Joe Youst
Program Director, CESO Inc.
Joe is a seasoned architectural professional with more than 25 years of experience leading retail, restaurant, banking, automotive convenience, and residential projects. His expertise spans prototype development, ground-up builds, remodels, and large-scale program rollouts, giving him a deep appreciation for how buildings come together and how to deliver consistent quality across diverse markets.
As a Program Director at CESO, Joe provides steady leadership across national programs, mentoring teams, guiding complex projects, and fostering collaboration among clients, contractors, and consultants. He is known for his approachable style, strong communication skills, and ability to bring clarity to fast-moving projects.
Joe’s career reflects a balance of technical depth and program oversight. He has managed the creation and rollout of prototypes, overseen construction documentation for multi-site initiatives, and led efforts to optimize design processes for efficiency and constructability. Passionate about both people and process, Joe thrives on building strong teams and helping clients achieve their rollout goals with confidence.
10:00 - 10:20 AM
Wednesday May 6
SmartTalk! Session: Branch 360: A Collaborative Blueprint for the Future-Focused Banking Environment (Stage 1)
As banks reinvent their branches for digital-first customers, they face challenges long familiar to retailers: Balancing technology with human connection, designing for trust, and maintaining brand consistency at scale. This session explores how financial institutions are rethinking physical spaces through evolving branch models, research backed insights and changing customer behaviors. Discover how experiential design strategies can translate digital convenience into meaningful, high-performing environments that build confidence, engagement and long-term loyalty across every location.
Takeaways:
- Learn how banks adapt retail design strategies
- Discover shifts in customer expectations and behavior
- Explore experiential tools that build trust and performance