compliance, marketing and sales. He previously was vice president of automotive sales for Foamex International (now known as FXI).
Crowell holds an MBA with a focus in global management from Michigan State University and has served on both the CertiPUR-US program and the International Sleep Products Association board of directors. Crowell’s successor will be announced in August.
May 21, 2024
Board Chairman Glassman Now President & CEO of L & P
LEGGETT & PLATT APPOINTS KARL GLASSMAN AS PRESIDENT AND CEO
May 21, 2024 7:30 AM ETLeggett & Platt, Incorporated (LEG)
CARTHAGE, Mo., May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ —
- Karl Glassman appointed President and CEO and will continue to serve as Board Chairman
- Mitch Dolloff resigned as President and CEO and a member of the Board
Diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt (LEG) announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Karl Glassman as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Karl will continue to serve as Board Chairman. This follows the decision by Mitch Dolloff to resign as Chief Executive Officer and a member the Board, also effective immediately, having mutually agreed with the Board that now is the right time for a change in leadership at Leggett & Platt. Mitch will serve in a consulting capacity for one year to assist in the transition.
Karl has served as an executive director and non-executive director on the Leggett & Platt Board since 2002, and previously served as CEO from 2016 to 2021. Karl has served in other various leadership capacities with the Company over his 42-year tenure, including Chief Operating Officer and President of the former Residential Furnishings segment.
Lead Independent Director Robert Brunner commented, “Karl knows the Company better than anyone, and we are pleased he has agreed to step back into the CEO role. Karl’s intimate knowledge of the Company’s end-markets and operations, along with his strong relationships with Leggett’s customers and employees, will ensure a seamless transition. He embodies Leggett’s values and has an impressive track record of creating value and empowering world-class teams. The Board is confident that Karl is the right leader to guide Leggett at this critical time as the Company navigates the current market environment and positions for long-term profitable growth.”
“I am honored to return and lead Leggett at this important time for our company,” commented Glassman. “The restructuring plan, other operational improvement initiatives, and our focus on strengthening our balance sheet create a clear path toward a more focused, agile company with the ability to deliver improved profitability and enhanced shareholder value. I look forward to working with our talented team to advance our key initiatives and am confident we can build upon Leggett’s strong foundation, capitalizing on opportunities ahead.”
Brunner continued, “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mitch for his many contributions to Leggett throughout his more than 20 years with the Company. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit Leggett’s website at www.leggett.com.
COMPANY DESCRIPTION: Leggett & Platt is a diversified manufacturer that designs and produces a broad variety of engineered components and products that can be found in many homes and automobiles. The 141-year-old Company is a leading supplier of bedding components and private label finished goods; automotive seat comfort and convenience systems; home and work furniture components; geo components; flooring underlayment; hydraulic cylinders for material handling and heavy construction applications; and aerospace tubing and fabricated assemblies.
CONTACT: Investor Relations, (417) 358-8131 or invest@leggett.com
Cassie J. Branscum, Vice President, Investor Relations
Kolina A. Talbert, Manager, Investor Relations
May 15, 2024
F. Quinn Stepan
Birth: October 24th, 1937
Death: May 13th, 2024
F. Quinn Stepan OBITUARY
The world lost an extraordinary man on May 13, 2024. F. Quinn Stepan died peacefully in his home of 60 years.
The beloved husband of the late Jean “Snowy” Stepan (nee Finn) and devoted son of the late Alfred Charles and Mary Louise Stepan lived his life for others. Quinn Stepan had many passions, his first was his love for his wife, Snowy. They were married for 63 years and raised eight children.
He was the loving father of Jeanne (Rob) Schoder, Quinn (Debbie) Stepan Jr., Jennifer (Jim) Beqaj, Lisa (Tim) Hackett, Colleen (Jay) Tulimieri, Alfred (Candice) Stepan and Richard (Heather) Stepan and the late Todd Stepan. Cherished grandfather of Theresa (Joe) Stepan Dumais, Meghann (John) Stepan Kelly, Quinn P. Stepan, Robby (Taylor) Schoder, Mari Schoder, Scott (Mary) Schoder, Charlie Schoder and the late Michael Schoder, Jack, Sam, and Sarah Beqaj, Grace, Francie, Timmy, and Johnny Hackett, Quinn, Jeanne, Libby, and Jack Tulimieri, Spencer Stepan, and Haley, Finn, and Brenna Stepan. He also was blessed to be the fond great grandfather of Olivia, Hudson and Miles Schoder, Faye and Scott Schoder, Colin, Katelyn, Lilly and Andrew Dumais, Mac, Step, Walt and Rhetta Kelly, and Quinn H. Stepan.
