Curtis Appointed Idea’s Interim President, Board Looks for New CEO

ARLINGTON, VA — Idea president and CEO Bob Gaylord has stepped down to pursue other areas of interest, the Idea Board of Directors announced.

While the company looks for a new CEO, Chris Curtis, former CEO of Schneider Electric’s North American Operations, current chairman of the NEMA Board of Governors, and an IDEA Board member, will manage day-to-day operations of IDEA. Curtis will also be leading the search process for Gaylord’s replacement.  

“Chris has been in the electrical industry for more than 20 years and is well known to both the manufacturer and distributor communities. He is uniquely qualified to help the IDEA organization and its customers through this leadership transition. We are very fortunate to be able to have Chris available at this time,” said Jack Carlson, chair of of Idea’s Board of Directors and president of Southwire’s North American Business. 

“The IDEA Board and the entire organization thank Bob for his leadership and service to the electrical industry community during the last seven years as CEO,” Carlson added.