The International Sign Association (ISA) has named its 2019 ISA Elite Class – “the next generation of sign, graphics and visual communications industry leaders,” said the organization. Now in its fifth year, the class is the most diverse ever for this highly competitive, one-of-a-kind program. In all, 37 participants range from those who own their companies to those who work for the largest manufacturers. Some are involved in sign creation and installation, while others are in sales, marketing and product development. Still others have roles in planning, recruiting and training. In addition, 27 represent companies that are new to the program, said the ISA. The first meeting of the 2019 ISA Elite Class will be held at the ISA International Sign Expo 2019 in April and will meet again at ISA headquarters in the fall for the industry’s first-ever leadership training program. There, these young professionals learn valuable skills that will help propel their companies, their careers and the industry, forward.
“Each year, the ISA Elite bring a level of excitement to the industry,” said Lori Anderson, President and CEO of the International Sign Association. “This group, in particular, will benefit from the many diverse connections they’ll be able to make. As with previous groups, they’ll be able to take what they’ve learned back to their companies, where they can make a major impact.” One of the highlights of ISA International Sign Expo events is the gathering of ISA Elite participants from previous years. “The ISA Elite program has proven invaluable in developing the next generation of sign, graphics and visual communications industry leaders,” said Iain Mackenzie, ISA’s Vice President of Meetings and Events. “The networking provides connections that participants can take back into their businesses and help them solve problems or maximize opportunities. ”
The 2019 ISA Elite Class Canadian members are:
- Kelso Brennan, General Manager and President of Hi Signs/Banff Sign Company in Edmonton, Alberta
- Krista Edwards, Project Manager and Sales Representative at Media Resources International in Oakville, Ontario
- Nikki Sheridan, Project Manager at Modern Age Plastics in Toronto, Ontario
Other members include:
- Mark Abernathy, Owner, OxCart Manufacturing, Dallas, TX
- Ian Adair, Production Specialist, Sign-Age of Tampa Bay, Clearwater, FL
- Jessie Allen, Training Coordinator, Allen Industries, Greensboro, NC
- Ellery Ammons, Planning & Development Coordinator, Downtown Memphis Commission, Memphis, TN
- Andrew Bacher, Territory Manager, Watchfire Signs, Charlotte, NC
-
Krista Edwards.
Brianna Beere, Project Manager, Performance Signs, Ruckersville, VA - Scott Branch, Purchasing/Materials Manager, Everbrite, Buena Vista, VA
- Ross Cartwright, Business Consultant, FASTSIGNS International Inc., Newport, KY
- Cody Chambers, Sign Channel Territory Manager, Keystone Technologies, Springfield, TN
- Lee Dawson, Operations Leader-Southeast, Poblocki Sign Company, Milwaukee, WI
- Anthony DeLeon, Operations Manager, Ad Light Group, Denver, CO
- Kristen Derby, Purchasing Manager, Federal Heath, Racine, WI
- Ryan Drury, Account Representative, Pacific Neon Company, Sacramento, CA
- Ellen Dyar, Business Development Manager, Yorston & Associates, Columbus, OH
-
Nikki Sheridan.
Elisha Gordon, National Search Consultant, MetroSeek, Englishtown, NJ - Erik Joncas, V.P. Sales and Operations, Welch Sign, Scarborough, ME
- Kaley Keller, Project Manager, Graybeal Signs, Wenatchee, WA
- Corey Kennedy, COO, Nova Sign Group, Mt Holly, NJ
- Joe Landin, Fabrication & Install Manager, BSC Signs, Broomfield, CO
- Philip Lawrence, Partner/General Manager, Graphic Components, Greensboro, NC
- James Levine, Vice President, WL Concepts & Production, Freeport, NY
- Nicole Maguire, Designer, Poyant Signs, New Bedford, MA
- Rob Matthews, Production Manager, Matthews Mobile Media, Greensboro, NC
- Daniel Mehmet, Procurement Director, Philadelphia Sign Company, Palmyra, NJ
- Lee Murphy, Sales Representative, Enseignes Access Inc., Longueuil, QC
- Jordan Rhoads, Project Manager, Principal LED, San Angelo, TX
- Rebecca Rickman, Director of Marketing, Graphic Solutions Group (GSG), Louisville, KY
- Dexter Schiller, CEO, Schiller Reed Inc, Denver, CO
- Scott Sindle, Senior Project Manager, North American Signs, Inc., South Bend, IN
- Stuart Stein, VP and Third-Generation Owner, ESCO Manufacturing/Stein Sign Display, Watertown, SD
- Charlie Trujillo, CEO, Lettering Express, Oklahoma City, OK
- Samantha Walker, Project Service Coordinator, Stellar Sign & Design, Winter Park, FL
- Abigail Watts, Process Engineer, Springfield Sign, Springfield, MO
- Ryan Wilkins, Vice President of Sales, Baton Rouge Sign,
