BIFMA, the non-profit business and institutional furniture manufacturers trade association, announced it has appointed Steve Kooy, a Grand Rapids resident and furniture industry professional, as its new Technical Director Health and Sustainability.
In the role of Technical Director Health and Sustainability, Kooy will lead BIFMA’s sustainability and environmental health efforts working with its membership and industry partners to connect and advance the industry’s common interests of long-term sustainability and growth.
Kooy holds a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan. With over 20 years of experience in furniture manufacturing, certification companies and the construction industry, Steve brings a unique combination of experience and perspective to the role.
“Steve’s broad base knowledge of product engineering, sustainability, and marketing will position BIFMA in addressing the increasing consumer preferences to more closely align product selection and specification decisions to environmentalism and ecological sustainability,” said Deirdre Jimenez AIA NCIDQ, BIFMA’s President and CEO as of July 2020. “We are honored to have Steve join the team and look forward to his leadership in this growing area of focus.”
“The opportunity to harmonize sustainability programs across the industry while educating customers and specifiers on the continued advancements being achieved in the industry attracted me to the role. Being able to support the industry in such an important way is personally meaningful and rewarding,” said Kooy.
Kooy will succeed Brad Miller, who is retiring after a 26-year tenure as Director of Sustainability and Government Affairs and played a major role in developing the e3 sustainability standard and LEVEL certification program.