On Thursday, October 17th, three new legionaries were inducted into the prestigious Retail Design Legion of Honor during the Institute's 53rd International Design Awards program in New York City.
The Retail Design Institute congratulates the newest Legionaries Aaron Spiess, Executive Vice President of JLL and co-founder and CEO of Big Red Rooster, Alec Zaballero, Partner and Retail Practice Leader at TPG Architecture, and David Kepron, VP – Brand Experience and Design Strategy at Ædifica and founder of NXTLVL Experience Design.
"The Legion of Honor, each year, recognizes leaders within our industry who exhibit qualities, innovation, professionalism, and mentorship," said Legion of Honor Chairman, Ken Nisch, AIA, FRDI. "There is a 'qualitative' criteria related to years of practice, awards, etc., but I believe what truly identifies our industry leaders, are more the 'qualitative' aspects of their career in changing, leading, and persevering, and doing so with grace, partnership, and I might add, style! In recognizing our three inductees this year, all, in their own way, exhibit unique qualitative and quantitative qualities worthy of the Legion of Honor."
The first Legion of Honor Medal for the evening was awarded to Aaron Spiess, whose 35-year career has demonstrated an exceptional blend of business acumen and human-centered leadership. As Partner for RPA and co-founder, partner and CEO of Big Red Rooster, Spiess delivered unparalleled strategic creative vision while nurturing both client relationships and team development. His successful sale of Big Red Rooster to JLL, where he continued as CEO of JLL Design Solutions, showcased his ability to drive growth while maintaining creative excellence. In his acceptance, Spiess reinforced his passionate belief in "What's Next" and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of what a retail design firm can achieve.
Alec Zaballero, the evening's second inductee, was recognized for his transformative work as cofounder and leader of TPG Architecture's retail design practice in New York City. Over his 25-year career, Zaballero has earned over 50 design awards from prestigious institutions including Shop!, RDI, the AIA, IFMA, and VMSD Magazine. During his acceptance speech, he emphasized his dedication to mentoring future talent and developing the next generation of designers at TPG Architecture, ensuring that his knowledge and passion continue to shape the industry's future.
The ceremony concluded with the induction of David Kepron, whose multidisciplinary approach has revolutionized how brands connect with customers. An artist, architect, author, educator, and podcast host, Kepron brings a unique perspective to retail design by combining art and design principles with social and cultural anthropology, psychology, neuroscience, and emerging digital technologies. As former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International and current VP of Brand Experience and Design Strategy at Ædifica, Kepron has created empathically-focused customer experiences around the globe. His thought leadership extends beyond practice through his book "Retail (r)Evolution," his teaching positions at multiple universities, and his service on the boards of Shop! Association and the Advisory Council of the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.
Congratulations once more to the newest members of the Retail Design Legion of Honor!
This Institute would also like to thank the Legion of Honor Chairman, Ken Nisch, AIA, FRDI, and the other members of the review committee (who per the rules of the Legion of Honor will remain anonymous), for their hard work, and collaboration in reviewing a number of portfolios and selecting this year's inductees.
About the Legion of Honor:
In 2001, recognizing the retail design profession was driven not by business executives but by visionary designers, the Retail Design Institute established the Retail Design Legion of Honor. Since that time, the Institute has inducted 47 legionaries, nominated by Professional members of the Institute, for their contributions to Retail Design.
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