Valor ERG Spotlight: Meet Jon Gullette

At L&P, our employee resource groups (ERGs) are communities where our colleagues can learn and grow together. We recently launched Valor – an ERG dedicated to creating a strong community that fosters belonging, support, and engagement for our employee veterans, military families, and allies.

To celebrate Valor’s launch and growth, we’re sharing members’ stories. This month, we’d like you to meet Jon Gullette, Branch Manager at Leggett & Platt Flooring Products – Tracy, in Tracy, CA! We asked Jon about his military experience and why he joined Valor.

What would you like to share about your military experience?

I was fortunate to see many foreign countries during my period of service. I deployed six times during my career. During my sea tours, I deployed overseas four times with land-based anti-submarine squadrons (VP-46 & VP-9) and twice with a shipborne anti-submarine squadron (VS-38) aboard the USS Constellation (CV-64) during the Persian Gulf War. My other duty stations include NAS Whidbey Island (P-3 Weapons system Instructor) and NAS Lemoore (F-18 I-level maintenance facility). I also had the great honor of advancing to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and working directly with the Commanding Officer of AIMD Lemoore.

What motivated you to join the military and what did you learn from your experience?

I was motivated to join the Navy so I could see the world. My passion was for flying, and the job I took when I joined the Navy allowed me to do that as a Naval Aircrewman in P-3s, which were anti-submarine aircraft. I was able to visit places like Africa, Oman, India, Pakistan, Australia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and China. One goal was to set foot on every continent, and I was able to accomplish most of that. The only continent that I have not visited is Antarctica.

Why did you join Valor?

I joined Valor to help raise awareness of the struggle that service members face when they exit the service. It is a difficult transition even for people who stay only briefly. So, helping others be successful outside the service is very important to me.

Thank you, Jon, for your service, for sharing your experience, and for helping strengthen Valor’s community!

Our Global Mindset

At Leggett & Platt, our reach spans continents, but our strength lies in how we think – collaboratively, inclusively, and with a global perspective.

  • 119 Manufacturing Facilities
  • Operating in 18 countries
  • Employing 17,700 people
  • 14 business units across three diverse segments: Bedding Products, Specialized Products, and Furniture, Flooring & Textiles
  • 14 Languages spoken

From bedding to flooring, textiles to automotive components, our teams around the world work together to deliver comfort, innovation, and quality – everywhere we are!

Happy Global Talent Acquisition Day!

September 3rd is Global Talent Acquisition Day!

Every day, our TA professionals help connect job seekers around the world to L&P. We’re proud of them and grateful for their dedication to shaping a positive candidate experience and growing our L&P community.

Help us celebrate them by getting to know them a little better. We’ve got musicians, artists, animal lovers, and more on our global TA team!

  • April Lowe-Royster, Senior TA Manager: You’ll never see April without pearls on!
  • Carla Maselli, Senior Talent Advisor: Carla is teaching Junior – her cockatiel bird – to talk, but so far, Junior only knows how to bark thanks to Carla’s dogs. We’ll get him to say “Hi, Mommy,” soon enough!
  • Carley Smith, Senior Talent Advisor: Carley is a Minnesota Vikings fan (despite never having been to Minnesota).
  • Danielle Sattler, Talent Advisor: Danielle just welcomed a new puppy – a toy poodle named Lainey – into her home. Lainey has the cutest curls, lots of energy, and wants to chew everything!
  • Felicia Bond, TA Manager: Felicia’s passion and hobby is painting, and one day, she hopes to start an art-focused business. We’ve seen her art, and we know she’ll be successful!
  • Ginna Gonzalez, College Programs: At one point, Ginna’s dinner table hosted five languages, three time zones’ worth of jet lag, and one universal truth: laughter really is the best translator. Over the years, Ginna has had the privilege of serving as a host parent to international students – ages 7 to 60 – seeking cultural immersion and learning English.
  • James Tilley, Senior TA Manager: James lived in Spain as a child and speaks Spanish. Also, he’s got the cutest sausage dog named Oscar.
  • Jimmy Xia, TA Manager: Jimmy’s beard grows extremely fast – like he-can’t-miss-a-day-of-shaving fast.
  • Kathy Bolan-Thorman, Senior Talent Advisor: Kathy enjoys live theater and volunteers at several local venues. As a kid, she recruited the neighborhood kids and organized live shows in her garage – and only charged 10 cents a ticket.
  • Taelor Harden, HR Intern: Taelor plays the clarinet!

Happy Labor Day!

Wishing a very Happy Labor Day to all our teams that are celebrating!

Supporting Our Community’s Youth

A group of employees recently came together for a special evening in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jasper/Newton County. It was a great night filled with connection, community spirit, and a shared commitment to making a difference.

Big Brothers Big Sisters works tirelessly to mentor and empower at-risk youth – helping them reach their full potential through positive relationships and guidance. By attending the event, our team was proud to stand behind their mission and contribute to the life-changing work they do.

At Leggett & Platt, giving back is part of who we are. Supporting causes like Big Brothers Big Sisters is just one more way we invest in communities where we live and work.

