Denny Gerdeman Co-Founder & CEO

From developing successful on DDI magazine’s list of the client solutions, to forming most important Design Firms multi-disciplinary teams, for an unprecedented 14 years to advising up-and-coming running. designers, Denny Gerdeman has Denny’s curious mind and been hands on and at the helm can-do attitude have helped of Chute Gerdeman retail design assemble a talented team of for more than 20 years. like-minded professionals At his core, he’s a hardworking who strive for innovation, not retail veteran. To the retail duplication. He set the standard industry, Denny is ambassador, for how we treat our clients: leader and student mentor honestly, respectfully and rolled into one. To all of us creatively, always on-time and at Chute Gerdeman, he’s the within budget. cornerstone of the fi rm, along While Denny typically prefers PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS with Elle Chute, his wife and work over play, he recently partner. President: The Planning and resolved to expand his Visual Education Partnership Under Denny’s leadership, recreational travel beyond client (PAVE) Chute Gerdeman has achieved boardrooms and international Member and Past President: Ohio renown as a leading retail airport terminals, preferably Chapter, Retail Design Institute design fi rm, winning four Store with an occasional round of golf of the Year awards and landing or ski run, wherever possible. Board of Advisors: DDI magazine Business Advisory Council KEY CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS Member: Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) Checkers/Rally’s Kohl’s Christopher & Banks Lane Bryant HONORS Danier Leather (Canada) ( Shanghai) Retail Design Infl uencer by Delaware North M&M’S/Mars DDI magazine Retail Design Institute Retail Domino’s Skazka (Russia) Design Legion of Honor Dunkin’ Donuts Target Markopoulos Award winner by Foot Locker/Champs Sports The Scotts Miracle-Gro DDI magazine Hamleys (UK) Company 2008 CCAD Commencement Hanesbrands Inc. Walmart speaker CCAD Honorary Doctor INDUSTRY EXPERTISE of Arts degree Retail innovation Implementation and EDUCATION Store design architecture Store planning Design leadership The Ohio State University, Architecture Business trends Education