Category Archives: Employee Spotlight

“What I Enjoy Most About My Job is Communicating, Connecting, and Helping People”

During Black History Month, we’re inviting L&P employees to share about what inspires them most.

Meet Roderick Brazil, Warehouse Manager at our Furniture Distribution Center in Conover, North Carolina. He’s been working with us for 15 years.

“I started my career through the prison work release program as a Bed Assembler and then switched jobs to Order Picker. Once I got on the Shipping/Receiving side, I saw an opportunity and started learning all the ins and outs of the operation.

This learning allowed me to be promoted to the Warehouse Lead. My manager, Faye Bolick, took me under her wing and showed me the ropes, which helped me to get into my current role as Warehouse Manager.  

What I enjoy most about my job is communicating, connecting, and helping people. This is important to me because I like to build relationships with the employees as well as the customers. Being in a position where I can help people grow and see their potential is exciting.

I am most proud of my two sons. Black history gives me the chance to look back at the hard work and the paths that were paved for me to grow and be where I am today.”    

“Giving Back and Paying It Forward is Something I Try to Do Daily”

During Black History Month, we’re inviting L&P employees to share about what inspires them most.

Meet Terry Sylvester, Fabrication Welder at our Work Furniture facility in Sparta, Michigan. He’s been with us since 2019.

“I most enjoy the environment that L&P has to offer. I like to surround myself with positivity. I also enjoy the people that I work with daily, which is important because most of your time is spent with your coworkers. Having an enjoyable atmosphere while working everyday adds value to my job. 

I am most proud of being a father — my three kids come before anything. I try to set the best example I can for them, giving back and paying it forward is something I try to do daily. Show and teach them along the way.

The celebration of achievements and contributions of Black individuals during the month of February reminds me of growth and setting that example daily. To see where we started, to learn and grow along the way is something to be proud of for anyone. But, the milestones that Black individuals accomplished is motivation to continue to strive for the top.”

“I’m Reminded of the Strength of Trailblazers Who Came Before Me”

During Black History Month, we’re inviting L&P employees to share about what inspires them most.

Meet Anita Gore. Anita is Senior Manager of Compliance and Systems Integration for Hanes, a division of L&P. She’s been with Hanes for nearly 22 years.

“In my role, I work to review and verify that our internal processes adhere to our company policies and procedures. My position allows me to learn everything from product pricing to shipping and receiving. Every day is a new learning experience! 

In life, I am most proud of my family, who has supported me throughout my career. My parents provided a firm foundation and made sacrifices to allow me to flourish. I am proud of how tight-knit and supportive we are of each other.

Black History Month is a platform to reflect on the struggles and accomplishments of Black women and men everywhere. U.S. history spent many years denying the achievements and accomplishments of Black people in America, and February brings those achievements to the forefront. It is a time to recognize and pay homage to those who paved the way for future Black engineers, scientists, doctors, businesspeople. 

This month concentrates on Black history to allow African American children to see that they have role models who look like them. When I reflect, I consider myself fortunate to have grown up with my great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents. I got firsthand knowledge of the struggles during segregation and the continued inequality that exists in America. 

This month, I’m reminded of the strength of trailblazers who came before me and how their hard work allowed me to have opportunities to excel. Failure to take advantage of those opportunities is a disparagement to my ancestors.

Black History month is a reminder that there is still a glass ceiling for Black people. The ceiling is moving upward and there are cracks and holes in the glass that have allowed some to move higher. We still have work ahead to gain true equality, but I am proud of the progress made. My responsibility now is to continue that progress and be a mentor to other Black individuals.”    

“Without Those Who Sacrificed Before Me, There Would Be No Me”

During Black History Month, we’re inviting L&P employees to share about what inspires them most.

Meet Antonio Mitchell. He is Warehouse Operations Manager for Hanes Geo Components in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He has been with L&P since 2004.

“When I started in the Hanes Dye & Finishing division, I was a Pad Inspector. I have been promoted into various roles over the years – Forklift Operator, Cycle Counter, and Shipping/Production Supervisor to name a few.

Now, as Operations Manager, what I enjoy most about my job is traveling to other locations and meeting new faces under the Hanes Geo umbrella. This allows me to continue to sharpen my career skills to become a better employee and manager. I also love the new adventures of day-to-day operations and seeing ideas and plans come together.

February means a lot to me. The first thing that comes to my mind is the continuous change happening throughout the world. It’s a month to create opportunity and be great at all we do.

I am thankful every day for what our ancestors, activists, scientists, and inventors have contributed to the world as a whole. From Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks who galvanized the civil rights movement, to Madam C.J. Walker and George Washington Carver who became self-made millionaires. From Langston Hughes, a famous poet in the Harlem Renaissance, to Carter G. Woodson, a famous scholar, educator, and publisher, to Thurgood Marshall, the first African American appointed to Supreme Court – without those who sacrificed before me, there would be no me. Celebrating Black history is every day for me.”

