Joseph Wisne is the co-founder, president, and CEO of Roto, the largest design-build firm for interactive exhibits in North America.
He co-founded Roto in 2004, following seven years at the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio, as Vice President of Exhibits. During this period, he worked on two major museum expansion projects.
Since its inception, Roto has grown into a leading design-build company, and has worked on renowned exhibitions at the National Museum of American History, the Center of Science and Industry, the Northern Virginia Science Center, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the new National Museum of Military Vehicles, and more.
Wisne has over 25 museum master planning credits and is an expert in the creation of interactive experiences and immersive attractions, working to transform museums into memorable, multisensory environments.
As president and CEO, he has helped to grow Roto each year. The company now has over 75 employees, based at its 60,000-foot, cutting-edge facility in Dublin, Ohio and, just in 2020 to 2021, has completed nearly 22 projects. This includes six museums, four children’s museums, four science centres, one aquarium, two zoos, two art museums, two brand destinations, and a theme park project.
In February 2021, Roto appointed two new principals, as well as more multi-disciplinary, immersive media experts. As Roto announced this expansion of its leadership team, Wisne said:
“In a culture saturated with superficial social engagement and virtual interactions, we all stand at a historic moment that challenges our assumptions about the qualities of human experience.
“We recognize Roto’s unique leadership in creating genuine human connections through full sensory engagement with media, objects, stories, and spaces. Expanding our studios to serve the creative demands of architects, developers, and brands, has never been more timely, particularly when we can build it on our proven platform of innovation, rigour, and accountability.”