The executive leadership of IA Interior Architects is pleased to announce that Ray Ehscheid has joined the firm in the newly created role of Director of Client Services focused primarily on the Financial Services and Retail sectors. Ray brings to IA over 25 years of experience in both of these sectors.
Prior to joining IA, Ray was Senior Vice President, Design Services for Bank of America where, starting in 2005, he led Store Design and Merchandising for Bank of America’s Financial Center and ATM network. In 2014, Ray was also tapped to spearhead Workplace Strategy. Ray’s career has also included leadership roles with global luxury and fashion retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, and Reebok.
Ray is a recognized thought leader on the subjects of retail and financial services design, and has been featured in a range of national and international publications. He has delivered keynote addresses at GlobalShop, National Retail Federation (NRF), Bank Administration Institute (BAI) and Retail Banking Research (RBR) and participated in panel discussions on these topics at NeoCon, EuroShop, and European Financial Marketing Association (EFMA). Ray is often invited to jury peer design competitions, guest lecture at universities; affording him the opportunity to mentor the next generation of design professionals.
“Ray brings an exceptional understanding of the specific needs of the global retail and financial services sectors through his leadership in the industry and extensive, client-side experience,” notes David Bourke, Co President/CEO of IA. “Ray’s insights will now provide our clients an enhanced ability to surge forward when combined with IA’s industry-leading platform and global project capabilities.”
Ray states, “I have long respected IA’s global leadership position within the interior architecture industry. I am excited to now contribute to, and further strengthen, the firm’s ability to deliver exceptional design solutions globally for Retail and Financial Services clients.”
Ray is a member the Editorial Advisory Boards of both Contract magazine and design:retail magazine where he was voted one of the Top 10 Retail Design Influencers of the Year. He is President of the New York Chapter of the Retail Design Institute (RDI) and an Associate Member of IIDA.