Quinn Stepan was born in 1937 in the middle of an economic recession, the tough times would influence his lifestyle choices. He was the third child of Alfred and Mary Louise. He was a proud member of the Winnetka Stepan family with four brothers and two sisters. He grew-up on the Village Green, sitting on the cannon, running in the Fourth of July races and swimming in Maple Street Beach.
Quinn and Snowy Stepan hosted the extended family for the Turkey Bowl and Thanksgiving for more than 100 people, for four decades. Traditions were important to Quinn, he believed that gatherings created the opportunity to build connections and strengthen bonds between people. Quinn was the dear brother of Stratford (Judy) Stepan, Charlotte (Jim) Stepan Shea and John (Bonnie) Stepan and Brother-in-law to Richard Wehman and sister-in-law to Nancy Leys Stepan. His sister Marilee Stepan Wehman and sister-in-law Ann Ruppe Stepan, brothers Alfred Stepan and Paul Stepan predeceased him.
Quinn attended Faith, Hope and Charity, Loyola Academy, and then the University of Notre Dame. He cultivated life long friendships across each of these institutions. After Notre Dame, he served in the Army and moved with his young family to Michigan, Texas and New Jersey. Eventually they found their way back to Winnetka, earning an MBA at the University of Chicago, residing in the shadow of Faith Hope for the last 60 years.
He loved Winnetka and Lake Michigan. Quinn never forgot the foundation of his Catholic education and he firmly believed in its importance. He would serve as the Chairman of the Board for both Loyola Academy and Woodlands Academy. He spent decades on the Notre Dame Liberal Art Council and was an ardent supporter of Big Shoulders and the Stepan Scholars program at the Our Lady of Grace parochial school. He believed Catholic education was important to build people of good character and sound mind. He definitely valued a liberal arts background, he said it was important for students to develop their thinking and writing skills. He funded the Stepan Economic Chair at Notre Dame to coax the best professors to stay in the College of Arts & Letters instead of decamping to the Business Schools.
He shared his leadership and management skills tirelessly to help these institutions flourish.
Quinn Stepan will also be remembered for the company he lead. His Team took the company his father founded in 1932 and made it a global powerhouse. When Quinn joined Stepan Company in 1961, net sales were $17.3 million and net income was $1.3 million with 3 domestic industrial plants. Today, it is a global company with 22 plants in 12 countries with 2 billion dollars in sales that employs more than 2400 people.
He loved going to work everyday at Stepan. He built a culture of idea sharing, congeniality and excellence. He ate lunch in the company cafeteria so he could visit with the troops. He was recognized as an industry leader and was honored with the Elva Walker Spillane Distinguished Service Award in 2010.
Family will always be the greatest legacy of Quinn Stepan. His family was his top priority. He loved everyone, he cared deeply about their well-being, their education, their futures and their passions. He was the catalyst for incredible family events – holiday celebrations, travel escapades that included European and American driving tours, Mediterranean boat cruises, golf outings, ski trips, Olympic experiences, African safaris, early trips to India and China. He wanted to share the joys of travel with others and wanted to create a wonder for the vastness of the world.
He chronicled all these good times – the games he attended, the beautiful places visited, graduations, baptisms etc.… It was not uncommon for relatives to be jockeying for position on his photo shelves. He loved his photos and being surrounded by the smiles and love of the family he had built. He was dedicated, steadfast and resolute. We knew that we always had a cheerleader in our corner. It is these memories that will provide comfort. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and colleagues. Hopefully, all can take the lessons of Quinn’s well lived life and move forward to be the catalyst for change to make our world a little better.
Visitation Thursday, May 16, 2024, 10:00 a.m. CDT at Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Church, 191 Linden Street, Winnetka, IL 60093, it will immediately be followed by a 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass. To virtually attend the funeral Mass, visit F. Quinn Stepan’s obituary page on donnellanfuneral.com to access the link to the live streaming. The family invites you to a reception immediately following Mass in the Saints Faith Hope & Charity Parish Hall. Interment private All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either: Big Shoulders Fund. Info: donnellanfuneral.com or 847-675-1990
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