Industry veteran Darrell Long has joined Wilson Associates as Regional Managing Director. Under Long’s leadership, the firm’s Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Dallas studios will further expand to redefine the hospitality industry by inspiring, enriching, and engaging the human experience through design.
“Design is imperative, and touches nearly every aspect of our lives,” said Beth Campbell, CEO of Wilson Associates. “As a firm, our goal for 2020 is to continue to tell impactful stories through design. Darrell’s global design experience and love of modernism will add a unique perspective to our team, and we’re excited for what’s to come under his leadership.”
Darrell Long. Photo courtesy of Wilson Associates
Long brings more than 25 years of brand-strengthening design experience that evokes a distinct sense of location, while engaging the world’s most discriminating travelers. Throughout his professional career, Long has set new standards for luxury, comfort, and innovation in hospitality interior design across the world. He has been recognized throughout the hospitality design industry for his emphasis on modernist principles rooted in contemporary and technological design practices. His experience in design encompasses hospitality, retail, and recreation.
“Success is not determined by quantity; it’s determined by quality,” commented Long. “Wilson Associates is a world-class, luxury hospitality interior architectural design firm that values quality design. Design is about form and function. If you take a hotel, turn it upside down, and shake it until everything falls out; turn it right side up, and that’s the design. It’s what is carved, extruded, and organized.”
As Regional Managing Director for Wilson Associates, Long will oversee the design direction of the Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Dallas studios. Long delivers extensive experience in fostering a collaborative work environment among his previous design teams. He joins Wilson Associates with plans of encouraging increased employee retention and internal growth for his designers while offering his industry knowledge and international design expertise.
Long strongly emphasizes the value of providing a mentorship program for his design team and ensuring continued education on design and architecture. “By strengthening our talent, we will be able to achieve the best results,” said Long. “To achieve this, my goal is to provide transparency, understanding, respect, and a sense of humor. As designers, we fully understand the need to provide innovative design solutions for our clients. We will focus on concentrated learning, sharing of ideas, and collaboration within our global studios.”
Long, who earned a Bachelor’s Degrees from Old Dominion University and Virginia Commonwealth University, has spearheaded high-profile hospitality projects around the world. These include: Niccolo Chongqing, China; The Dream Resort in Palm Springs, California; Hilton Buena Park in Orange County California, and Hilton Wenchang Resort in Wenchang, China.
