GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Economics Club of Grand Rapids has named James P. Hackett, president and chief executive officer of Steelcase Inc. (NYSE:SCS), Business Person of the Year. The award was instituted to honor a leading executive from a leading and/or large employer in Grand Rapids who has made significant contributions for the betterment of the community and is individually recognized as an influential business leader. The club will recognize Hackett at the Annual Dinner Meeting this evening at 6 p.m. ET.
"Under Hackett's leadership, Steelcase has reached many milestones including its 100 year anniversary earlier this year. James has been a longtime supporter of our organization and a pillar in our community for decades," said Lorna D. Schultz, executive director for the Economic Club of Grand Rapids. "His business acumen, exuberant leadership style, and philanthropic efforts with organizations like West Michigan Center for Arts & Technology and Grand Rapids University Prep Academy made him an obvious choice for Business Person of the Year."
The reception and dinner, to be held in the Steelcase Ballroom at DeVos Place, will feature remarks from former Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom. Blair will then participate in a moderated discussion about his political and philanthropic efforts in the Middle East and his work furthering the mission of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, which aims to promote respect and understanding about the world's major religions and show how faith is a powerful force for good in the modern world.
The club also will honor Sister Aquinas Weber with the Slykhouse Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition is given to an individual who has demonstrated a long term dedication to the community's prosperity.
About Steelcase Inc.
For 100 years, Steelcase Inc. has helped create great experiences for the world's leading organizations – wherever work happens. Steelcase and our family of brands – including Steelcase®, Coalesse®, Designtex®, Details®, Nurture®, PolyVision® and Turnstone® – offer a comprehensive portfolio of furnishings, products and services designed to unlock human promise and support social, economic and environmental sustainability. We are globally accessible through a network of channels, including approximately 650 dealers. Steelcase is a global, industry-leading and publicly traded company with fiscal 2012 revenue of $2.75 billion.
The Steelcase Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4484