Click here to download this press release in PDF format. January 23, 2008 Contact: Allison Short Public Relations Coordinator (614) 469-1001 ashort@chutegerdeman.com Agency Contact: Karen Schaffner Corporate Image Consulting (678) 579-9906 schaffner@direcpath.tv Chute Gerdeman Retail Continues to Grow COLUMBUS, OH—Leading retail design firm, Chute Gerdeman Retail welcomes four new team members to its Columbus studio. David Birnbaum, Erika Buchholz and Julianne Wallace join the Design Development team, and Connie Holland has been hired as Human Resources Coordinator. David Birnbaum joins Chute Gerdeman as a registered architect in the Design Development studio. With more than 17 years of experience in professional architectural design and implementation, his role is to coordinate the company’s architectural/engineering documentation and integrated construction services. His excellent communication skills, project management experience and technical knowledge make him an asset to team members and clients—communicating client needs to the team and maintaining quality control of all design development documents. Birnbaum is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, and he earned a Master’s of Architecture in 1991 from The Ohio State University. He has been a member of the American Institute of Architects since 1994 and is a licensed architect in the state of Ohio. Erika Buchholz joins Chute Gerdeman as a designer in the Design Development studio with more than five years of experience. She will coordinate the design development for all projects, including design intent documentation for the environment, custom store fixtures and millwork, coordination with graphic design, lighting design, architectural and engineering consultants and implementation coordination with vendors, fabricators and contractors. Buchholz is a graduate of Kent State University. Julianne Wallace has also been hired as a designer on the Design Development team to work with the environments designers detailing and documenting design intent for environmental and casework drawings. Wallace is a graduate of Columbus College of Art & Design. Connie Holland joins the administrative team as Human Resources Coordinator with more than 19 years experience as an HR Generalist. Her responsibilities include recruiting, benefits administration and employee relations. Holland is a graduate of Ohio University. Please click here to download headshots of David, Erika, Julianne, and Connie. About Chute Gerdeman Retail Since 1989, Chute Gerdeman Retail, based in Columbus, OH, has created retail brands, their identities, their environments, and every other customer touch point. The firm’s client list includes: Target, Levi Strauss, Limited Too, Kohl's, Shopko, Sheetz, Smithsonian, Hamleys, Lowe's, Einstein Brothers Café, KFC (Japan), Hanesbrands, Inc., Pepsi-Cola, Ross-Simons, Nationwide Arena, Marriott Vacation Club International, Starwood and Wolverine. In 2006, the firm was voted “Designer of the Year” by readers of DDI (Display & Design Ideas) magazine in addition to the numerous awards it has received for design leadership. For more information, go to www.chutegerdeman.com