design:retail - April 2017 - 53

053
GERARDO MELLADO

Visual Manager, In-Store Experience
Lord & Taylor
Age 26
Since joining Lord & Taylor nearly two years ago, Mellado's
planning team has successfully completed four multimillion
dollar store renovations. He has been honored twice at the
annual PAVE Gala when his team took home design:retail
Winning Windows awards, claiming the Platinum Award in
2015 and the Gold Award in 2016. Mellado is such a known
force in the visual merchandising industry that he was a
competitor on the first season of "Window Warriors" on GSN.
My favorite movie: "Beauty and the Beast" (the original).
My guilty pleasure comfort food: "Mofongo" from Puerto Rico.

oor in North
fl
s
s
re
d
t
s
e
rg
la
e
h
My next project:&TTaylor Fifth Avenue New York.
America, Lord
BRIAN PERLOW

Associate
Bergmeyer Associates Inc.
Age 37
With more than six years under his belt at Bostonbased Bergmeyer Associates Inc., this dedicated
architect has guided several national retail clients
through prototype design, site-specific design
solutions and store development standards.
Perlow has a passion for sustainability and
high-performance buildings, resulting in more
than 25 LEED-certified projects at the Platinum,
Gold and Silver levels. Colleagues praise his ability
to not only lead, but to mentor and develop talent
within Bergmeyer. Recent projects include TD
Bank, Sonos and Peet's Coffee & Tea.
I can't live without: Exceptional coffee.
My happy place: In the White Mountains of
New Hampshire.

MO MULLEN

Director, Business Development-LOCAL
West Elm
Age 37
Mullen was hired by West Elm almost four years ago to launch its West
Elm LOCAL initiative, which partners with more than 800 makers and
artisans across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom to
bring unique, hand-crafted products to West Elm stores and online. Her
work bringing local craft to West Elm has helped with consumer
awareness of the maker movement and has pioneered a new channel
between independent designers and specialty chain retailers.
My next project: Localizing West Elm HOTELS.
The best advice I ever received: Lean in! (From my dad during my track
career, long before Sheryl Sandberg's book came out.)
I'm inspired by: The Sill, a female founded start-up that is helping people
bring more of the outdoors inside-one beautiful potted plant at a time.

Dream job: Pro
f
tennis playeesrs. ional
MICHAEL PIETRUNTI

Vice President, Visual Merchandising and
Creative Services
Tommy Hilfiger
Age 35
Despite having a background in culinary arts and
hospitality, Pietrunti has made quite a name for
himself in the visual merchandising industry over
the past decade. Before coming to Tommy Hilfiger
in 2009, he spent significant time in the industry
with The Gap and The Children's Place. Around the
office, Pietrunti is known for his ability to think
creatively and critically, as well as for being a great
leader who invests in his team and ensures that
they enjoy coming to work. His next big project is
opening up a new store concept for Tommy.
The best advice I ever received: Opportunity is not a
lengthy visitor.
Latest obsession: Cauliflower rice.
I'm inspired by: Genuine acts of authenticity.

SCOTT POLONEY

Senior Associate/Senior Designer
JPRA Architects
Age 35
Poloney is considered a gifted designer and architectural illustrator
after 14 years with Detroit-area firm JPRA. Colleagues say his
expertise helps create a "wow" factor for clients while providing
exceptional experiences for shoppers. At the ICSC's CenterBuild
Conference in 2016, he co-presented on virtual reality technologies,
sharing innovative strategies to create high-impact presentations
and improve design development workflow. Recent projects include
The Mall of San Juan in Puerto Rico and the Westfield Valley Fair
expansion and renovation in San Jose, Calif.
Dream job: Fighter pilot.
I'm inspired by: My wife.

orld:
w
e
th
in
e
c
la
p
e
it
My favor ming on stage.
Drum

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of design:retail - April 2017