Gerri Chmiel

About Gerri Chmiel

Seasoned design professional with 34 years of product design knowledge with experience…

Experience

1. Senior Design Manager

   Formica Group North America

   Feb 2001 — Present · Cincinnati, OH, US

   Lead strategic style, design development and implementation to introduce productranges for surface materials: laminate, solid surfacing and decorative metals.
   -Manage overall design and scale up of introductions with cross-functional team. Workwith Marketing to promote Formica product launches to customers, the channel andthe press.
   - Gather and share competitive design intelligence, market needs and trend informationfor internal education as well as for development of new product direction.
   -Key designer responsible for global Formica research development within the designcommunity to provide validation and commercial support for introductions.
   -Develop and foster relationships with strategic international paper, solid surface, andother suppliers including allied surfacing and building product markets.
   -Work in coordination with Sales to enhance the customer experience: presentations,product recommendations, trend information and CEU’s.
   -Work in coordination with internal PR to provide relevant trends and information forsocial media.

Skills

• Industrial Design
• Concept Development
• Facilitation
• Business Development
• Interior Architecture
• Design Research
• Brand Development
• Materials
• Public Speaking
• Space Planning
• Building Materials
• Marketing
• New Business Development
• Product Design
• Marketing Strategy
• Sketching
• Space-Planning
• Design Strategy
• Graphic Design
• Product Development
• Training & Development
• Retail
• Furniture
• Interior Design