Speakers

Darren Antle PE is licensed in 24 states and has been completing sign designs for over 11 years.

Sam has an incredible depth of knowledge of the sign industry, having worked in the business for more than 20 years. She is the founder and managing director of the successful ‘Make it Happen’ signage consultancy, which provides impartial and independent advice, knowledge, and direction to support people at all levels and any stage of their career in the signage business.

Fiercely committed to helping sign businesses succeed, as ISA-UK President, Sam focuses on working with ISA-UK members to establish future growth strategies allowing them to flourish. She also tackles the most pressing issues facing our members and helps to advocate on their behalf.

Lisa Auld is a Solutions Provider with Compass, where she focuses on the Organizational Development offerings of the organization. She brings experience from the corporate world in sales and marketing, along with a history of higher education, athletic administration, and counseling to her clients. Lisa focuses on training and development, coaching, and overall employee engagement.

Craig Berger is currently an Associate Professor and Chair of the CD Pathways program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City as well as a consultant on professional, manufacturing, and academic projects. Craig started as a preservation architect before managing sign and streetscape programs for the Foundation for Architecture starting in 1996. In his capacity there Craig became an expert in urban sign and interpretive programs. With that experience Craig built a consulting business centered around the development of planning, technical and educational tools around new practice areas working with clients like DuPont and Sunoco. He also helped launched initiatives in urban wayfinding including launching programs, writing books and creating workshops on the subject.

Craig took those skills to the Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) in 2002 and developed an educational and training program for the organization based on designer competencies as well as outreach programs in universities and other design associations. Inside SEGD Craig built knowledge areas in Wayfinding, Brand Environments, and Exhibition Design. He has also spearheaded education programs in practice areas like the ADA, dynamic wayfinding, and evidence based design. He took these skills to FIT where he has built a number of initiatives including a successful Design Thinking program that marries business and design.

Craig has a bachelor’s of arts and a bachelor’s of architecture from the Pennsylvania State University (1993), and a Master’s of Business Administration from Temple University (1999) with a concentration in International Business.

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James Carpentier is currently the Director State and Local Government Affairs with the International Sign Association. In this capacity James works with and educates local officials and planners in the creation of beneficial and effective sign codes. James is a national speaker and author on issues related to the regulation of signs. Prior to that James was the owner of Carpentier Consulting LLC where he specialized in sign variances, entitlements and sign legislation. James also has over 25 years experience as a certified planner in the public and private sectors.

Louis Cortina PE is licensed in 39 states. He has completed over 25,000 sign projects over the past 30 years.

Keith has a very diverse skill set that allows him to be an asset on multiple types of projects. With over 20 years experience every aspect of the design and manufacturing process, he has consistently proven to be the go-to resource capable of delivering the highest quality installations in some of the most complex environments.

Since 2002 John has been a partner at Vinyl Images and Design in St. Louis, Missouri with his brother, Joe Duever, and sister, Destiney Conley. Vinyl Images and Design started off in a 1500 square foot facility with 4 employees and now employs over two dozen talented people in their 27,000 square foot facility.

Vinyl Images typically produce around 3500 wraps and graphics packages a year, nationwide.

In 2017 John became a Certified Instructor for Avery Dennison and started traveling all over North America training and certifying vinyl wrap installers. In 2018 John decided he wanted to give more back to the Vinyl Wrap Industry he loves so much, and he started what is now WrapIQ.

Mitch Evans is a Managing Director of Graphic Arts Advisors, a boutique strategic financial advisory and consulting firm focused exclusively on the printing, packaging, mailing, marketing services, brand management, and related graphic communications industries. Mitch has over 35 years of experience in the print and graphic communications industry, during which time he has worked with hundreds of clients and been involved in more than seventy-five successful print industry M&A transactions. Mitch has the unique experience of having begun his career as a consultant before he successfully owned his own printing company for 23 years, bringing to GAA’s clients the insights he has gained from his significant hands-on operational printing experience.

Mitch currently facilitates three print peer groups, is a well-known speaker at industry events, and is a co-author of Taking Your Business to the Next Level as well as the author of Owner’s Guide to Outside Sales Compensation and the industry association’s publications Financial Benchmarking, Marketing & Sales and Digital & Wide Format Pricing.
Mitch’s extensive experience in the print and graphic communications industry includes seven years on the board of NAQP, serving as President in 1994-95;and being named an Honorary Lifetime Member of NAQP and a Member of the graphic communications industry’s prestigious Walter E. Soderstrom Society. Mitch holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering and an M.S. in Management Science both from Lehigh University.

