Donald J. Walker | |
---|---|
Born | Canada |
Alma mater | University of Waterloo |
Occupation | Automotive executive |
Spouse(s) | Joan Weisshaar (m. 2000) |
Children | Frank Walker |
Donald J. Walker is a Canadian automotive executive and former chief executive officer of Magna International Inc., a Canadian global automotive supplier. He has worked in the automotive industry since 1980. [1] In 2017, he was listed as the second highest-paid CEO in Canada. [2]
Walker grew up in Toronto, Ontario, and attended the University of Waterloo's mechanical engineering program, which he graduated in 1980. [3]
Walker began his career in the automotive industry working for General Motors. From 1980 to 1987, he held various engineering and manufacturing positions at the company. In 1987, wanting to start his own automotive company, he met with Frank Stronach, founder of Magna International, to see if he would be interested in establishing a joint venture. After several meetings, Stronach offered Walker a position at Magna, which he accepted. [1] [4]
In 1987, Walker moved from General Motors to work at Magna International. [1] He began at Magna working on various engineering and joint venture projects, and served as Executive Vice President of Operations for the company in 1990 when it was facing a company debt crisis. [5]
In 1994, Walker became chief executive officer of Magna, a position he held until 2001.
In 2001, he moved to Intier Automotive, a former unit and majority owned by Magna, to lead Intier as its president and chief executive officer. [6] In 2005, Walker returned to Magna to serve as the company's co-chief executive officer. In 2010, he became sole CEO of Magna.
Walker's fixed and variable salary, including share options, in 2016, was $20.8 million, after $21.2 million in 2015. [7]
In October 2020, it was announced that Walker would retire at the end of 2020, with Seetarama Kotagiri succeeding him in 2021. [8] [9]
In 2014, The Globe and Mail listed Walker as Outstanding CEO of the Year. [1] [10] He was also included on Fortune 's 2015 "Business Person of the Year" list [10] and in the Globe and Mail's 1996 "Top 40 Under 40" list. [11] In 2017, the Toronto Star included him on their list of "key players to watch in 2017". [12]
In 2000, Walker married Joan Weisshaar, now Joan Kelley Walker. [13] They have two children together. Walker also has two children from his previous marriage to Belinda Stronach, including musician Frank Walker.
Belinda Caroline Stronach, is a Canadian businesswoman, philanthropist and former Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons of Canada from 2004 to 2008. Originally elected as a Conservative, she later crossed the floor to join the Liberals. From May 17, 2005, to February 6, 2006, Stronach was the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister responsible for Democratic Renewal in the government of Paul Martin. After leaving politics, she served as the executive vice-chairman of Magna International, Canada's largest automotive parts manufacturer until December 31, 2010.
Magna International Inc. is a Canadian mobility technology company for automakers. It is one of the largest companies in Canada and was recognized on the 2020 Forbes Global 2000. The company is the largest automobile parts manufacturer in North America by sales of original equipment parts, it has ranked consistently in the Fortune Global 500 list for 20 years in a row since 2001. It produces automotive systems, assemblies, modules, and components, which are supplied to General Motors, Ford Motor Company and FCA, as well as BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Toyota, Tesla, and Tata Motors, among others.
Frank Stronach is an Austrian and Canadian businessman and politician.
John Robert Stobo Prichard, is a Canadian lawyer, economist, and academic. He is the past President and Chief Executive Officer and former Director of Torstar Corporation. He is now the Chairman of the Bank of Montreal.
Basil Eldon "Buzz" Hargrove, is a Canadian labour leader and the former National President of the Canadian Auto Workers. He is currently serving as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University's Ted Rogers School of Management.
Mark Fields is an American businessman and former chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company. Prior to his July 1, 2014, appointment, Fields served as the company's chief operating officer. Previously, as Ford's president of The Americas, Fields developed "The Way Forward" plan and separately led a significant turnaround of Mazda. He succeeded Alan Mulally as Ford's president and CEO. Fields announced his retirement on May 22, 2017. He currently serves as the CEO of Hertz, Senior Advisor at TPG Capital and on several corporate boards.
Stronach Group, doing business as 1/ST, is an entertainment and real estate company in North America with Thoroughbred horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core.
Martha Hall Findlay is a Canadian businesswoman, entrepreneur, lawyer and politician from Toronto, Ontario, who was recently president and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, a Calgary-based think tank, and is now senior vice-president and chief sustainability officer with Suncor Energy. Previously, she was elected to the House of Commons of Canada as the Liberal Party of Canada's candidate in the Toronto riding of Willowdale in a federal by-election held on March 17, 2008, to fill a vacancy created by former Liberal MP Jim Peterson's resignation. She was re-elected in the 2008 general election but lost her seat in the 2011 election.
Norman Spector is a Canadian journalist and former diplomat, civil servant, and newspaper publisher.
William A. Downe CM is a Canadian banker, who was chief executive officer of Bank of Montreal from March 1, 2007 to October 31, 2017.
Thrifty Car Rental is a subsidiary of The Hertz Corporation with headquarters in Estero, Florida. Formerly operating as Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Thrifty shares 340 corporate and 1,500 franchise rental car locations in the United States and Canada with Dollar Rent A Car as of February 2017.
Sergio Marchionne was an Italian-Canadian businessman, widely known for his turnarounds of the automakers Fiat and Chrysler, his business acumen and his outspoken and often frank approach, especially when dealing with unpalatable issues related to his companies and the automotive industry.
Hans Vestberg is a Swedish businessman and CEO of Verizon Communications, where he has worked as executive vice president of the company's network and technology team, and as chief technology officer. Vestberg was previously the CEO of telecommunications company Ericsson, president of the Swedish Olympic Committee, and chairman of the Swedish Handball Federation.
AutoCanada Inc. is a North American multi-location automobile dealership group currently operating 50 franchised dealerships, selling several brands, in Canada, as well as a group in Illinois, USA. The company was founded by Pat Priestner in 2006. The company is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. AutoCanada is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange traded as TSX:ACQ.
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group is the former holding company of Thrifty Car Rental and Dollar Rent A Car. Dollar Thrifty Automotive began to operate as an independent car rental subsidiary of the Chrysler Corporation on November 4, 1997 while continuing to support its two brands, Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental. It was acquired by The Hertz Corporation for US$2.3 billion on November 19, 2012.
Granite Real Estate Investment Trust is a Canadian-based REIT engaged in the acquisition, development, ownership and management of industrial, warehouse and logistics properties in North America and Europe. It was originally composed principally of former holdings of Magna International.
Mary Teresa Barra is an American businesswoman who has been the chair and chief executive officer (CEO) of General Motors since January 15, 2014. She is the first female CEO of a 'Big Three' automaker. In December 2013, GM named her to succeed Daniel Akerson as CEO. Prior to being named CEO, Barra was executive vice president of global product development, purchasing, and supply chain.
Sir Ralf Dieter Speth is a British-German automotive executive who was the chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover from 2010 to 2020. He has also had roles with BMW, Linde and Ford's Premier Automotive Group.
David I. "Dave" McKay is a Canadian banking executive. He is the president and CEO of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), one of Canada's largest banks and one of the largest banks in the world by market capitalization. He is both a member and a Board of Director at the Business Council of Canada, and serves on the Catalyst Canada Advisory Board. He is the chair of the Business/Higher Education Roundtable.
Frank Walker is a Canadian electronic musician and DJ. He is most noted for his single "Only When It Rains", a collaboration with Astrid S which was a Juno Award nominee for Dance Recording of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2020.