The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA), representing the commercial furniture industry, announces the election of new industry leaders to their Board of Directors. Dan Byrne, CEO of Byrne Electrical Specialists; John Fellowes, President and CEO of Fellowes Brands; Sue Madrid, President of LOFTwall; and Max Verkamp, President and CEO of Indiana Furniture were each elected to three-year terms as Directors.

Additionally, Don Van Winkle, Kimball International, has assumed the role of BIFMA President succeeding Sylvain Garneau, Groupe Lacasse, in that capacity. Don previously served as vicepresident/ president-elect. Sylvain will continue on the Board as a Director and past-president.

Dan Byrne grew up through the operations and product development side of the family business. His entrepreneurial spirit and leadership have fostered a culture of innovation and collaboration. Dan is the second generation to lead the company that his father started in the basement of their home in 1971.

John Fellowes represents the fourth generation of family leadership in the privately held Chicago-based company founded in 1917. John worked alongside his grandfather, father, and uncle during his time at Fellowes. Fellowes Brands acquired ESI Ergonomic Solutions in late-2017.

Sue Madrid joined the contract furniture industry in 2011 as LOFTwall’s operations manager. She was tapped by Steven Kinder, founder of LOFTwall, in 2015 to move into the role of president and has been leading the sales, operations, and cultural evolution at the company ever since.

Max Verkamp has over 25 years of experience working in the manufacturing industry. In April 2016, he was named President/CEO of Indiana Furniture. Prior to that, Max worked at MasterBrand Cabinets, the largest kitchen and bath cabinet manufacturer in North America, for 24 years.

BIFMA Executive Director, Thomas Reardon, welcomes the election of these executives. “Our goal is to identify and recruit leaders with rich and diverse backgrounds to keep the leadership of our organization poised and prepared to address the dynamic changes within the markets we serve.”