In Memoriam: Gene Owens
Gene H. Owens July 21, 1957 – February 10, 2023
It is with heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of Gene Owens on February 10, 23. Gene spent the last week of his life in the hospital surrounded by family, and passed away peacefully.
Gene served on the CSA Board of Directors from September of 2016 through August of 2021. His board seat opened when he took retirement from United Sign Systems in Modesto, CA, where he had worked for many years. Prior to this, he worked at Sign Designs in Modesto.
Please keep Gene, his family, and his friends in your thoughts and prayers. For those of you who are interested and available to attend Gene’s Celebration of Life, it will be held at 11:00 AM on March 4th, 2023 at the Shelter Cove Community Church, 4242 Coffee Road, Modesto, CA. The Celebration of Life begins at 11:00 AM and is followed by a luncheon. Click here for his full obituary.
Meeting & SoCal Dinner Gathering Recap
January 12th, the CSA Board of Directors met in Rancho Cucamonga, for a regularly scheduled board meeting. Many board members plus Jeff Aran, CSA Legal Counsel, Executive Director Roy Flahive, and Director of Member Services Cheryl Flahive were in attendance. The subject matter addressed at the meeting included Committee Reports, Membership Growth, and excitement over the recent developments with CSA’s Sign Training & Education Program Series “STEPS.”
Following the Board Meeting, and a brief recess with cold drinks in hand, thirty-five people sat down for a wonderful Italian dinner and networking at the Old Spaghetti Factory. The room was buzzing as all those in attendance enjoyed the comradery of fellow industry movers and shakers. Then attendees listened carefully as they were brought up-to-speed on the pending lawsuit pertaining to site plan services. Factors addressed were whether the plans are done in-house or through outsourcing, presented by Roy Flahive and Jeff Aran. In addition to receiving information on the site plan situation, legal and legislative topics were discussed, and updates to upcoming calendar events were outlined.
Southern CA Dinner Event March 16 2023
Injuries and Responsibilities!
Seminar: 3:30pm – 5:30pm
No Host Cocktails: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Dinner & Network: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
SEMINAR/WORKSHOP:
Safety in the workplace is a subject addressed regularly by CSA members; in the office, fabrication area, warehouse, and at an installation site. In March, you will have an opportunity to be updated on current regulations and recommended practices to help accomplish the following:
Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
Improve compliance with laws and regulations
Reduce costs, including significant reductions in workers’ compensation premiums
Enhance the social responsibility goals of employers & employees
Increase productivity and enhance overall business operations
Following the Seminar: Network & Dinner Presentation
Time for Good Food & Network!
Join us at 5:30pm for networking, followed by dinner and updates on CSA’s education & training “STEPS”, Title 24, and legislation/legal challenges facing the sign industry.
Join us March 16th, for an evening at its best!
Join us for Education / Network Opportunities / Dinner Presentations
We bring it to you, to transform the way you Design, Build, and Operate!
Northern CA Dinner Event March 9
Injuries and Responsibilities!
Seminar: 3:30pm – 5:30pm
No Host Cocktails: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Dinner & Network: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
SEMINAR/WORKSHOP:
Safety in the workplace is a subject addressed regularly by CSA members; in the office, fabrication area, warehouse, and at an installation site. In March, you will have an opportunity to be updated on current regulations and recommended practices to help accomplish the following:
Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
Improve compliance with laws and regulations
Reduce costs, including significant reductions in workers’ compensation premiums
Enhance the social responsibility goals of employers & employees
Increase productivity and enhance overall business operations
Following the Seminar: Network & Dinner Presentation
Time for Good Food & Network!
Join us at 5:30pm for networking, followed by dinner and updates on CSA’s education & training “STEPS”, Title 24, and legislation/legal challenges facing the sign industry.
Join us March 9th, for an evening at its best!
Join us for Education / Network Opportunities / Dinner Presentations
We bring it to you, to transform the way you Design, Build, and Operate!
WSSC-ISA Golf Tournament
We are excited to announce the WSSC / ISA Golf Tournament in Las Vegas! receding the ISA Sign Expo- Join us for a shotgun start at 1:00 PM on April 11th! Hosted at the Las Vegas Golf Club, only 7 miles from Mandalay Bay Convention Center! $165 per player includes and lunch, 2 drinks, 18 holes of play with a cart, range balls are included.
Message from the President
The past CSA year will be significantly remembered; in-spite of supply chain and work force challenges, due to the continued turbulence of the pandemic, “CSA Focus 2022” efforts of the 2021-22 CSA Officers and Directors helped navigate through these challenges.
With the support of various stakeholders including customers, industry partners, officials, and business leaders, our goal for the 2022-23 CSA year is to remain steadfast, charting a path forward with opportunities of growth and continued commitment to meeting the education needs of its members, as we “Continue to Focus in 2023.”
Pete Michelini
CSA President, 2022-23
New Year & New Experiences!
Site Plan Ban?
The California Sign Association is excited to announce the January 2023 meeting and presentation in Southern California!
Following the Board of Directors meeting at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Rancho Cucamonga on January 12th, plan on joining industry movers and shakers for the CSA Meeting and Presentation. Our networking begins at 5:15 with an hour of no-host cocktails, followed by dinner and exciting presentation!
If you conduct site surveys… or design a sketch for elevation … or submit for permits… or make a graphic rendering of a sign location…or a homeowner planning some addition in California. You MUST attend this seminar on January 12th! Join us at 5:15 for networking, followed by dinner and presentation from our exciting speaker, Ryan Crownholm! His “back story” is something you won’t soon forget, and the pending lawsuit his attorneys are fighting affects every part of our industry. Ryan started MySitePlan.com in 2013. The company has since created more than 40,000 site plan drawings. If you produce site plans for permits, the lawsuit filed by Mr. Crownholm against the California Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors affects YOU. Jeff Aran, CSA Attorney, will be on hand to address the issues and questions. BE HERE TO BE PREPARED.
A great opportunity for networking, industry updates, and terrific food & beverages – We look forward to seeing you!
Day at the Races — The Tradition Races On!
Thirty CSA members and staff attended the races on Nov. 18 at Del Mar Racetrack, located in Del Mar, California. CSA’s sponsored Fourth Race, a picture in the winner’s circle for two, and a fabulous buffet lunch, all were included in the CSA Event Package. Two from our group (CSA President; Pete Michelini, Sign Designs, and CSA Past President; Ken Person, YESCO) watched the race from the “winners circle”, then had their photo taken. Continue Reading
Our Lunch Meetings are Back!
CSA Seminars, Lunches, and Dinner Meetings are Back!
After 2½ years of scheduling, cancellations, and rescheduling, (Covid-19), CSA returned to Lodi, CA on October 26th, for a luncheon meeting at Wine & Roses. Members and guests began to arrive at 11 am – Seventeen people were in attendance for lunch and seminar that included, California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) updates, discussion on a Skilled & Trained Workforce (STW), and the latest information from CSA’s Sign Training & Education Program Series – STEPS. Continue Reading
LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Win-Win!
The pandemic notwithstanding, California legislators were busy this past summer proposing all sorts of legislation. Governor Gavin Newsom wrapped up the 2022 legislative session in October, signing 997 bills into law. He also vetoed 169 bills — two of which CSA opposed.
CSA traditionally tracks legislation that potentially affects signs and signage rights. This year, we lobbied against two bills in particular that raised concern: “The Arena Bill” and “The Lights Out Bill.”
Continue Reading