Thank you to Kaycia Frieden, Leeann Gardner, Mendi Westhoven, Alexa Driskill, Cheryl Jones, and Suzanne Hall for representing L&P at the event.

Making a Difference Together: United Way Day of Caring 2025

Sunshine Children’s Home Volunteers

Recently, Leggett & Platt employees joined hundreds of volunteers across southern Missouri for United Way Day of Caring – a powerful day of giving back and lifting up our Leggett communities.

From painting and repairs to hands-on clean-up projects, our team brought energy, heart, and teamwork to three local organizations: the Jasper County Youth Fairgrounds, the Carthage Crisis Center, and Sunshine Children’s Home. Thanks to their dedication, each site saw meaningful improvements that will continue to serve those who rely on these vital community resources.

At the Jasper County Youth Fairgrounds, volunteers tackled everything from the Small Exhibit Building to the 4-H concession area. Others spent the day supporting the Carthage Crisis Center, which provides shelter and care for individuals in need, while a third group helped beautify and assist at Sunshine Children’s Home, a space devoted to caring for vulnerable children in our area.

We’re honored to support the Carthage Area United Way and proud of the impact our employees continue to make through service and connection.

Carthage Crisis Center L&P Volunteers
Jasper County Youth Fairgrounds Volunteers

W:ISE Champions Volunteerism Across the Company

Throughout the month of June, members of W:ISE Employee Resource Group (ERG) inspired members to give back to their communities through acts of service and philanthropy. The initiative encouraged everyone to find a way – big or small – to make a positive impact, reflecting our company values of putting people first and doing great work together.

From supporting local blood drives, volunteering at a local library, and cleaning community spaces, to helping animals find forever homes, members embraced the call to serve. Participants from North Carolina to Missouri and Canada to Brazil volunteered at organizations like the Red Cross and community outreach programs like Carthage Crisis Center and The Foster Closet, showing just how much we can achieve when we come together.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, talents, and compassion to make a difference. Your efforts not only strengthen the communities where we live and work but also embody the spirit of teamwork and care that defines our values at Leggett & Platt.

Breanna Wagster taught her daughter about blood donation at the American Red Cross in Winston Salem, NC.
W:ISE members Amber Jewett, Roxanne Willard, Suzanne Hall, Heidi Gustin, Jordan Doherty, and L&P employees Mallory Hill, Cheryl Jones, Chelsea Day, John Nguyen, and Erin Wampler helped revitalize the local 4-H building along with a local 4-H family in Carthage, MO.
Jacque Sappington, Abbie Campbell, and Susan Chapman helped spruce up Sunshine Children’s Home in Carthage, MO.
Beth Jones and a friend donated their time to The Foster Closet in Columbus, Kansas.
Julie Kampling walked and provided comfort to local shelter dogs.
W:ISE member Cintia Soares and 25 Leggett & Platt employees donated blood in Brazil.
Roxanne Willard donated her time to the Jasper County Youth Fair in Carthage, MO. She and the group of volunteers donated 64 hours in one week!
W:ISE member Nancy Tellez and L&P employees Damares Valencia, Sarahi Valenica, Ruby Bahena, and Osvaldo Vieyra from Leggett & Platt Flooring Products in Aurora, IL, walked in support of Lurie Children’s Hospital and in memory of Nancy’s niece, Avanalis.
W:ISE Members Liliana Cano-Montoya, Renee Dodson, Matt Durham and L&P employees Robert Fecke, Ashley Hance, and Greg Shoup helped paint the women’s dorm at Carthage Crisis Center.

A special thank you to Juliet Tinker, Holly Snow, Joe Wiersma, and Isabel Perez, who collectively volunteered in their local communities through various roles, including assisting at a school library, performing in a church praise band, and participating in an International Day of the Girl workshop.

HR Leadership in Action: Renata Mattos Featured in Manage HR Magazine

We’re proud to share that one of our own HR leaders, Renata Mattos – Director of HR – Automotive, North America – was recently featured in Manage HR magazine!

In the article, “How HR Can Drive Strategic Initiatives in Times of Uncertainty,” Renata reflects on her over 20 years of experience across South and North America, highlighting how HR can create people-first workplaces that thrive even in the face of change and challenges. She shares insights on building resilience, fostering connection, and empowering employees – drawing on both her time at Leggett & Platt and her earlier career in Brazil.

Congratulations to Renata on this well-deserved recognition!

Read the full article here: How HR Can Drive Strategic Initiatives in Times of Uncertainty

Supporting Humanitarian Efforts Around the World

August 19 is World Humanitarian Day!

At L&P, we are proud to support humanitarians around the world by contributing to the organizations they work for. In 2024, we contributed nearly $500,000 in cash or in-kind donations to more than 150 organizations.

Today and every day, we’re grateful for humanitarians and the life-saving work they do!

We Rise: Helping Employees After Catastrophic Events

In 2011, we started We Rise – an employee and company-funded program that helps meet the emergency needs of L&P employees in the aftermath of catastrophic events and natural disasters.

From 2021 to today, the We Rise fund has donated $110,000 to 49 employees – all thanks to the generosity of our teams.

We want to say thank you to our teams for contributing to the fund and for putting people first!