Top Journalists in Sign Shops
Mark Kissling Signs of the Times
Editor-in-Chief of Signs of the Times, leading the brand’s news, surveys, awards, and shop-focused guidance since 2016 (EIC since 2021). Specialties: Sign industry news and trends; editorial strategy; research-driven features (e.g., annual Big Survey); business-of-signs coverage.
Mildred Nguyen Signs of the Times
Assistant Editor at Signs of the Times (joined 2024); writes features, award packages, and shop profiles for the core sign-making audience. Specialties: Feature writing; awards and contests (e.g., Sign Contest); profiles of sign shops; women-in-signs coverage.
Paula Fargo Signs of the Times
Regular online columnist at Signs of the Times whose practical series for shop owners covers marketing, process improvement, and paths to sell or transition a sign company. Specialties: Selling a sign business; shop marketing; leadership and operations for sign companies.
Jameson Parker Signs of the Times
Production manager at North American Signs and a Signs of the Times columnist who writes shop-floor, fabrication, and technology pieces for sign pros. Specialties: Fabrication strategy; LEDs and lighting; shop technology and throughput; operations.
Maggie Harlow Signs of the Times
‘Business of Signs’ columnist and CEO of Signarama Downtown Louisville; writes monthly management advice grounded in day-to-day shop leadership. Specialties: Business-of-signs leadership; sales and management; client service; staffing and culture.
Dale Salamacha Signs of the Times
Longtime Signs of the Times columnist and Media 1/Wrap This! co-owner who shares hands-on shop-operations playbooks and project breakdowns. Specialties: Shop operations; wraps; large custom fabrication; growth strategy for full-service shops.
Heidi Tillmanns Signs of the Times
Signs of the Times leadership columnist focusing on mentoring, staff development, and inclusive signage programs for sign shops. Specialties: Workforce and leadership; mentoring; accessibility and inclusion in signage; team development.
Eric E. Larsen Signs of the Times
Host of The Sign Industry Podcast and recurring columnist for Signs of the Times, bringing sign shop perspectives and practical tips to readers. Specialties: Shop-owner insights; industry interviews; trends across fabrication, materials, and installs.
Chris Morrison Signs of the Times
Chris Morrison is a recurring Signs of the Times columnist (often co-bylined with Kathi Morrison), offering shop-tested advice from running The Image Specialists. Specialties: Small-shop growth; workflow; client communication; graphics production tips.
Kathi Morrison Signs of the Times
Kathi Morrison co-writes columns for Signs of the Times, translating day-to-day sign shop experience into actionable guidance for peers. Specialties: Operations; customer service; production planning; SMB sign-shop best practices.
Alex Marcheschi Sign Builder Illustrated (SignShop.com)
Editor-in-Chief of Sign Builder Illustrated, steering practical how‑to content and shop-focused features for fabricators and installers. Specialties: How-to reporting; fabrication/installation tutorials; shop profiles; product and materials coverage.
Wendy Graves Sign Builder Illustrated (SignShop.com)
Correspondent for Sign Builder Illustrated who files how‑to features and field reports on shop processes and workforce development. Specialties: Field reporting from shops and events; sales vs. project management workflows; training and workforce topics.
Marcia Derryberry Big Picture
Editor-in-Chief of Big Picture; leads editorial on wide-format opportunities for sign and print providers and hosts the brand’s awards programs. Specialties: Wide-format applications (wraps, décor, exhibits); shop case studies; awards (Women in Wide Format, Best of Wide Format).
Chris Burslem Big Picture
Regular Big Picture contributor whose business columns are frequently cited by the brand and recognized in B2B journalism awards. Specialties: Business management for PSPs/sign shops; sales and leadership; mental health/productivity pieces for shop owners.
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Denise M. Gustavson Wide-Format Impressions
Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Director (Printing & Packaging Group) at NAPCO Media, overseeing Wide-Format Impressions’ coverage for PSPs and sign shops. Specialties: Editorial direction across printing/packaging; wide-format market coverage for print and sign providers.
Dan Marx Wide-Format Impressions
Content Director for Wide-Format Impressions with three decades of graphic communications expertise covering the display graphics/sign space. Specialties: Industry analysis; wide-format strategy; technology and application trends for display graphics providers.
Ashley Roberts Wide-Format Impressions
Managing Editor at Wide-Format Impressions, coordinating day-to-day coverage of equipment, media, and shop-growth stories. Specialties: Editorial management; product/application reporting; service provider success stories in wide-format signage.
Cassie Green Wide-Format Impressions
Senior Content Editor on NAPCO’s Printing & Packaging team, contributing to Wide-Format Impressions’ sign and display coverage. Specialties: Senior content editing across wide-format; application guides; business and technology briefs for PSPs and sign shops.
Melissa (Missy) Donovan Digital Output
Editor/writer at Digital Output whose wide-format coverage (e.g., State of the Industry, application profiles) serves sign shops and PSPs. Specialties: Wide-format industry reporting; State of the Industry; technology/product roundups for sign and print providers.
Richard Romano WhatTheyThink (Wide-Format & Signage)
Senior analyst/editor who leads WhatTheyThink’s Wide-Format & Signage coverage, including daily news and technology outlook webinars for the sign community. Specialties: Wide-format & signage market news; event coverage (ISA Sign Expo, FESPA); vendor/product analysis for sign shops.
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