Max De Pree
CEO and Board Member
Biography
Max De Pree was the long-time CEO of Herman Miller, Inc., a Michigan-based company that revolutionized office workspaces in the mid-twentieth century with its “modern” designs. During his tenure, Herman Miller became one of the most profitable Fortune 500 companies. From 1975 to 1986, it ranked seventh in terms of total return to investors.
Max’s greatest legacy, and the impact he was proudest of, was his way of incorporating his beliefs into the organizational culture. Under De Pree’s leadership, Herman Miller instituted the Scanlon Plan, a program that encouraged and rewarded employee participation with stock in the company. Moves like this displayed his thoughts about how mentoring is like a carabiner: the mentor provides a safety rope, not taut but always present. As the individuals are lifted, the organization is lifted. With a foundation built on trust and integrity, the company went on to work with some of the design world’s greats, and earned the respect and admiration of such design icons as Ray and Charles Eames and George Nelson. Perhaps the intentional culture helps explain how a company based in Zeeland, Michigan was able to establish itself as an innovative design firm synonymous with an era of modern, design-first furniture. De Pree’s body of work earned him a place in Fortune magazine’s National Business Hall of Fame.
What is perhaps less known about Max De Pree is the degree to which he was intentional about allowing his beliefs to shape his approach to life, management, and leadership. People who knew him well describe how he was the same person in the boardroom, at church, and at home with his family.
Former Fuller President David Allan Hubbard and Max De Pree were best friends. Hubbard invited De Pree to join the Fuller Board of Trustees. De Pree served faithfully on the board from 1964 to 2005.
