Dan Walker has taken the reins at the Industrial Fasteners Institute as the manufacturers’ trade association’s managing director.

In June the IFI named Walker as the IFI’s 8th managing director beginning in August (see FIN, June 18, 2018).  

Walker held multiple technical roles with the Metal Building Manufacturers Association, eventually becoming general manager. He has 20 years of trade association management experience, having also been executive director of the Concrete & Masonry Anchor Manufacturers Association.

Walker holds a bachelors degree in civil engineering from Cleveland State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio.

Walker commented that as an organization, the “IFI has a proud history of technical leadership and education that is second to none. Our members and highly qualified staff have achieved a great deal toward ensuring a healthy and vibrant fastener industry through their research, standards, advocacy and education programs. The member leadership has set clear goals for the sustained growth of the institute, and I’m very excited to start helping them achieve those goals.”  

Walker essentially succeeds Rob Harris, IFI managing director since 1995. Harris retired at the end of 2017 and returned as interim director after a brief tenure of Ken McCreight as managing director.

“I’ve had the chance to work with Dan during this transition, and I know we have the right person for the job,” Harris said. “I feel very confident that I am leaving this great organization in good hands.”

Founded in 1931, the IFI is a trade association of leading North American fastener manufacturers and suppliers of materials, machinery, equipment and/or engineered services.  The IFI is based in Independence, OH. Tel: 216 241-1482 Web: indfast.org