At its annual meeting today, the Walker Art Center’s Board of Directors announced three new members: James G. Dayton, principal architect, James Dayton Design Ltd.; Deborah L. Hopp, Vice President for Publishing and Publisher of Mpls. St. Paul magazine, MSP Communications, Inc.; and Michael Linton, Executive Vice President, Consumer and Brand Marketing, and Chief Marketing Officer at Best Buy. They join the 47-member board that will govern the Walker’s activities as it completes its expansion designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects Herzog & de Meuron opening April 2005. Board President Roger Hale stated, “We selected these individuals for their strong commitment to the Walker’s mission, their business acumen, and their prominence in the community.”
James G. Dayton
Principal Architect, James Dayton Design Ltd.
Jim Dayton, a Minneapolis native, graduated from Yale University in 1987 and received his Master of Architecture from the University of Virginia in 1991. While completing his education he worked for the architectural firms Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle and Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, Inc. Moving to Los Angeles in 1991, he joined the firm Frank O. Gehry & Associates, where he worked on projects including The Walt Disney Concert Hall, Guggenheim Bilbao, DG Bank in Berlin, and the Montreal Museum of Decorative Arts. Dayton returned to Minneapolis in 1996 where he opened James Dayton Design Ltd. in 1997. His recent work has included the Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Bookmen Lofts and Bookmen Stacks, as well as several residential projects.
Deborah L. Hopp
Vice President for Publishing and Publisher of Mpls. St. Paul magazine, MSP Communications, Inc.
A native of Cloquet, Minnesota, and mother of two teenage daughters, Hopp is a 1975 graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Journalism. She serves on a number of volunteer boards, including The United Way, The Minnesota Orchestral Association, the Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable, the Minnesota Chamber Leadership Fund, the Minnesota Women’s Campaign Fund, and the Minneapolis Downtown Council. She is an advisory board member for Bachman’s, WomenVenture, The University of St. Thomas School of Business, and the University of Minnesota Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. She sits on the Board of Directors of Latin Communications Network. Hopp is a lecturer at the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Business. She is chairing the host committee for the Walker’s opening-night gala—First Exposure—on April 15.
Michael Linton
Executive Vice President, Consumer and Brand Marketing, and Chief Marketing Officer, Best Buy
Michael Linton joined Best Buy, a Fortune 100 Company and North America’s leading specialty retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, entertainment software, and major appliances, in 1999 as senior vice president of strategic marketing. In his current position, he is responsible for the marketing, brand management, research, customer care, consumer relations, promotions, and advertising teams. During his tenure, Best Buy has launched major advertising campaigns, including “Turn on the Fun” and the Effie award-winning “Thousands of Possibilities.” In addition, the company introduced the Reward Zone Customer Loyalty Program and several entertainment partnerships, including Sting in Central Park and the Rolling Stones’ Four Flicks DVD exclusive. Linton also leads the development of the Consumer Research, CRM, and Brand & Product Management functions. Advertising Age named Linton one of the top 30 Power Players in marketing in October 2003.
Board of Directors
2004–2005
Chairman
Angus Wurtele
President
Roger L. Hale
Vice-Presidents
Arthur D. Collins
M. Nazie Eftekhari
Michael Francis
Jeanne Levitt
Stephen Shank
John G. Taft
Secretary
Kathy Halbreich
Treasurer
Ann L. Bitter
Public Members
Elizabeth Andrus
Carol V. Bemis
Ralph W. Burnet
Thomas M. Crosby, Jr.
James G. Dayton
Martha B. Dayton
Andrew S. Duff
Jack Elliott
Jack W. Eugster
Matthew O. Fitzmaurice
Martha Gabbert
Andrew C. Grossman
Esperanza Guerrero-Anderson
Karen Heithoff
Deborah Hopp
Martha H. Kaemmer
Erwin A. Kelen
Sarah Kling
Anita Kunin
Sarah M. Lebedoff
Jeanne S. Levitt
Michael Linton
Nadine McGuire
David M. Moffett
Joan Mondale
J. Keith Moyer
Curtis Nelson
Mary Pappajohn
Michael A. Peel
Lawrence Perlman
Mrs. Robert Pohlad
Robyne Robinson
Marjorie Weiser
Frank Wilkinson
C. Angus Wurtele
Walker Family Members
Ann Hatch
Kathleen S. Roeder
Adrian Walker
Brooks Walker, Jr.
Elaine B. Walker
Jean K. Walker
Lindsey Walker
Honorary Directors
H.B. Atwater, Jr.
Mrs. Julius E. Davis
Julia W. Dayton
Mrs. Malcolm A. McCannel
Harriet S. Spencer
Philip Von Blon
David M. Winton
Director Emeritus
Martin Friedman