David M. Fellman is the president of David Fellman & Associates, Raleigh NC, a sales & marketing consulting firm serving numerous segments of the graphic arts industry. He is the author of Sell More Printing (2009) and Listen To The Dinosaur (2010), which Selling Power magazine listed as one of its “10 Best Books To Read in 2010.” His articles on sales, marketing and management topics have appeared in a variety of industry publications, and he is a popular speaker who has delivered seminars and keynotes at industry events across the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Ed Foulke is the only attorney in the country confirmed by the U.S. Senate to run the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). He is currently a partner in the Atlanta office and the Washington, D.C. Metro office located in Arlington, Virginia. He is the former co-chair of the firm’s Workplace Safety and Catastrophe Management Practice Group. He is also the President of Fisher Phillips Safety Solutions, LLC.

Prior to joining Fisher Phillips, Ed was the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health named by President George W. Bush He served from April 2006 to November 2008. During his tenure at OSHA, workplace injury, illness and fatality rates dropped to their lowest levels in recorded history.

For more than 30 years, Ed has worked in the labor and employment area, focusing on occupational safety and health issues, workplace violence risk assessment and prevention, whistleblower protection, and accident and fatality prevention. He is recognized as one of the nation’s leading authorities on occupational safety and health and is a frequent keynote speaker and lecturer on workplace safety, leadership development, and other labor and employment topics.

Ed has testified before the U.S. Senate and U.S. House Congressional Committees on occupational safety and health issues and appeared on CBS “60 Minutes”

He also served on the OSHA Review Commission in Washington, D.C., chairing the Commission from March 1990 to February 1994. Ed is the only person in the United States to serve as both head of OSHA and Chairman of the Review Commission. Ed was named one of the “”50 Most Influential EHS Leaders”” by both EHS Today (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013) and Occupational Hazards (2008) magazines.

Ed currently serves on the EHS Today Safety Leadership Board of Directors and on safety committees for the Georgia Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. Poultry Association, , the National Association of Tower Erectors, and the American Foundry Association.

Max Fulton focuses on driving positive change to unlock human potential. Mr. Fulton is currently a Senior Director at Alvarez & Marsal. He focuses on Interim CFO roles and leads the CFO Services Training Committee.

Mr. Fulton was previously the CEO of Gordon Sign Company and Radio360. Prior to this, Max built his career helping troubled companies navigate restructuring or bankruptcy processes. By assuming interim operational roles within struggling companies, Max was instrumental in increasing value, which led to several successful emergences or acquisitions. He has visualized the future of companies and potential investments during critical stages of the business cycle and operated business from start-ups to 100 year old entities. Mr. Fulton started his career with PriceWaterhouseCoopers in consulting and later joined Alvarez & Marsal, where he developed his operational experience.

Mr. Fulton has significant experience leading organizations and implementing change. He also has experience developing negotiation strategies, financial forecasts, performance improvement plans, operational restructuring, offering memorandums, simplification plans, strategic alternatives and business plans. He continually surrounds himself with successful people and enjoys leading and contributing to high-performing teams.

Mr. Fulton received a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from the University of Denver (DU). He received the Pioneer Award while attending DU for his leadership and making a significant contribution to the campus community. He holds two patents (one pending). He has held the following designations: Certified Distressed Business Valuation (CDBV), Certified Turnaround Professional (CTP) and Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor (CIRA). He serves on the Mountain Goat Kids board and has helped Sacred Heart House, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Denver Founder’s Network, Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity and Food Bank of the Rockies. Recently, Mr. Fulton has developed exercise and fitness products for kids (XtremeStax) primarily used in physical education classes. Mr. Fulton has also served as a RAD Ambassador since 2013, exemplifying how people can remain more active though RAD’s self-myofascial release products and educational platform.

Nazir has worked at UL Solutions for over 22 years and is based in Fremont, CA. He has a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MS in Engineering with emphasis in Battery Technology. Functioning as both a Regional Lead Engineer (RLR, L4) in Electric Sign categories (UL 48) and a Reviewer Engineer (L3) in multiple lighting categories (e.g., UL 48, UL 879, UL 1598, UL 2108, UL 8750), Nazir provides technical support in signage-related categories to engineers and sales staff across the globe. He travels nationally and internationally to provide technical and advisory support to both clients and colleagues.

