White has been overseeing Signs Now since Allegra Network acquired the company last year. Signs Now staff members continue to support its more than 200 sign franchise members from its headquarters in Sarasota, Florida. White and his family plan to relocate to Sarasota in the near future, but he will retain his involvement in key corporate and print division programs as executive vice president and member of the Allegra Network management team. He will also remain part of Allegra Network’s investor group, led by Chairman and CEO William McIntyre.

 Carl Gerhardt, Allegra Network president commented, “This appointment demonstrates our commitment to the future of Signs Now and our intent to grow both our sign and print divisions. Steve is a key member of the management team and shareholder group. We are confident his expertise and great leadership will enhance the value of the support Signs Now franchise members receive. At the same time, his leadership will foster even greater cross-over synergies among our sign and print divisions as digital technologies continue to emerge, significantly benefiting all franchise members.”

Founded in 1983, the Signs Now service base includes multiple solutions and digital imaging for outdoor and indoor signage, exhibit and vehicle graphics, magnetic signs, banners, window graphics, ADA signage, dimensional letters, directional systems and other visual communications tools to businesses worldwide. Signs Now grossed over $75 million in sales in 2005.

In keeping with industry trends, more than 150 Signs Now locations now offer large format digital services to their customers. These franchise locations have taken advantage of the sophisticated digital technologies that continue to emerge in the graphic arts industry, enhancing the services provided to their customers.  

Diversification into large format printing (signs and banners) is also one of Allegra Network’s key growth strategies for its primary print brands: Allegra Print & Imaging, American Speedy Printing Centers and Insty-Prints. The company officially launched its large format support program to help franchise members enter the value-added service at its convention last year. Today more than 70 franchise members from the print division already offer large format services to their customers.

White commented, “I am very excited about this opportunity to contribute to the growth of both divisions through this new role. I look forward to working with our sign and print franchise members to take their businesses to the next level. Signs Now franchise members have already embraced our Profit Mastery program, which is unique to both the graphics arts and franchising industries.” Allegra Network expects participation in its first Signs Now Operating Ratio Study to exceed 50% this year. White continued, “In addition, both divisions have already benefited from shared access to technology and marketing expertise as well as enhanced supplier partnerships. We expect more than 160 suppliers to participate in our first joint convention for both divisions this September. This number has significantly increased from the exhibitors who participated in our print and sign divisions’ conventions last year.”

White’s knowledge and expertise as a leader in both the print and franchising industries will help leverage these supplier relationships and resources on a larger scale as the company supports its franchise members in pursuit of greater share of the large format market. In addition his comprehensive experience overseeing the print support areas of marketing, field operations and communication will greatly impact the sharing of knowledge among the two divisions. 

Since joining Allegra Network in 1994, White launched the company’s Professional Selling System for outside sales consultants, created and oversees an internal marketing group which today consists of ten staff members to help franchise members grow their business through marketing, sales and public relations initiatives and expanded Allegra Network company’s regional support team to more than 10 staff members.

In addition he increased franchise member participation in the company’s Profit Mastery program to 50%, oversees the execution of the company’s international conventions and trade shows and franchise advisory councils. White’s prior experiences include more than five years at Domino’s Pizza in its Ann Arbor headquarters and six years as a United States Army officer.