FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 1, 2018

THE INTERNATIONAL INTERIOR DESIGN ASSOCIATION (IIDA) HIRES JOHN CZARNECKI AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

CHICAGO — The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) today announced that John Czarnecki, Hon. IIDA, Assoc. AIA, has accepted the position of deputy director and senior vice president of the organization.

The highly respected industry veteran comes to IIDA with more than 20 years of experience in commercial design and architecture. Czarnecki, who has both Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Planning degrees from University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee (UWM), was most recently editor in chief of Contract magazine for nearly seven years.

“I am eager and excited to begin serving the membership of IIDA, and working closely with Cheryl Durst, the headquarters staff, the International Board of Directors and local chapters in furthering the mission of the association,” said Czarnecki.

In this new, redefined position for IIDA, Czarnecki will utilize his expertise, knowledge, and vast network to manage industry relations, drive membership communications, and continue to expand programming efforts for the organization.

“John is a true ambassador of design, both within the industry and to the world at large,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, LEED AP. “He understands the challenges and opportunities facing our membership, and I trust that his contributions will aid in the continued development of the association and the profession as a whole.”

In his previous role at Contract, Czarnecki oversaw the magazine’s print and online content and presented the annual Interiors Awards and Best of NeoCon awards. While editor in chief of Contract, he served as the national chairman of the 2014 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention. Prior to Contract, Czarnecki was senior acquisitions editor of architecture and design at John Wiley & Sons, where he edited and published books written for architects, interior designers, urban planners, and preservation and construction professionals. From 2000 to 2003, he was an associate editor at Architectural Record magazine, and from 1996 to 1998, he was editor in chief of Crit, the national journal of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). Czarnecki practiced urban design with the firm Urban Strategies in Toronto and architectural design with firms in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin.

“In my career, I’ve taken a broad view of the design profession. Because IIDA members are Contract readers, I’ve come to know many of the organization’s key leaders, and I am well aware of the issues that are important to design professionals across generations and geographic locations. IIDA is in an excellent position today, and I am excited by the opportunity to help support and enhance its future,” said Czarnecki.

Czarnecki will be based at IIDA Headquarters in Chicago, and his position will be effective in March 2018.

About International Interior Design Association
IIDA is the Commercial Interior Design Association with global reach. We support design professionals, industry affiliates, educators, students, firms, and their clients through our network of 15,000+ members across 58 countries. IIDA advocates for advancement in education, design excellence, legislation, leadership, accreditation, and community outreach to increase the value and understanding of interior design as a profession that enhances business value and positively impacts the health and well-being of people’s lives every day. www.iida.org