American Seating’s Clark Shifts to Chairman Role, Bush to Assume CEO Role

American Seating’s long-time CEO and Chairman of the Board Edward Clark is shifting to the chairman role, with President and COO Thomas Bush being named CEO. Bush has been with American Seating for 29 years and served as the CFO before being named president in 2007.

As chairman, Clark will continue to lead American Seating’s board of directors; as president and CEO, Bush will serve on the board, lead the company’s development of short- and long-term strategies, and manage the company’s overall resources and operations.

Clark led a group of private investors to purchase American Seating from Atlanta-based Fuqua Inc., in 1987, bringing ownership of the long-time Grand Rapids, Mich.-based company back to the region after several years under Fuqua. Founded in 1886, American Seating always has maintained manufacturing operations in Grand Rapids. Corporate headquarters has been on the same campus on the northwest side of the city for most of the company’s existence.

A major reinvestment and renovation of the American Seating campus occurred in 2003. Historic buildings were preserved and repurposed while modern living and working environments were created. The area became known as American Seating Park.