IRA SHARFIN is the CEO of Continental Office, based in Columbus, OH, with additional locations in Pittsburgh and Toledo. He strives to change the way people work and think by creating and sharing research and insights about spatial environments. His understanding that great spaces are only as great as the ideas that are created inside them is the driving force behind Continental’s business and brand.
Continental Office is a team of 230+ creative problem solvers who bring new ideas to life through industry expertise and collaboration. The company influences meaningful change in environments with specific expertise in furniture, floors, walls, branding and services, and is also one of North America’s largest Herman Miller dealers.
Ira joined Continental in 2005 after 17 years of consulting for PwC and IBM. As a strategy partner, he worked with several Fortune 500 companies, primarily in the consumer and industrial sectors. He served as the global leader for the Strategic Profit Improvement practice and as one of the practice leaders for IBM’s Mergers & Acquisitions team.
Throughout his career, he has devised creative solutions for business strategy, sales and marketing, merger integration, profit improvement, operations management and process redesign.
Ira has been involved with various organizations and advisory boards, including: The Columbus Museum of Art, Young Presidents Organization, New Albany Community Foundation, Columbus School for Girls, Wexner Heritage Village, St. Stephen’s Community House, NCT Ventures, Herman Miller Dealer Steering Council, OSU Hillel and Project Mentor (Big Brothers Big Sisters).
As an industrial engineering graduate of the University of Michigan, he is a Wolverine at heart, but enjoys supporting the Buckeyes. He is also an avid skier and annually rides in Pelotonia. Ira lives in New Albany with his wife Dr. Meghan Cook, 3 daughters and dog, Freddie.
