Recreational Equipment, Inc. has hired Catherine Walker as vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary.
As such, Walker will oversee the company's legal issues, provide legal guidance and counsel to REI leadership and serve as corporate secretary.
She began her legal career in private practice in Seattle, working on commercial litigation and business reorganizations. She later joined Westin Hotels & Resorts where for 10 years she led the legal department, managing a breadth of international and domestic legal issues before joining Seattle University six years ago. While at Seattle University she served as vice president for administration/university counsel and secretary, providing oversight to several university departments, including legal, human resources, information technology and bookstore.
Walker is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, King County Bar Association and the Northwest Women's Law Center. She previously served on the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, as well as REI's board of directors, a post she resigned last month to join REI's staff. In addition, she co-founded and volunteers for the Plymouth Healing Communities an organization that provides supportive housing for formerly homeless people who are in treatment for mental illness for which she currently serves as its board president. She's also an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys backpacking, cycling, hiking and cross-country skiing.
