GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Brian Walker is joining the board of directors of Universal Forest Products, Inc.
The chief executive officer of Herman Miller, Inc., fills a tenth seat on the board of directors of the publicly-traded Grand Rapids-based holding company. UFPI, which had annual sales of $2.5 billion in fiscal 2013, provides capital, management and administrative resources to subsidiaries that supply wood, wood composite and other products.
"Brian's financial acumen, his global business perspective and his years of strong leadership at Herman Miller provide him with the background and skills we need to lead Universal into the future," said UFPI Chairman William G. Currie, in a statement. "He will help us provide strong, knowledgeable guidance to the dynamic companies of Universal Forest Products."
Walker was named president and chief operating office of the publicly-traded Zeeland furniture maker in 2003 and assumed the title of CEO in 2004. Herman Miller reported sales of nearly $1.9 billion in fiscal 2014.
Walker's previous positions included president of Herman Miller North America overseeing the company's core business operations for the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and executive vice president and chief financial officer for where he developed a strong team of finance professionals and an internationally respected finance organization.
Before joining Herman Miller, Walker worked as a CPA for the accounting firm Arthur Andersen.
Walker serves on the board of directors for Briggs & Stratton Corporation and The Stephen A. Wynn Institute for Vision Research. He also serves on the board of The Right Place, Inc. of greater Grand Rapids, and has served as president of The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA) and The Federal Reserve Bank of Detroit.
Walker, who is a graduate of Michigan State University, lives in Holland with his wife and their three children.
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Shandra Martinez covers business for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email her or follow her on Twitter @shandramartinez.