ANN ARBOR, MI - Former Steelcase CEO James Hackett has been named the interim athletic director for the University of Michigan.

U-M President Mark Schlissel made the announcement Oct. 31, following the resignation of Dave Brandon.

"Jim Hackett is a highly experienced and respected business leader, a man of integrity and a devoted member of our Michigan community," Schlissel said. "I am confident Jim will immediately begin the process of moving the department forward, including working closely with me to develop a plan to identify and recruit Michigan's next permanent athletic director."

Hackett resigned from Steelcase in February after 20 years as CEO of the office furniture giant. He said he would not be a candidate for the permanent athletic director position.  "I am humbled to help during this interim period to keep our momentum as a great institution," Hackett said.

A 1977 graduate of U-M, Hackett also played center on the Wolverines' football team under the coaching of the legendary Bo Schembechler.

Hackett is a member of the board of advisors for U-M's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the Life Sciences Institute. Hackett also serves on the board of trustees for Northwestern Mutual Life in Milwaukee, the board of directors for Ford Motor Co. in Detroit, and Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati. He is a member of the executive committee of the board of directors for the National Center for Arts and Technology and a past president of the Institute of Design Board of Overseers at the Illinois Institute of Technology.