In her new role, Amy will manage all internal and external EGD project timelines as well as oversee quality control for the department. Additionally, Amy will be tasked with evolving the standard operating procedures within the department to better support client needs.

“We are excited to elevate our approach and demonstrate increased responsiveness to clients’ needs through the expansion of our EGD Studio,” said Jamie Harden, President and CEO at Creative Sign Designs. “This expansion, supported by Amy’s experience and expertise, is going to enhance our clients’ creative visions – by bringing streamlined processes and technologies to the forefront, capitalizing on all opportunities to feature client originality.”

The Environmental Graphic Design Studio exists to bring each client’s vision to life in a way that enhances the visitors’ experience: leaving a positive, lasting impression. The studio was created in 2018 and has since worked on projects like Feeding Tampa Bay, USF Honors College, Hewanorra International Airport and Renata at Lakewood Ranch. Having an EGD studio in-house has allowed CSD to streamline the design process, particularly during the initial phases of a project.

Alongside the hiring of Amy, Alicia Hanson, is transitioning into a new role as EGD Studio Creative Lead. Alicia is a 25-year EGD veteran and will provide creative direction for the studio moving forward: overseeing all aspects of the design process from Concept Creation to Design Development. In addition, Alicia will be responsible for developing and maintaining the vision for the studio, ensuring all projects are aligned with client’s overall aesthetic and brand identity.

“During her time with us, Alicia has already demonstrated an unmatched ability to bring creative visions to life,” said Adam Wold, Director of Project Development at Creative Sign Designs. “We look forward to her continued growth here and are excited to see the new projects she touches in the studio.”

In her efforts, Alicia will also support Amy to ensure quality control across all EGD Studio output. Both Alicia and Amy will report to our Director of Project Development.

To meet the EGD team and learn more about our capabilities and work, please contact Creative Sign Designs.

“Josh joins us with a wealth of knowledge in his field, and I know he will be a true asset to our company,” said Jamie Harden, President and CEO of Creative Sign Designs. “Our last CFO was with the company nearly two decades, and we expect Josh will create another long-time employee in this position.”

Josh comes to Creative Sign Designs from Ball Corporation, where he rose in the ranks from the Plant Accountant to Regional Controller until he transitioned to SteriPack Medical Contract Manufacturing as the U.S. Director of Finance. He has also been greatly involved with Trax Credit Union for more than 10 years and currently serves as the Vice Chairman. At Creative Sign Designs, Josh will handle the strategic financial management of the company through managing the following: Financial Reporting Analysis, Treasury Management, Mergers and Acquisitions activity, Banking and Investor relations and Audit/Tax.

The last time a CFO role was open at Creative Sign Designs was 18 years ago, before Paul Wilbur sat in the position. As CAO Paul will continue to play an integral role on the executive leadership team, helping steer the strategic vision of company operations.

“The CFO role here has always been critical,” said Harden. “We truly rely on this individual to advocate for the financial well-being of our company while keeping us in line with budgets and capital planning, supporting our sales and operations teammates while ensuring the overall fiscal health of Creative Sign Designs. We know Josh will provide a solid and dependable discernment of the financial operations of our company.”

Josh joins a highly experienced, tenured and successful executive team at Creative Sign Designs and will work alongside the support of Heritage Growth Partners, an Atlanta based family office that partnered with Creative Sign Designs in 2021.

The purpose of the recapitalization is to support our growing operations, enable expansion of our capabilities, and fund future acquisitions. The partnership with Heritage Growth allows Larry Morgan, an investor and partner in the business since 2005, to focus efforts on his expanding auto dealership business, Morgan Auto Group.

“We are elated to enter this next phase of our growth and thank Larry Morgan for his longstanding and continuing support of our growth objectives,” said Jamie Harden, Chief Executive Officer of Creative. “In addition to capital, Heritage Growth brings strategic relationships and acquisition expertise which will help us reach our true potential. We look forward to accelerating our growth organically as well as expanding the business through selective acquisitions that bolster our capabilities and broaden our reach.”

Heritage Growth Managing Partner, Alex Mammen, who has joined the Board of Creative, added, “We are excited to partner with Jamie and the entire Creative team to help them reach their growth objectives and better serve their expanding client base. From the onset, we have been impressed by the culture, values, and leadership of the Creative team and their impressive roster of projects which includes a number of high-profile clients in the transportation, industrial, hospitality, multi-family, healthcare and education sectors.”

“Driven by differentiated design, a highly capable and experienced project management team and an impressive in-house manufacturing platform, Creative checks all of the boxes not just for its clients but for us as investment partners,” said Evan Toporek, Partner at Heritage Growth, who also joined the Board of Creative as part of the recapitalization. “We look forward to helping Creative further establish itself as an industry leader.”

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce envisions an engaged and inclusive community-driven by business prosperity. As the incoming Chair, Jamie is focused on a number of key initiatives:

• Partnering with various community stakeholders to effectively launch the new transportation initiative that voters approved for Hillsborough County.
• Expanding our Education Connection/Workforce development program.
• Forming an affordable housing caucus.
• Looking for long-term, sustainable solutions for the Hillsborough County school system’s needs.
• Continuing to support the Tampa Bay Rays staying in Tampa Bay.
• Finding new and better ways to incorporate our military into the Tampa Bay business community.
• Growing/scaling our Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) effort.

While leading Creative Sign Designs for over 13 years, Jamie has become immensely involved with numerous community and business associations in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. He was previously the chairman of the CEO Council of Tampa Bay, a member of the Board of Governors for The Florida State University College of Business, Treasurer of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) Florida Chapter as well as an honorary commander for the 927th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base.

Jamie looks forward to furthering the Chamber’s mission to serve its members and enhance our community by building business success.