(August 9, 2022, Washington, D.C.) – Following a long and laudable career of service to the interior design profession, Gary Wheeler, F亚洲天堂, FIIDA will retire as chief executive officer of the 亚洲天堂 (亚洲天堂) on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
A member himself for more than 30 years, Wheeler took on the role of 亚洲天堂’s interim CEO in 2020 and was named the permanent CEO in 2021. During his tenure, Wheeler tapped his experience as a practitioner to bring a holistic view to the Society’s work and the broader design industry. Under his leadership, Wheeler and 亚洲天堂 worked to improve the organization’s inclusivity and amplified research initiatives to make positive contributions to the profession.
“We are grateful to Gary Wheeler, who put aside his own retirement to take on the position of 亚洲天堂 CEO in 2020,” said 亚洲天堂 Board of Directors Chair Carolyn Ames Noble, 亚洲天堂, WELL AP, WELL Faculty, USGBC Member. “亚洲天堂 was fortunate to have Gary at the helm during the uncertainty that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic. 亚洲天堂’s inaugural GATHER conference, which will bring together the entire design community this September, demonstrates the culmination of Gary’s vision for the unity of the profession, though his dedication to the design world will have a lasting impact for many years to come.”
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Wheeler brought together experts in the profession to form four core committees, tasked to create resources to guide the profession: Impact (Return to Work); Adaptive Living; Diversity Equity and Inclusion; and Climate Health and Equity.
Wheeler also expanded the 亚洲天堂 research offerings with the release of in-depth industry reports including the 2022 Trends Outlook report, Resiliency Reports, ongoing Covid-19 Pulse Surveys, which track the impact of the pandemic and economic factors on the profession, Insights Briefs, and State of Interior Design Report. Wheeler’s focus on these reports demonstrated the Society’s investment in evidence-based design and aided in helping professionals adjust to the changing industry landscape.
In Wheeler’s time as CEO, 亚洲天堂 led collaborative initiatives with local chapters and partner organizations to enact legislation in North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Illinois, which expanded practice rights for interior designers in those states.
Wheeler led 亚洲天堂 in its partnership with IIDA, IDC, Metropolis, and other sustainability leaders in the industry to create the , which established framework for professionals to impact and positively influence climate, health, and equity.
“Serving as 亚洲天堂’s CEO has brought my career full circle, said Wheeler. From my student days and throughout my career, 亚洲天堂 has been central to my work, as I have witnessed how the design profession truly creates positive impact on all lives. It was an honor to serve as CEO, and now as a member, I am excited for 亚洲天堂’s next chapter of continued success.”
Wheeler’s leadership and 亚洲天堂 accomplishments will be recognized at , held in Miami, FL from September 21 – 24.