H.B. Fuller Co. recently announced that it has elected Michael Happe and Teresa (Terry) Rasmussen as independent members to its board of directors. Rasmussen’s appointment is effective as of November 30, 2020, while Happe’s appointment will be effective January 20, 2021. The election of these two new directors expands the board to 11 directors, 10 of whom are independent. Both have been appointed to serve on the Audit and Compensation Committees of the board. 

“I am pleased to welcome Terry and Mike to the H.B. Fuller board of directors,” said Lee Mitau, chairman of the H.B. Fuller board of directors. “They each bring unique strengths to our board and will contribute greatly to our ongoing strategic growth initiatives. Both have deep understanding of how to address changing market trends, build and sustain strong organizational cultures, and deliver quality and service commitments to customers and clients.”

Rasmussen has served as president and CEO of Thrivent since 2018, after serving as president of the company’s core business for the prior three years. She joined the organization in 2005 as senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary. Over the course of her career, Rasmussen has served in a variety of executive roles, including vice president, chief legal officer, and senior lawyer with American Express, as well as attorney for Northeast Securities Corp., Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

“Terry is a strong leader with a growth mindset and keen understanding of how to seize market and consumer trends to drive organizational transformation,” said Jim Owens, H.B. Fuller president and CEO. “In addition to her world-class leadership and business acumen, with her background as a CPA and attorney, she will bring to H.B. Fuller the same accountability and clarity of purpose with which she leads Thrivent.”

“H.B. Fuller is an excellent example of strategic, market-driven growth sustained by a clear vision and accountable leadership,” said Rasmussen. “I am pleased to share my experience with organizational transformation as a means to propel growth and enable the company to deliver on its vision and financial commitments.”

Happe has served as president and CEO of Winnebago Industries since 2016. Prior to joining Winnebago, he served as executive officer and group vice president at The Toro Co. During his 19 years at Toro, he held a series of senior leadership positions across a variety of domestic and international businesses.

“Mike continues to build on the strong Winnebago culture of caring deeply for its employees and customers,” said Owens. “His leadership focuses on the people who drive the company’s success and strategic focus on growth opportunities, which is making a big difference in the growth and profit performance of the company. We are thrilled to leverage his strategic vision to further enhance H.B. Fuller’s long tradition of empowering our employees to innovate and win with customers.”

“Once a family owned and operated business, H.B. Fuller is now a global powerhouse in the adhesives industry,” said Happe. “The strength of its growth strategy lies in its foundational focus on ‘winning the right way.’ I am looking forward to sharing my experience in global sales growth to help the company achieve its goals.”

For more information, visit www.hbfuller.com.