John is an accredited small business consultant with the AASBC, past Board member with the California Sign Association, and contributing Author to various trade magazines.
Prior to founding Oculus, John led his own sign manufacturing company for more than 35 years. He’s taken the knowledge and best practices from that experience to helping other shop owners to do the same.
Currently with Oculus Business Solutions John helps Sign Shop owners take their companies to the next level through LEAN implementation processes designed to improve throughput, lead time and profitability.

Mark Hahn is the Senior Managing Director and the founder of Graphic Arts Advisors, a national M&A advisory and consulting firm focused exclusively on the printing, packaging, mailing, marketing services, and related graphic communications industries. With more than 40 years of graphic communications experience in the areas of finance, operations, sales, M&A, and general management, Mark has served as chief financial officer, chief operating officer and other senior positions with several commercial printing companies, as well as founding and eventually selling his own printing company.

Mark and his partners at GAA assist company owners and management, as well as their lenders, investors, and other stakeholders in the following areas: mergers & acquisitions, business valuations, challenging situations & financing, strategic counsel & advisory and expert analysis & opinions. Mark is the author of The Target Report, a well-respected monthly analysis of macro-trends in the printing and packaging industries and the only dedicated M&A transactional database for the graphic arts industry. Mark is regularly published and quoted in printing industry trade and management journals and is a frequent invited guest speaker at printing industry events.

Jim Hanson is the Director of Production for Daktronics, a role he’s held since 2014.

Jim is responsible for leading teams that support many of Daktronics US factories and the European factory located in Ireland. He regularly meets with Business Unit leaders to develop and prioritize strategic initiatives. Included in his responsibilities are Lean Manufacturing, Environmental, Health and Safety and Worldwide Facilities.

Prior to taking on the role of Director of Production, Jim was the Plant Manager for the Daktronics factory located in Redwood Falls, MN for six years. He was an advocate for lean manufacturing and developing future leaders through solving problems and promoting continuous improvement.

In addition to his management roles, Jim has also led manufacturing engineering teams and began his career as a process engineer after graduating with a Mechanical Engineering degree from North Dakota State University. All totaled, Jim has 27 years of experience in manufacturing and the associated support areas.

Outside of work, Jim’s hobbies include hiking, mountain biking, home improvement projects and detailing cars.

Since growing up in his family’s boating business to founding his company CMI, Bruce Hodes has dedicated his career to helping companies grow by developing executive leadership teams, business leaders and executives into powerful performers. Bruce’s adaptable Breakthrough Strategic Business Planning methodology is specifically designed for small-to-mid-sized company challenges. In February of 2012 Bruce published his first book Front Line Heroes: How to Battle the Business Tsunami by Developing Performance Oriented Cultures. With a background in psychotherapy, Hodes also has an MBA from Northwestern University and a Masters in Clinical Social Work. More info: bhodes@cmiteamwork.com, 708-383-7970, www.cmiteamwork.com To access Bruce Hodes speaking video, click here.

After being a co-founder of a billion-dollar national manufacturing and research company, Glaxo, he retired in 1991 and formed his own company, Wilmington Quality Associates. With degrees in chemistry and mathematics and an MBA in marketing from Xavier University, he specializes in highly successful business management implementation. His focus is on helping companies improve competitive performance by teaching effective leadership skills, improving company image, developing highly motivated employees and creating delighted customers. He was Chairman of the Board for a North Carolina Bank and is currently on the Board of Directors for Blue Ridge Community College and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee. He speaks to 10-15 conventions and educational conferences a year as a keynote speaker and breakout session presenter on business management topics. Tom has written several nationally published novels, including a high adventure mystery novel called Incident at Cat Island;an international mystery thriller called The Andros Connection;and a foreign intrigue crime thriller called Appointment at Crooked Island. He is a licensed pilot, a retired Commander in the US Navy, an accomplished recorder player, and has sailed a 38-foot ketch across the Atlantic to Europe. And until recently, he raised llamas on a farm in North Carolina.

Babu Khalfan is the founder of Signs & Decal, a business producing high-end architectural signage in New York City. Born and raised in Madagascar, Babu started his career in Tanzania before moving to New York City, where he launched Signs & Decal in 1970 along with his wife, Tazzim. Now, Signs & Decal is one of the biggest sign companies in the city.

Over the last 47 years, Signs & Decal has boomed. Its work has appeared in high-profile projects across the city such as the World Trade Tower, JFK Airport, La Guardia, Bank of America Towers, Penn Station, Grand Central Station, Hudson Yard Project, and many others. Since producing architectural signage is highly complex and detail-oriented work, it requires careful thought and long-term planning. Babu has produced a lot of fascinating work for the transportation business, such as work for the George Washington Bridge, as well as for over two hundred Amtrak stations across the country.

