IDEA, an eCommerce service provider, announced that Robert E. Gaylord had been named president of the organization. Gaylord, a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, brings to IDEA expertise in leading large, complex, dispersed organizations of both military and civilian personnel. He joins IDEA after serving as president and chief executive officer of the Leader to Leader Institute in New York.

IDEA was founded in 1998 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED). The organization has been instrumental in improving data quality in the electrical industry, overseeing industry data standards, and driving down supply chain costs for its customers.

“I know Bob Gaylord as a remarkable officer and a fantastic leader. I am confident that Bob will work with our industries to lead IDEA to new levels of service and accomplishment,” said NEMA President and Chief Executive Officer Evan R. Gaddis.