Team
The Element Group team consists of designers, architects, brand strategists, account executives, and partnerships rich in architectural programs, construction and logistical planners, and designers. We’re all about building brand identity and fully implementing a three dimensional retail experience in the banking industry. Our entire focus serves this market and clients benefit from this extreme focus.
William Foley Principle and Cofounder William Foley, The Element Group Principle and Co-founder: A design/build management consultant for retail environments, William has 20 years of experience working with over 900 financial institutions and retail organizations nationwide including Harley Davidson, Bank of America, Heartland Financial, Sovereign Bank, Citizens, Wells Fargo, and community banks throughout the country. His work as an Executive with major firms including Brand Partners in New Hampshire has helped corporate and financial clientele realize a higher caliber of brand appeal as their retail spaces transform from static settings into cross selling opportunities. Not just a consultant to small branches, William is helping The Element Group negotiate its standing as an authorized design builder for global retailers as the company continues to offer its expertise to established industries. As for his background, William has consulted on projects ranging from new builds, site specifications, renovations, and refurbishments for both mid and large scale organizations with branch allocations in the hundreds. William continues to oversee the operations management side at the Element Group bringing specialized insight to projects nationwide. He has a B.S. in construction management from Utica College in New York and can be reached for retail expertise at william@everybitmatters.com.
Nate Baldasaro Principle and Cofounder With over 15 years experience in the financial services industry, and a background in senior management positions, Nate has covered the nation helping to grow thousands of banks through his intuitive merchandising plans, retail and promotional marketing programs, and design build opportunities. A marketing strategist and retail banking expert; corporate banks, credit unions, and affiliates rely on Nate’s industry expertise in order to conceive and implement a higher level of brand awareness working to capture customer loyalty branch by branch. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Nate’s vision for personalizing the banking experience goes well beyond basic no fee programs. “People want personalization, which goes the distance in terms of trust, care, and outcome. Brick and mortar retailers have shown us for years how to overcome boring displays, poor layouts, and ineffective promotions. My goal is to show banks the potential for growth including savvy giveaways, design elements, and more because every piece, each little bit of marketing element creates a lasting impression and works to retain loyalty. This is why my motto is ‘every bit matters.’” Nate can be reached at: nate@everybitmatters.com
Bill Bauer, Vice President Bill brings more than 20 years experience in retail design, project management, and sales initiatives to The Element Group, with over a decade spent working specifically in the banking industry. Overseeing our West coast office, his knowledge with major brands including Starbucks Coffee, Levi Strauss, Helly Hansen, Weyerhaeuser and numerous other clients in high-tech, retail and the construction products breathe life into their brand strategies. Bill holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from Western Washington University. Bill can be reached at:bill@everybitmatters.com.
Jeff Ferris, Architect Jeff is a registered architect with twenty-five years experience in a broad range of residential, industrial and commercial architecture. Well-versed in all project phases, he understands the many nuances of executing a building project from pre design through finish construction. He is also diligent in his efforts to make corporate stewardship and sustainability practices an integrated consideration in each project. Working in partnership with The Element Group since its inception, Jeff and his team work closely with banking and brand strategists, retail communications experts, product and graphic designers, and construction project managers to bring branded retail environments and architecture to life.Jeff received a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1983.
Rudiger Merz, Brand Strategist comes to The Element Group as a consultant, having spent over 20 years supporting international marketing, brand management and general management initiatives in global situations. Described as an, “international marketer, brand strategist, and visionary leader,” Rudiger works with leaders, organizations, and individuals to discover their vision and purpose which in turn inspire people and focus the organization to execute with laser-like precision. Having earned an MBA from the University of Kaiserslautern (Germany), he brings a vast knowledge of communication patterns and consumer influences to our group. In his most recent opportunity he served as the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communication at the Nevada State Bank/Zions Bancorporation and has worked with global clients including Mercedes Benz, Ritz Carleton, Virgin Group, Vivendi, Telephonica, HP, DIsney, GE, Merck, Cisco, Chase, Nestle Honda, and Nike. Rudiger can be reached at: rudiger@everybitmatters.com.
George Brown, Graphic Designer As a designer, George has dedicated the past 10 years to design concepts within the financial services industry. His client roster includes many financial institutions ranging form small community banks to large nation wide clients such as Bank of America, SunTrust Bank, and National City. George’s work is apparent in large window display roll outs for locations across the country to multi-site large format interior graphics for smaller regional banks. His design concepts are integral part of our bank projects from concept through implementation as he works with creative directors, senior designers, project managers, and production managers to insure that the highest level of design is achieved. George can be reached at: george@everybitmatters.com.
Pat Napoli is a leader, who constantly challenges his team and other business partners to develop and implement new strategies, which will ensure all parties meet their long-term objectives. His team has worked on bi-lingual projects for key partnerships like: Visa, Volaris Airlines, Banco Santander, Bank of America, Chedraui Stores, Banco Facil, Travelocity, Vion, StorValue Card Solutions, EA Sports, UPromise and Fidelisoft over the last 5 years.
Pat leads a team of experts focused on multi-national, multi-lingual projects in the following areas: Business development/partnership creation; Marketing; Credit; Micro/Social based lending; Collections; Retention; Call center outsourcing; General operational optimization.
Previously, as Senior Director with Barclaycard US, he was responsible for full Profit and Loss management for one-third of the $6.5 Billion Barclays US credit card business. Pat was keenly focused on motivating and assisting his team in their analysis of growth opportunities via account acquisition and new partnership signings, ensuring the optimization of expenditures and optimizing cross-sell/revenue opportunities in all customer contact areas.
From 2002-2006, in Madrid, he reported directly to the Chief Executive Officer of MBNA España. He had direct operational responsibility for all credit card and consumer loans divisions with full Profit and Loss responsibility. Pat managed, in Spanish, four host-nation Directors, who had responsibility for Customer Service, Credit, Telesales and Loss Prevention Areas with a team of more than 400 people. In addition, Pat ran the entire MBNA España Marketing organization with full Profit and Loss responsibility. With the help of four Directors, he launched eight channels – including door-to-door and SMS channels and created and In-Bound and Out-Bound Call Loyalty center for MBNA España.
