Susan K. Ballard, ASID, RID, NCIDQ

President, Senior Designer, Project Manager

After graduating from the University of Tennessee with Honors, Susan worked as an Interior Designer/Business Manager at Business Interiors, as Senior Designer/Project Manager at Corporate Interiors in Knoxville, and as the Director of Interior Design at Smee + Busby Architects. She is now President of SK Ballard Contract Interiors located in Knoxville, TN. Susan has worked with many different architects, general contractors, and clients on a variety of project types. She has won numerous design awards on multi-million dollar projects throughout her career.

In 2012, Susan was honored with an appointment by Governor Bill Haslam to serve as the Interior Designer Representative to the Architectural and Engineering Board of Examiners 2012-2020. For the 2016-2017 calendar year, she was elected Chairperson of this Board. Susan has also represented the State of Tennessee at the National CIDQ Delegate Meeting (2012-2019) where she served on the nominating committee.

Education

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (CIDA Accredited)
1992 – Bachelor of Science Degree-Interior Design (magna cum laude)

Registration

Registered in the State of Tennessee #00000092
Licensed in the State of Florida #L809190000403 (retired)

Affiliations

American Society of Interior Designers – 1989-2021
National Council for Interior Design Qualifications #13969

Professional Experience

SK Ballard Contract Interiors, LLC – Knoxville, TN
2013 – Present; Position: President, Registered Interior Designer

Smee Busby Architects – Knoxville, TN
2006 – 2013; Position: Director of Interior Design, Registered Interior Designer

Corporate Interiors, Inc. – Knoxville, TN
1998 – 2006; Position: Senior Designer, Project Manager, Registered Interior Designer

Business Interiors, Inc. – Knoxville, TN
1990 – 1998; Position: General Manager, Registered Interior Designer

Conferences/Industry Shows

In February 2018, Susan went to China to supervise the construction and upholstery pieces for the Margaritaville Resort in the Smokies. While in China, Susan worked with the Chinese labor and taught the workers new upholstery techniques. She then left for the Malaysia and Singapore International Furniture Fairs as one of four ASID delegates representing the United States.

In March 2019, Susan was sponsored to attend the China International Furniture Fair. During her trip to Asia, she toured multiple furniture factories in Vietnam to help develop custom furniture for her clients.

  • NeoCon Attendance: 1992, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2014
  • HD Expo in Vegas: 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019
  • Post NeoCon shows in Tennessee: 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021
  • ASID National Conference in Denver, Colorado as the Student President Representative from the University of Tennessee
  • ASID Tennessee State Conferences – 1991-2021
  • ASID Regional Leadership Training – 1995-2007
  • ASID National Conference in Vancouver, Canada – 2005

Professional Activities

  • 2012 – 2020 – Appointed by Governor Haslam to the Architectural and Engineering Board of Examiners as the Interior Designer Representative
  • 2016 – 2017 – Elected Chair-Person Architectural and Engineering Board of Examiners
  • 2015 – 2016 – Elected Vice Chair Architectural and Engineering Board of Examiners
  • 2014 – 2015 – Elected Secretary Architectural and Engineering Board of Examiners
  • 2018 – 2019 – CIDQ Nominating Committee for National Conference of Delegates
  • 2012 – 2019 – National Delegate to the NCIDQ Board of Delegates
  • 2010 – Present – Knox Heritage – Historic Preservation Member, Committee Member
  • 2010 – 2012 – Board of Advisors – UT College of Architecture & Design
  • 2010 – 2014 – Board of Advisors – Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service
  • 2010 – 2011 – American Heart Association – Circle of Red Committee
  • 2007 – 2014 – Consultant for Knox Heritage Vintage Homes Restoration
  • 2007 – 2009 – Cambridge Who’s Who Registry of Exec., Entrepreneurs and Professionals
  • 2006 – 2007 – President of Tennessee Chapter of ASID
  • 2005 – 2006 – President Elect of the Tennessee Chapter of ASID
  • 2001 – 2005 – Served on several State committees for ASID
  • 1999 – 2001 – State Secretary of the Tennessee Chapter of ASID
  • 1997 – Present – American Society of Interior Designers Prof. Member
  • 1992 – 1997 – Allied Member ASID, local Association Officer and State Board member; served on several state committees
  • 1991 – 2014 – Served as a Co-Chair for the designer’s room scene at Fantasy of Trees to raise funds for Children’s Hospital