“I Try to Be a Life Saver to My Colleagues”

During Black History Month, we’re inviting L&P employees to share about what inspires them most.

Meet Portia Phifer, HR and Safety Manager at our Flooring Products facility in Statesville, North Carolina. She has worked with us for 4 years.

“As HR and Safety Manager, I most enjoy meaningful interactions with our people. If there are issues that they need help with, I am here to assist them. I pride myself on being approachable and easy to talk to. I even keep a dish of Life Savers on my desk as a reminder that I will definitely try to be a ‘life saver’ to my colleagues and in matters at our workplace.

I am most proud that while I didn’t take a traditional route of furthering my education, I was able to complete two degrees as a working adult.

I am excited that Leggett & Platt sees the importance of celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans. We benefit from many inventions on a daily basis that were directly contributed by African Americans. While I try to reflect on the history of African Americans on a consistent basis, this month’s acknowledgments and celebrations make me proud of the contributions made by people like me.

I think it’s important for my grandchildren to understand that they stand on the shoulders of great men and women, and they can accomplish great things as well.”

“I Have the Opportunity to Excel”

During Black History Month, we’re inviting L&P employees to share about what inspires them most.

Meet Marché Favors. She is a Senior HR Generalist at one of our Elite Comfort Solutions (ECS) facilities. She has worked with us for 5 years.

“In my role, I enjoy working with people and assisting employees through the hiring process and watching their development in their respective roles. My role is important because I engage with employees from the start of their employment journey with ECS. I introduce them to the company and remain connected throughout to assist as needed.

Celebrating Black history in February is special. It gives me a sense of pride to know that I have the opportunity to excel and to be successful in life. I am truly thankful to those who came before me and sacrificed in so many ways.”

“I Am, By Far, Proudest of My Family and Faith”

During Black History Month, we’re inviting L&P employees to share about what inspires them most.

Scoval Blevins is the Branch Manager at our Elite Comfort Solutions (ECS) facilities in Newnan, Georgia. He’s been with ECS for 8 years.

“My favorite thing about what I do is working with, mentoring, and helping to shape individuals. I truly value relationships, and I enjoy seeing individuals excel toward their greatest potential.

I am, by far, proudest of my family and faith. These two pieces of my life are the most important to me and have the greatest impact in everything I do.

Black History Month means a lot to me because it highlights for everyone the impacts by Black Americans. It further sheds great light on the advancements Black Americans have made throughout American history. There are strides still left to be made.”

“I Try to Celebrate My Heritage Every Day”

During Black History Month, we’re inviting L&P employees to share about what inspires them most.

Meet Sharon Pratt. She is a Routing Coordinator at our Flooring Products facility in Houston, Mississippi. She has been with L&P for 15 years.

“I enjoy talking to the customers and interacting with so many of them over the phone every day. I feel my job is important because I’m the person listening and trying to make sure that they are happy and get what they need on their delivery.

I am very proud to have a job that helps me as a single mother to be financially able to provide for my daughter.

To some, Black history may only be celebrated during the month of February, but not for me. I try to celebrate my heritage every day. I am a proud Black woman who has overcome so many adversities. With that being said, I think it is great that we celebrate our ancestors and share their contributions and achievements with others during the month of February.”

Employee Spotlight: Shanitha Johnson & Shannon Wofford


Our employees are at the heart of our company. Every day around the world, they dedicate their time, energy, and unique skillsets to manufacturing quality products for L&P. Two of our employees from Branch #1704 in Houston, Mississippi, shared what they love most about their roles in Flooring Products:

“I’m very proud to be a member of the production team at L&P. We produce
high-quality padding and work hard to ensure we’re able to meet our customer
demands. I take special pride in producing the St. Judes carpet pad. In this project, a portion of sales proceeds goes to children fighting cancer.”
Shanitha Johnson
Production Scheduler

“I enjoy working in such a family-based environment, working with and training others in various jobs. I enjoy every day that I am at work, and I find our facility to be a peaceful and safe workplace.”
Shannon Wofford
Plant Wide Float

The Hands That Make It: Cynthia Sanchez

“I’m fortunate to see how our employees take pride in the quality of product they produce. My team makes the core unit of mattresses we all sleep on. We’re a small part of an even bigger picture, since L&P is a leader in bedding technology. I’m also proud to be in a position where I can support the ideas of others. Often our processes grow through their suggestions. Unidos en Leggett & Platt todo es posible! (United in Leggett & Platt everything is possible!)”

Cynthia Sanchez
CI Facilitator & TPM Coordinator
Bedding | Ennis, Texas