Harold B. Smith

Overview

Harold B. Smith, age 73, is Chairman of the Executive Committee and a director of Illinois Tool Works Inc., a worldwide manufacturer and marketer of engineered components and industrial systems and consumables. He is also a director of Northern Trust Corporation. Mr. Smith, an independent director, was first elected a director of Grainger in 1981 and is Chairman of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Board Affairs and Nominating Committee. Mr. Smith has reached the age at which, under Grainger's Criteria for Membership on the Board of Directors, an outside director would generally not be nominated. However, the Board has determined that in the case of Mr. Smith, an exception to this general principle is appropriate.