Cathy Thorne Email and Phone Number

• Increased sales by 47% by Developing innovative lines of basic bedding products from concept to placements at major US retailers such as Bed Bath and Beyond, Walmart, Costco and Sam’s Club• Successfully developed a cooling technology that when applied to pillows creates a sleeping condition that is 5 degrees cooler than other competitive products allowing placements at QVC, Bed Bath and Beyond, At Home and many more resulting in a 15% increase in sales• Created licensing programs with national brands such as Martha Stewart and BCBG Maxazria to develop the appropriate lines of product within retail benchmarks• Globally sourced new fabrics, technologies and new products to differentiate our company from competitors• Established and cultivated strong strategic relationships with key external suppliers, for successful business outcomes• Worked closely with the marketing team to create innovative ways to present product to our customers

• Successfully generated new product ideas resulting in products being placed at major retailers like Target• Created the necessary tools to take a product from concept to retail ready item• Had a clear understanding of retailer’s private brands to develop the proper SKU resulting in placement at Macy’s under their Hotel brand• Created and executed a cohesive line of new products to be presented during Home Textile Market in New York inclusive of marketing tools and merchandising allowing the sales force to gain new sales and placements

• Played an essential role in the success and profitability of the organization by using a variety of technical, marketing, merchandising and sales skills to develop the proper products• Created licensing partnerships with brands like Perry Ellis, Laundry by Shelli Seagal and Serta to develop strategic lines of products for the appropriate channels of distribution• Traveled overseas to work with different factories resulting in the development of innovative and creative lines of products such as mattress pads, warming items, pillows and furniture slip covers• Responsible for competitive bench marking and capturing customer preferences to identify gaps in the company’s product assortment• Supported our sales team by providing them with the necessary samples, information and tools to successfully sell the products.

• Partnered with the design, product development and global sourcing departments for JC Penney, K-Mart, Sears, Target, Belk and others allowing the company to participate in the development of their private label brands resulting in sales of over $20 million by traveling internationally to effectively communicate, guide and oversee the product development phase• Consulted with major designers including Amy Butler, Thom Filicia, and Isaac Mizrahi; and brands such as Nautica and Christy in the design process resulting in fashion bedding placements at Bed Bath and Beyond, Linens and Things and QVC• Traveled globally to different manufacturing facilities, showrooms and trade shows which successfully increased the company’s scope in terms of design and creative product innovation• Successfully completed projects within the provided timeline and budget by effectively communicating daily with suppliers, merchandising and sales

• Implemented sourcing strategies that increased the company revenues by $900 million• Created more than $80+ million in value by strategically sourcing and developing private label brands for Target and other key retailers• Led a team of 8 people with a budget accountability of $10 million by motivating and encouraging them to perform to the highest of their abilities making them the experts that the company relied upon• Worked closely with merchandising to execute innovative fashion bedding products within the retail price points by strategically generating, screening, and analyzing new product ideas• Responsible for solely executing brands including Kate Spade, Susan Sargent and Court of Versailles with outsourced suppliers resulting in a new level of luxury product for Springs and new placement at major retailers