Recreational Equipment, Inc. hired Catherine Walker to the
position of vice president, general counsel and corporate
secretary. As vice president, general counsel, 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.
