In Memoriam: CSA Director Emeritus, Mark Gastineau
Remembering Mark Gastineau
November 7, 1956 – August 23, 2019
Mark Dana Gastineau (pictured right) suffered a heart attack on August 23 and passed suddenly, with his wife Loreen by his side. This was only a few days after his hearty laugh and thoughtful contributions were part of the California Sign Association’s Annual Convention and Educational Conference in Lincoln, CA. To say that Mark was an icon of the sign industry is an understatement. There is no question in anyone’s mind that he put 110% into every endeavor, whether it was fighting onerous sign codes, camping and hunting with friends, or presenting a case to any one of a dozen city councils across California.
CSA members are still coming to grips with the loss. Association Executive Director, Roy Flahive, says, “Mark was greatly respected for his tireless work on behalf of the association on so many issues and activities. To say Mark was our go-to guy on our Government Affairs Committee is an understatement. He was the one anyone nationwide would call for California government affairs issues. As the co-chair of that committee for the last 25 years, Mark helped guide the direction of CSA with one of our most important endeavors – managing government and legal affairs in the most populous state in the nation.”
Mark lived life to the fullest. He worked for Young Electric Sign Company from 1975 until 2005, and was with Arrow Sign Company from 2006 until his passing. His energy devoted to the advancement of the sign industry creates a legacy that is hard to match. In his volunteer roles:
He was a two-time past president of the California Sign Association
He served on the CSA Board of Directors for the last 27 years.
He was elevated to the prestigious and important position of CSA Director Emeritus in 2014, by a unanimous vote of the current Board of Directors.
He received numerous Awards from the Sign Associations; for his outstanding leadership, dedication, and service to the industry.
Mark was recognized for his work representing the sign industry with the California Energy Commission (CEC).
Mark also served on the International Sign Association’s very important and influential Affiliated Associations Council Steering Committee, for the years 2013-2014.
His colleagues on the CSA Board of Directors express what Mark meant to them:
“Mark was an incredible man and a leader in our beloved industry.”
“We have lost one of the greats, not only in the industry, but as a friend to all of us. People like Mark come along so rarely. He will truly be missed.”
“I always looked up to Mark…His knowledge and understanding in our industry is unsurpassed. I will miss Mark dearly. His dedication to CSA in unmatched.”
He is survived by his wife Loreen; Sisters Cindy Shelton (John) and Stacy Eddings (Jeff); Sisters-in-Law Diane Newton, Sherril Willis, Brenda Gastineau and Cheri Johnson; Brother-in-law Ed Willis; Rodney and his wife Lois; Father-in-law Maury Simonsen; Father-in-law David Willis (Sally) and Mother-in-law Roselind Silver; Mama Heier and the entire Heier family; many nieces and nephews; Best Dog-Duke; and best friend forever from 2nd grade Eddie Gutzman.
A Celebration of Life event will be held at 1:00 PM, 9/19/19 at the Elks Lodge, 6446 Riverside Blvd. in Sacramento.
Teresa M. Young has been a consultant to entrepreneurs since 1986, in both retail and B2B sectors. In 1991, she became President of Sign Biz, Inc., a full-service business development company. Young sits on multiple boards, including as Past Chairwoman of both the International Sign Association (ISA) and California Sign Association. She is an accomplished code writer, web developer and contributor to the Git Repository. Young is also an in-demand speaker, engaging business owners with topical and powerful business insights and strategies in support of best business practices and modern marketing strategies under her MintyWorks and Coffee with T brands. 200 click-and-mortar enterprises were established under the Sign Biz business model with more than $19,000,000 worth of SBA-backed funding for these businesses.