DETROIT – Leadership at furniture giant Gardner White is staying all in the family.
Rachel Stewart, who has been Gardner White’s president since 2017, has been named the retailer’s Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1.
As the fourth-generation leader of the 112-year-old, family-owned and operated company, Stewart succeeds parents Barbara and Steven Tronstein, who have served as co-CEOs of Gardner White, as they take on new roles as Executive Chair and Chair respectively.
“Rachel’s strong leadership, innovative thinking and dedication to our employees, our company and our community give us confidence that she will continue to move Gardner White forward as she elevates to her new role as CEO of Gardner White,” Barbara and Steven Tronstein said in a joint statement.
As one of the only female leaders in the industry, Stewart’s dynamic approach to business and community have established her as a respected and admired leader, innovator and trailblazer.
With a strategic vision and an unrelenting drive for success, Stewart has been instrumental in Gardner White’s continued expanded footprint in southeast Michigan to include 13 retail locations throughout metro Detroit, Ann Arbor and Saginaw, and a team of over 1000 employees and growing.
Stewart has a strong passion for community and partnership, currently serving on the board of directors for Business Leaders for Michigan, The Parade Company, Math Corps, Detroit Economic Club and American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation. Under her leadership, Gardner White has been named Best Places to Work by lead industry publication Furniture Today for three consecutive years.
Prior to returning to Detroit to work in the family business, Stewart spent nearly 10 years working in the clean energy sector. Her last position was at the U.S. Department of Energy on a program working for Nobel-Prize winning physicist Dr. Steven Chu to drive down the installed price of solar energy to be competitive with other forms of electricity.
“I am determined to continue the thoughtful expansion of the Gardner White brand and am committed to strategic innovation to benefit the industry and our customers,” said Stewart. “It is a privilege to work alongside a team that shares the vision for the future and comes together to do remarkable work.”
As Stewart transitions to CEO, Gardner White announced industry veteran Brad Bailey as President of Gardner White. With a proven track record for driving billion-dollar growth for iconic bedding brands in both retail and manufacturing across the country, Bailey is recognized for his ability to work cross-functionally to develop vision, strategy and growth plans to deliver historic and record-breaking results.
Prior to joining Gardner White, Bailey served as Chief Sales Officer at Casper, where he led sales and operations for 65 retail stores throughout the country as well as the mass channel and wholesale sales divisions. He has also held leadership positions at Simmons, Serta Simmons and TempurSealy where he was credited with delivering growth in both profits and market share. Bailey will relocate to Michigan and assume his new role at Gardner White April 1.
“Michigan is a draw for top talent, and we have worked diligently to bring the most talented team in the industry to Gardner White,” said Stewart. “Brad’s vast understanding of the retail and manufacturing industry and impressive results are reflective of this. His experience and expertise will be key in our continued growth and delivering our customers an unparalleled Gardner White experience.”
“I am excited and honored to work with the Tronstein family as well as the outstanding leadership and retail team that they have assembled to help us continue to grow the Gardner White brand for many years to come,” said Bailey.
