Walker Manufacturing announces leadership changes
FORT COLLINS — Walker Manufacturing Co., the family-owned commercial mower and lawn equipment manufacturer, has transitioned to the next generation of Walkers at the helm.
Effective Oct. 1, Walker president Bob Walker transitioned to the role of chairman of the board, and third-generation family member Ryan Walker has been named president. Ryan assumes the position after working 10 years at Walker in sales, marketing and business development.
Bob Walker will remain active in day-to-day operations, including ongoing mentoring to next-generation leadership.
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“My plan is to follow my dad’s (Max) lead and work as long as I am able,” Bob Walker said. “My dad gracefully transitioned leadership of the company to my brother Dean and me, while still giving us guidance and working alongside us as long as he was physically able.”
Ryan Walker is the second son of Dean and Suzanne Walker. He learned about business early in life while growing up 100 yards from the Walker factory in a family of four boys. He earned a business degree from Olivet Nazarene University in 2006. He also earned his aircraft airframe and powerplant certificate and commercial pilot’s license in 2008, and he and his wife, Emily, spent three years in Christian missions in Alaska
Since returning to the company, Ryan directed the implementation of a new manufacturing software system in 2013 and oversaw a variety of facility improvements. Ryan and Emily have four children and live in Windsor.
Additional changes in Walker’s executive leadership also included Dean Walker moving to executive vice president and board vice chairman, while Ted Walker (Dean and Suzanne’s oldest son) has moved into the position of vice president of engineering.
Ted’s passion for the work of designing, manufacturing and selling power equipment also originated by growing up in the family business. After graduating from Olivet Nazarene University with a mechanical engineering degree in 2004, he worked for a small helicopter manufacturer in Caldwell, Idaho, for six years before returning to Fort Collins.
Since coming to Walker, he has been instrumental in engineering development, including oversight of many recent design projects. Ted is also a pilot, and he and his wife, Nikki, have four children and live in Timnath.
“The commitment Ted and I have made to Bob and Dean and our entire family is to continue to operate Walker Manufacturing with the core principles we have been taught and seen work well for our grandparents and parents,” Ryan Walker said. “We are steadfast in our covenant to our family to manage this business in a way that will allow us to hand off an even better Walker Manufacturing to the fourth generation of Walker family.”
FORT COLLINS — Walker Manufacturing Co., the family-owned commercial mower and lawn equipment manufacturer, has transitioned to the next generation of Walkers at the helm.
Effective Oct. 1, Walker president Bob Walker transitioned to the role of chairman of the board, and third-generation family member Ryan Walker has been named president. Ryan assumes the position after…
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