Alexandria, VA — Jimmy Bush, senior vice president of corporate development at HSM Solutions, and Kerry Tramel, president of Lady Americana Associates were honored with the industry’s two prestigious awards for their outstanding service. The awards were presented during the 2014 ISPA EXPO Industry Breakfast in New Orleans, LA.

Jimmy BushBush was presented the Russell L. Abolt Exceptional Service Award, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual member on behalf of ISPA. Bush was nominated by his peers for having exemplified the highest level of career devotion to the well-being and betterment of the bedding industry. His exemplary involvement with the industry includes serving as a past chair of the supplier’s council, a member of the Better Sleep Council, Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, and other key bedding industry events and programs.

Dave Colburn, president and CEO at HSM noted, “The highlight of EXPO was the gathering of our team to join the industry in honoring Jimmy Bush with the Russell L. Abolt Exceptional Service Award. His tireless work in the industry has helped shape our company into the bedding solutions provider we are today. We are so proud of the lasting contributions he has made, not just to the bedding industry, but also to HSM.”

Bush’s son, an HSM employee, and daughter were in attendance for the presentation, as were many of Bush’s friends and colleagues.

Sandy VanDyke, owner, Interwoven Group, LLC said, “I had the pleasure of working closely with Jimmy Bush for eleven years and have known him for over twenty. Jimmy has served HSM in various capacities; however, his heart has always been with the bedding industry. In our corporate meetings Jimmy was recognized as the ‘go to’ guy whenever there were questions regarding the bedding industry. It’s easy to see why he is a deserving winner of this award.”

Kerry TramelTramel received the Robert MacMorran Memorial Award in recognition of his outstanding service to the mattress industry. The award was created by the ISPA Suppliers Council in 1979 to recognize those individuals in active pursuit of commendable service to the sleep products industry. Tramel served as ISPA’s chairman of the board, on the Finance Committee, and the Better Sleep Council.

Tramel’s family and friends were there to honor him and Don Wright, chairman and senior vice president of business development at Wright Global Graphics stated, “When you reach a certain point in your life, you finally learn who you can trust and who really matters to you. Kerry Trammel is one of those people who make it into that smaller circle. He is also the guy you want on your side if the going gets tough. He has integrity, and determination, and respects the value of a good friend.”

When asked how he felt after the award, Tramel commented “I was not fortunate enough to meet Robert MacMorran in person. I have had the privilege to know several of the previous winners of this prestigious award quite well. Each of these men exemplified tremendous character and an unwavering commitment to the bedding industry. To even be mentioned with men of this quality is an indescribable compliment, and I am forever grateful.”

The next awards will be presented at the 2016 ISPA EXPO in Orlando, FL on March 11.

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Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the growth, profitability and stature of the mattress industry.  As the industry’s trade organization, ISPA is the voice of the mattress industry, representing mattress manufacturers and suppliers throughout the world. ISPA provides a wide range of services that benefit its membership.  These include exclusive industry surveys and statistics, advocacy support, educational offerings, the industry’s ISPA EXPO trade show, safety research through its Sleep Products Safety Council, consumer research and education through its Better Sleep Council, BedTimes and Sleep Savvy publications, and more.

To learn more, visit www.sleepproducts.org or contact [email protected].