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Mr. Lew is the Executive Vice President at Lauretano Sign Group (LSG). In this position, Mr. Lew has overall responsibility for the company’s Global Operations. He oversees the departments of Design, Estimating, Project Management, Production, Installation and Service as well as outsourcing, new product development and overseas partners. Prior to joining LSG, Mr. Lew served as Vice President and General Manager of Business Technology Management Inc. – an international business management consulting firm. He has over twenty-five years’ experience in leading business improvement programs and is an expert in analyzing business processes and implementing advanced process management models. Over the years, Mr. Lew worked with a broad spectrum of industries around the globe from aerospace and defense to medical devices, automotive parts, electronic components, airlines, hospitals, food products, apparel and more. In addition, Mr. Lew was the founder and President of three start-up companies.
Mr. Lew holds a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering and an Executive Business Management certification. Mr. Lew was awarded several patents and trademarks. He is a frequent guest speaker at various industry forums, academic institutions, and business owners’ gatherings.

As the On Premise Market Manager for Daktronics, Taylor Nilson is involved in a wide range of activities from product development and production to marketing and sales. He draws on his 17 years of experience with Daktronics, including 13 years in the Services department to enrich customer experiences with Daktronics products and services.

His background in Service for a diverse customer base gives him a broader perspective on how to best to work with every customer, from the very beginning of the relationship. In fact, Taylor believes the sheer breadth of the Daktronics customer base is an essential part of Daktronics core strength. Providing the best customer support through every phase of the relationship is crucial to mutual success.

Taylor’s wife Eryn also works for Daktronics as a Human Resources professional, and they have a young son. When Taylor isn’t working at Daktronics, he enjoys working on home projects, weightlifting and fitness activities, and gaming.

Justin began his careeer 1996 in New York City and was a free lance installer where he specialized in walls, floors, windows and primarily vehicles. In 2007, moved to Amsterdam, the Netherlands and shortly thereafter began training full time. He launched the first DVD instructional set for wrapping and created the Avery Dennison North American training and certification program in 2010 which he continues to be the head trainer. In 2014, Justin launched his streaming video platform – The Wrap Institute. TWI has over 2700 videos at over 700 hours. The video library covers all aspects of installation techniques: cars, walls, windows, tinting, floors, electronics and much more. Additionally, Justin gives trainings and demos across the world for leading manufacturers and organizations.
When Justin is done for the day he happily spends his time with his wife Beertje and daughter Tigerlily.

Alex Perry is the CEO of Right Way Signs, LLC in based in Chicago, IL. Alex has over 20+ years experience in the sign industry as a business owner on top of 8 years of experience working for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the states largest business association. In his role with the Chamber, he worked with businesses of all sizes and engaging them in public policy issues from workers compensation reform, healthcare policy, infrastructure policy and policy issues that impacted small businesses. Starting in 2015 Alex teamed up with business leaders to champion sign permit reform in Chicago, leading to the passage of new sign ordinances in 2021. For over 20 years Alex has worked with municipalities on making small changes to their sign codes that help the businesses in their communities. In 2004 Alex was appointed by the Mayor of Evanston to the Sign Review and Appeals Board and in 2018 Alex was named the first ever Sign Code Champion by the International Sign Association.

Kenny Peskin is the Director of Industry Programs for the International Sign Association. Kenny helps represent
the on-premises sign industry in developing technical standards and responding to code issues across the country. As part of his work, he regularly meets with city officials, appears at public hearings, files written comments on draft ordinances, and speaks
on sign-related issues. Kenny serves on the NFPA 70 National Electric Code Code-Making Panel 18, the International Code Council A117.1 Consensus Committee on Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, Underwriters Laboratories’ Standards Technical Panel
48 for Electric Signs, and cochairs the Underwriters Laboratories Sign Industry Business Panel. Kenny grew up in the sign industry, as his family manufactured custom electric signs in Youngstown, Ohio for nearly 100 years. Before joining ISA, he worked for
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, handling federal regulatory and environmental issues.

