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About Us

Have you ever needed some custom signage made, only to feel underwhelmed with the results? Well, my manufacturing company, Surely Signs, uses the most advanced technology and materials to quickly create “works-of-art” so the messages of our clients start generating new sales right away.

Advanced Technology: We use solvent-free ink that is not only good for the environment, but it penetrates the substrate more evenly than solvent-based ink, so fewer passes of the printer heads are needed to achieve full saturation. Our printers are also equipped with a convection heating system that enables our graphics to be handled, and even laminated, immediately upon creation while our competitors need to let theirs dry for up to 24 hours.

Our Color Management System is the best in the Process Printing industry. We use the same portable device (colorimeter) that we use to calibrate our design computer monitors and printers to match your desired color.

We print on wraps & coverings that require Active Pressure before they adhere which significantly reduces the time to install. We use Floor Covering laminates specially made to prevent skidding so floors are safer for customers to walk on after the floor graphic is laid down.

History

Surely Signs has deep roots. Randy’s mother, Shirley, was a commercial artist and sign painter for 60 years, painting under her company name of “Shirley Studios” in Peoria, IL and Pleasanton, CA. She specialized in banners, wall murals, window graphics, and vehicles wraps. She was a noted artist who published several books and painted many trucks for the circuses that would pass through town.

Although Randy grew up around sign-making, he went in a slightly different direction – obtaining his degree in electrical engineering and working for a company that makes the printers & plotters that produce many signs today! Randy spent 23 years in a variety of leadership positions for that company, including R&D, Training, Technical Support, and Customer Service Operations.

When the opportunity arose to start his own sign manufacturing company, Randy eagerly jumped at the chance to bring joy to several customer bases while utilizing his decades of experience of leading customer service and support organizations. He pays homage to his mom’s influence by choosing “Surely Signs” as the company name.

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MEET THE TEAM

Randy Rice – President & Sales Leader.

Randy recently stepped away from a 30 year career leading Customer Service, Operations and Technical Support Divisions for major companies such as Océ-Canon, Baxter, Young Innovations, and IDEX. Although he graduated Suma cum Laude from San Jose State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering, his passion is for people and feeding his “creative side”. In his spare time, Randy enjoys all kinds of sports, music, and theatre and serves on the Board of Directors for the Kirk Players Community Theatre group in Mundelein, IL.

Zhavon Lee – Graphic Designer & Lead Sign Technician.

Zhavon is a graduate of Western Illinois University where he studied broadcast communications as well as graphic communications. He brings a wide range of skills to our team and is a very creative individual. Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator are Zhavon’s favorite applications, and he can create almost anything you could imagine. In his free time, Zhavon makes digital artwork and custom apparel for artists, musicians, entrepreneurs and local businesses. When he isn’t working, He loves spending time with his family, while relaxing and watching sports.

Lisa Soare – Business Development.

Lisa comes to us with more than 20 years of experience on both sides of the “aisle,” having worked in both publishing and corporate communications. She brings her eagle eye and a strong sense of brand and messaging to every job. In her spare time, Lisa believes in giving back to the community through local organizations. She currently fosters rescue dogs and has been involved in community theatre for more than 10 years.

Rosemary Monahan - Manager HR, Learning, and Process Improvement.

Rosemary has held senior leadership roles focusing on human capital management, career development and leadership enhancement. She is a Career Management Fellow (CMF) through the Institute of Career Certification International (ICCI), and is certified in Leadership Effectiveness Assessment (LEA) and the Myers-Briggs (MBTI). She is passionate about coaching people to realize their dreams and optimize their potential and loves working with new entrepreneurs to help them hone their business acumen and grow their business. In her spare time she enjoys performing in Community Theater, improv, choral singing, facilitating caregiver support groups and working crossword puzzles—in ink!