For much of the 2000's, Josh Bolten helped steer the country. Now he'll help steer Emerson.

The Ferguson-based manufacturer said Wednesday that Bolten, who held several top posts in the George W. Bush administration, has joined its board of directors. He was White House chief of staff from 2006 until 2009, director of the Office of Management and Budget from 2003 through 2006, and a deputy chief of staff from 2001 through 2003.

Since leaving the White House he has worked as a visiting professor at Princeton University, served as CEO of the ONE Campaign, which combats global poverty and disease, and now runs a firm that advises multinational companies on economic and regulatory policy.

Bolten will be the 14th member of Emerson's board, and 11th indepedent director. Two directors retired last year. Emerson's board members collected between $205,964 and $269,833 in cash and stock compensation last year.

At the company's annual stockholders meeting Tuesday, 77 percent of shareholders voted to support declassifying the board, electing members annually instead of having them hold staggered three-year terms.