Dale Carlsen

Dale Carlsen is on the Investment Board of Moneta Ventures Fund II and Fund III. A CSU Sacramento graduate, Dale founded The Sleep Train, Inc., in 1985 and grew the company to more 300 stores in 6 states with over 1,600 employees. In 2010 the Sleep Train became an employee-owned company through the use of an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). In 2014, Sleep Train merged with Mattress Firm, to become the first specialty bedding retailer with stores coast to coast and border to border. The combined companies now operate over 3,500 stores in 48 states.

​Dale is currently the CEO of the Ticket to Dream Foundation, a 501(c)3 charity founded in 2008 to serve the needs of foster children. This year, Ticket To Dream Foundation has expanded from helping foster youth in 5 western states, to helping foster youth across the US. In addition, Dale is CEO of Bunker Wilson, LLC, a real estate investment company.  He attributes his success to his father’s advice, “Surround yourself with great people, treat them well, and make everyone successful.” Dale was named Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012, Sacramentan of the Year in 2012, and received an ​Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from CSU Sacramento in 2013.