Charles W. Pelly, FIDSA

Founder, Intersection-Inc. Acclaimed product, seating, auto and transportation designer Chuck Pelly distinguishes himself in the design industry through his 45 years of diverse experience. Chuck’s passion for solving complex challenges led him to become the Chief Creative Officer of Intersection-Inc,, a human-centered design innovation, multi-disciplined consultancy with its’ education collaboratory The Design Academy. Co-founder/chief creative officer of the Design Academy, Inc.,  Chuck focuses on identifying cutting edge technologies that can be humanized through the power of design. As a result of his deep and diverse range of experiences, Chuck has built and unparalleled global network of collaborators, suppliers, and manufacturers. The founder/former President of Designworks/USA, which was purchased by BMW Group, Pelly’s influential work in Designworks/USA assisted the designs of the BMW X5, Z4, and award-winning BMW 3 Series and the Rolls Royce. Chuck is the designer of the original Scarab sports car for Lance Reventlow and the original Chaparral racecar and has been awarded by Eyes on Design for race car design. Chuck’s innovative leadership resulted in the success of noted branded products for almost all major industries from auto, medical, consumer, food, and Oil & Gas to name a few. Nominated three times for the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Lifetime Achievement award, Chuck pioneered the development of comfort ergonomics in office seating, industrial equipment, medical equipment, and automobiles. Chuck has been awarded more than 40 U.S. and foreign patents, has received numerous awards for his design work, has taught and lectured broadly, served on many boards, has been President of the Industrial Design Society of America, and an IDSA Fellow since 1994 and is a distinguished alumnus, of the Art Center College of Design where he received their George Jorgensen Design Achievement award for his significant contributions.