Rosemary’s journey with Tough Stuff Recycling (TSR) is a testament to resilience, dedication, and the transformative power of hard work. Starting as a temporary employee in California, she has risen through the ranks to become the Operations Manager at TSR’s Massachusetts facility, overseeing the recycling of over 12,000 mattresses each month.
Rosemary’s First Months at Tough Stuff Recycling
Rosemary’s entry into TSR came through a temporary role at the company’s West Coast site. Though new to the recycling industry, she embraced the physically demanding role of mattress recycling cutter. It wasn’t long before she began to see the deeper mission behind the work.
“I didn’t have much knowledge of the recycling world, but as I grew with the company, I started to see the bigger picture and became passionate.”
Her willingness to take on new challenges led to a series of promotions—from office assistant to warehouse lead. Recognizing her drive, CEO Mike Gurnee offered her the chance to lead.
“Mike, our CEO, saw the potential, drive, and dedication and put me as operations supervisor.”
Launching a Facility from Scratch
Rosemary’s next big challenge came when she was invited to help open TSR’s East Coast facility in Massachusetts. The space was empty, and the task ahead was immense—something she had never done before. But with focus and creativity, she made it happen.
She started with no established workflows or staff and had to build a functional, compliant operation that could meet growing demand. Today, she manages a full-time team, transportation logistics, and operational strategy.
“One of the biggest challenges was walking into an empty warehouse… I just put one foot in front of the other and thought outside the box.”
Her growth didn’t go unnoticed, here is what CEO Mike Gurnee had to say.
“Rosemary’s journey is a testament to the strength of her spirit, a beacon of resilience and dedication. From a temporary employee deconstructing mattresses to managing operations at one of the biggest mattress recycling centers on the East Coast, she exemplifies the transformative power of hard work and tenacity Not only seizing opportunities, but crafting them herself, building her path brick by brick, challenge by challenge. She’s not just an operations manager, she is the embodiment of the Tough Stuff spirit – persevering, innovative, and unwaveringly committed to making a difference!”
Managing People, Processes, and Growth
Now serving as Operations Manager, Rosemary is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations across the entire East Coast facility. Her role includes managing staff, optimizing internal processes, and ensuring compliance with company policies and industry regulations.
Her focus on structure and culture has helped transform a startup site into a streamlined operation. Under her leadership, TSR now services communities across Massachusetts with its own transportation team and dedicated staff.
Passion for People
What truly drives Rosemary is not just recycling mattresses—it’s building people up. She takes pride in helping team members advance and actively looks for ways to promote from within.
“If I can do it, you can. I love to hire within the company and move employees up to a higher position.”
The family-like culture she’s helped create is one of her proudest accomplishments.
Looking Toward the Future
Rosemary has ambitious goals for what’s next. She envisions expanding TSR’s footprint, possibly opening another facility—and eventually going global.
“My goal is to open another location. I envision international expansion.”
Her leadership is grounded in a clear belief: recycling isn’t just about removing waste—it’s about building something better for future generations.
“Recycling is not just about waste; it’s about rethinking how we create and consume to preserve our planet.”
Leading by Example
Rosemary credits TSR’s leadership team with inspiring her journey by modeling the kind of leadership she now passes on to her team.
“Leadership led by example—motivating us and helping us hit our goals.”
Her journey shows what’s possible when a company invests in people—and when individuals rise to meet each opportunity.