It’s electric
MATTHEW W. GEEKIE
SVP, secretary, general counsel and director, Graybar Electric Co.
Age 48
COMPANY PROFILE
Graybar Electric Co. Inc. is one of the largest
distributors of electrical, communications and net-
working products in the United States. It stocks and
sells an estimated 115,000 items procured from
approximately 4,500 manufacturers. It specializes in
supply-chain management and logistics services for
the electrical and telecommunications industries. A
subsidiary, Graybar Financial Services, leases equip-
ment and provides financing.
LEGAL TEAM AND OUTSIDE COUNSEL
Geekie is the only male in Graybar’s 13-member law
department—a testament, he said, to his company’s
emphasis on diversity. He is one of four attorneys in
the department and also
oversees the risk management group. In-house work
accounts for 80% of his
department’s agenda.
Geekie hires outside
OUTSIDE COUNSEL
COMPANY
GRAYBAR ELECTRIC CO. INC.
counsel when needed, and he tries to spread the
assignments around the St. Louis offices of three
firms: Bryan Cave performs Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) work. Husch Blackwell Sanders
handles commercial matters. St. Louis-based Lewis,
Rice & Fingersh handles a variety of cases.
Geekie calls upon Canadian counsel if and when
it is needed north of the border. Before taking his
present position, he had done a lot of work outside
the United States, so he is used to dealing with
foreign laws and attorneys. The Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico’s regulations are similar to those of its
U.S. counterparts, he said, so that does not present
an adjustment.
Geekie reports to Robert A. Reynolds Jr., Graybar’s
chairman, president and chief executive officer.
DAILY DUTIES
Is there a typical Geekie work day? “It doesn’t
seem like it,” he said. “Each day I hit the waterfront
of issues.”
On any given day, Geekie might juggle real estate,
sales, distribution or SEC matters. Employment issues
and concerns related to warranties are other busy
areas. Geekie might get involved in products liability
cases or commercial litigation, although Graybar’s
CORPORATE
Husch Blackwell Sanders; Lewis, Rice & Fingersh
SECURITIES
Bryan Cave
