Bill McLaughlin, president and CEO of the Minneapolis-based bed retailer Select Comfort Corp., will speak at the next University of St. Thomas Alumni Association First Friday Luncheon at noon Friday, Feb. 6, at The Depot, 225 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis.

When McLaughlin joined the company in 2000, it was struggling and consumers were largely unaware of its product. Today, Select Comfort’s "Sleep Number" bed is becoming a household name. With 345 stores nationwide, Select Comfort is the nation’s leading bed retailer, profitably growing at a rate of 30 percent annually.

Prior to joining Select Comfort, McLaughlin was president of Frito Lay Europe, Middle East and Africa. He will offer a look at Select Comfort’s success story and share his vision for the company.

On first Fridays of each month, October-December and February-June, the alumni association’s First Friday Luncheon Series offers lunch and a speaker of current interest. St. Thomas alumni and friends, along with the general public, are invited. Cost of each luncheon and presentation is $20.

Reservations for the Feb. 6 luncheon are due Monday, Feb. 2. Early reservations are recommended as these events fill quickly.

For reservations and further information, call the St. Thomas Alumni Association, (651) 962-6430, or register online the association’s Web site, http://www.stthomas.edu/alumni.