Kevin Poland is the founder and President of The Renaissance Group, a management consulting and coaching company that provides advice and guidance to business owners who are ready to build a great business and live a great life.
Certified as a Senior E-Myth Consultant, Kevin uses this specialized training to help small business owners design and grow businesses that work for them, rather than because of them. He speaks regularly on the topic of business growth strategies and how to solve other challenges that are unique to owner operated businesses.
Kevin has over twenty years of strategic business leadership experience. He holds a MS in Engineering Management and a BS in Industrial Engineering. Prior to starting The Renaissance Group, his previous business experience was working with large corporations in the areas of Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Management, Operations, Production Planning and Strategic Planning.

Enthusiastic, educated and experienced business practitioner. Over 20 years in the sign industry helping to run a business and keep people productive and happy!
Executive MBA graduate with 15 years teaching management courses in the MBA School in Boston, MA. Gerry loves to engage people in her talks so be prepared to participate.

Kelly Radomski is Vice-President – Client Solutions at Compass Business Solutions where she leads the OD offerings of the organization. Her expertise includes training and development, strategic organizational development, DEI, executive coaching, performance management, and employee engagement.

Jim Raffel is a color management consultant who also serves as CEO of ColorCasters, LLC and ColorMetrix Technologies, LLC. As a veteran of the printing industry and a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology’s acclaimed printing management program, in 1995 he formed ColorMetrix to bring an idea he had to make color measurement and evaluation easier by creating easy-to-use software solutions. Today as a certified G7 Expert and Instructor for the Color Management Professional program, his consulting practice focuses on dye sublimation and flat-bed UV inkjet printing. This work keeps him on the road many weeks each year working with end users and manufacturers to improve their color management processes.

Graduate Industrial engineer, MBA with more than 35 years experience in the area of Engineering, manufacturing, and company management

Jen has been in the sign industry for 20+ years. 15 of those years were spent with two national sign companies immersed in the permitting world with a focus on the installation and close-out inspection process.

In 2017, Jen founded GoPermit when she saw an immense need within the sign industry for experienced permit expeditors that have an intimate understanding of the process from start to finish. Jen looks forward to bringing an educational focus to her employees, client relationships, and municipal staff, in turn, helping the industry continue to grow.

Mark has been in the sign and print market for over 35 years. His focus has been on training & education for individual shops and companies. He has conducted hundreds of live seminars and webinars on topics including, color management, FlexiSIGN, wide format printing and more. He is the author of numerous online courses as well as DVDs and videos used by companies & individuals aorund the world.

Indu Sanka is an entrepreneur, business consultant and a very successful business owner well recognized among women business owners community. She won many prestigious awards from Women’s Business Council for her efforts in building strategic partnerships among women and minority owned enterprises for growing together. She is one of Dallas Business Journal 40 under 40 recipients for 2022. She is the president and CEO of FSGS Your Trusted Sign Partner, a graphics and custom sign manufacturing company serving commercial and multifamily properties all over Texas. She is the valedictorian of her professional MBA class and a recent graduate of the GS 10KSB program. She has 12 years of corporate experience doing business consulting for several prestigious companies including Southwest Airlines most recently, before starting to run her own company. She lives with her husband and is a proud mom of two wonderful kids.
Indu Sanka grew up and completed her undergrad in engineering in India. She has successfully steered through the challenges of building her own identity being a minority while balancing her audacious career goals with a demanding family life. She calls herself a continuous learner and a continuous improvement freak.

Shelby Sapusek is a color management consultant who also serves as CMO of ColorCasters, LLC. She grew up in the newspaper industry;working primarily in graphic design and pre-press. In her editor capacity, she was responsible for the print and color quality of several newspapers around the country. In 2011 after 17 years in the newspaper industry, she joined fellow instructor Jim Raffel in his company ColorMetrix and later co-founded ColorCasters. Today, she works with graphic designers, end users and manufacturers in the print industry to improve their color management skills.

Joseph Wages, Jr., is the Digital Education Director at IAEI. Previously he has held the positions of Technical Advisor, Education, Codes and Standards and Seminar Coordinator at IAEI. He represents IAEI on NFPA™s NEC Code Making Panel-2 for the 2020 and 2023 NEC code cycles. He previously represented IAEI on NFPA™s NEC Code Making Panel-3 for the 2014 and 2017 NEC. He serves on the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Electrical Council and on several UL Technical Standard Panels. Joseph continues to hold state electrical licenses and several IAEI and ICC building related certifications.

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Deacon Wardlow is a speaker, author, and innovationista. Co-director of Spectacular Media, Co-owner of Vantage LED (a 100% Employee owned & operated company), and Founder of FiSimply Consulting. Certified Global Business and Trade specialist with 20+ years of experience delivering disruptive technology, change management, leadership training, digital signage, and tech integration.