Herman Miller Elects Mike Smith to Board of Directors

June 23, 2021  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

Smith is EVP and chief financial officer for McCormick & Company, Incorporated, a global leader in flavor. As a Fortune 500 company, McCormick manufactures, markets, and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to the entire food industry. As CFO, Smith leads controllership, financial accounting and reporting, tax, treasury, investor relations, financial planning and analysis, global business improvement, enterprise risk, and internal audit for the company. He is also a member of McCormick's management committee and investment committee. 

"Mike brings extensive global financial management expertise to our Board," said Mike Volkema, chairman of the board. "His guidance will be invaluable as we continue to grow and diversify Herman Miller Group around the world."

Smith has served in a variety of financial leadership roles in his 30-year career with McCormick, including senior vice president capital markets and chief financial officer for North America, chief financial officer and vice president finance for EMEA, vice president treasury and investor relations, and vice president finance and administration for U.S. consumer products. He has provided financial leadership in areas including strategic planning, cost management, shared services, and acquisitions. 

"Mike brings broad financial expertise and will provide critical perspective to help us further accelerate our growth strategy and create even more value for our shareholders," said Andi Owen, president and CEO. 

Smith is a CPA and began his career in public accounting at Coopers & Lybrand. Smith graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Accountancy. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center.

"I'm honored to be joining Herman Miller's Board of Directors," said Smith. "The company's core values of inclusion and integrity align closely to my personal values, and the management team has done an impressive job managing the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The business is well-positioned to capitalize on exciting growth opportunities in the future and I look forward to being part of what's to come." 

Herman Miller has eleven board members from a variety of industries including retail, healthcare, and manufacturing.