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)

  • State of Tennessee ASID Design Competition 2021: Best of Show for Commercial Hospitality Design: Vida and The Vault and 530 Lounge – Hyatt Place all located in Knoxville, TN
  • State of Tennessee ASID Design Competition 2021: Gold Award for Commercial Hospitality Design: The Vault – Historical Preservation/Adaptive Reuse category
  • State of Tennessee ASID Design Competition 2021: Gold Award for Commercial Hospitality Design: Special feature: Princess Vida marble statue
  • State of Tennessee ASID Design Competition 2021: Gold Award for Commercial Hospitality Design: 530 Lounge: Hyatt Place Hotel; Category Under 3500 sf
  • State of Tennessee ASID Design Competition 2021: Silver Award for Commercial Hospitality Design: Vida Restaurant – Downtown Knoxville, TN; Category over 5000 sf
  • State of Tennessee ASID Design Competition 2018: Gold Award for Commercial Hospitality Design: Gatlinburg hotel properties; Fairfield Inn & Suites; Margaritaville Resort
  • State of Tennessee ASID Design Competition 2016: Best of Show Award for Commercial Design: American Bank and Trust -Cookeville, TN
  • State of Tennessee ASID Design Competition 2016: Gold Award for Corporate Design Under 5000 sf: American Bank and Trust – Cookeville, TN
  • State of Tennessee ASID Design Competition 2016: Gold Award for Hospitality Design: Courtyard by Marriott – Gatlinburg, TN
  • State of Tennessee ASID Design Competition 2014: Merit Award for Hospitality Design: Holiday Inn Cedar Bluff – Gibby’s Bar and Grille
  • Intercontinental Hotel Group – Renovation Award 2014: Holiday Inn Cedar Bluff Knoxville
  • State of Tennessee ASID Design Competition 2012: 1st Place for Contract Design: ETCH Lobby Renovation Project
  • Tri-Star Design Award 2010: 1st Place in Historical Restoration for Café 4 Market Square
  • Silver Design Awards 2006: ETCH Surgery Center West and ETCH Renovations and Addition Project
  • Bronze Design Award 2004: ETCH Rehab Center West
  • Kenneth Kimbrough Design Excellence Award: 2001
  • Designer of the Year, Dolphin Award, Chapter Service Award: 2000
  • Community Service Award 1999: Volunteer work related to ETCH Fantasy of Trees

Awards and Publications

  • Retrofit Magazine: Spaces in the City: Artistic Expression, Hospitality and Entertainment Facilities: Vida and The Vault – May-June 2022
  • Knoxville Beautification, Orchid Award: Kefi Greek Lounge – 1st Place, 2019
  • Knoxville Heritage Historical Preservation Award, Vida and The Vault – 1st Place, 2021
  • USA TODAY’s 10 Best Hotels Award: Margaritaville Resort in the Smokies – 1st Place, 2019
  • Healthcare Design Magazine: Cover of Architectural Showcase 2012 for ETCH Lobby
  • Knoxville Metropolitan Planning Commission: Design Award – Café 4, 2009
  • Knoxville Beautification, Orchid Award: Café 4 – Orchid Award – 1st Place, 2009
  • Knox Heritage Greystone Award for Historical Restoration – Café 4, 2009
  • Cambridge Who’s Who Executives, Entrepreneurs, and Professionals, 2007
  • Published in At Home Magazine – ETCH Rehab Center Project, 2007
  • Mannington Commercial Floors: National Design of the Year 2006 – East TN Children’s Hospital
  • Published in Arch Idea Magazine for Forbo Flooring patterns at East TN Children’s Hospital, 2004