Joanne's Bed & Back Shops Names Jon Studner CEO

Furniture World Magazine

JoAnne's Bed & Back Shops, the regional chain of "back-friendly"® furniture/accessory stores, has named former Mattress Discounters President/COO Jon M. Studner as its new CEO and President. Studner, a veteran retailing executive with almost 20 years of experience, has fashioned a formidable career in directing the operations of several highly successful businesses. It was under his direction that Mattress Discounters grew from 75 stores in three markets to more than 250 stores in 14 markets--and became the nation's largest mattress retailer. He is credited with contributing to similar growth at The Cosmetic Center, a specialty retail company for which he previously served as executive vice president & general counsel. Studner also was a managing director at the Julien J. Studley real estate brokerage firm, president of the American Free Trade Association and a practicing attorney at a general practice firm and as a sole practitioner. According to JoAnne's Bed & Back Shops founder JoAnne Schatz, Studner will begin immediately to direct the nine-store chain's retailing and marketing efforts. JoAnne and husband-partner, Skip, will continue in their current roles; JoAnne will remain the company's spokesperson. "We've built our success selling more than back products; we provide a service to people in need," explained JoAnne Schatz. "Jon has enjoyed great results doing exactly the same thing, which makes him the perfect match for us. We're delighted that he will be charting the company's course for the next decade and beyond." "JoAnne's has built its business by brand awareness, superb customer service and merchandising quality products that meet people's ergonomic and pain relief needs," added Studner. "I intend to capitalize on those strengths and grow this business into a national chain." JoAnne's Bed & Back Shops has six stores in the Washington area (Rockville and Beltsville superstores, Tysons Corner, Conn. Ave. NW, Waldorf and Springfield), two in Baltimore (Catonsville and Timonium) and one in Annapolis. The company offers a comprehensive inventory of backrelated products for the home, office, car and travel including "spinealign" mattress sets, adjustable beds, ergonomic office chairs, recliners & rockers, seat lift chairs, car seats and all of the newest accessories for proper back and neck support