Duane Laska Tapped for Leadership of SRF

Duane Laska Tapped for Leadership of the Sign Research Foundation

Duane Laska, president and owner of North Shore Sign Co., in Libertyville, Illinois, has been named chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sign Research Foundation. The Sign Research Foundation is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to fulfilling the educational and research purposes of on-premise signage.

The Sign Research Foundation is committed to expanding the knowledge base on the use and benefits of signage products through peer-reviewed research to facilitate the operation within the marketplace by manufacturers, suppliers, and individuals in their efforts to design, build, and sell innovative products.

Laska has served in various leadership positions within the Sign Research Foundation, including Secretary-Treasurer, chairman of the Program Committee and chairman of the planning committee for the annual National Signage Research & Education Conference (NSREC).

He was responsible for initiating and championing the Foundation’s Internship Program. Laska successfully sponsored the first internship at North Shore Sign Company in 2010.

In addition to his service to the sign industry, Laska has served as an elected public official within his community for sixteen years including being elected to serve as Mayor.

Laska has also served the sign industry through his leadership within the International Sign Association (ISA) and World Sign Associates (WSA).

Ken Von Wald, outgoing SRF Board chairman noted, “[Laska’s] knowledge and expertise are tremendous assets to the sign industry. He brings a collaborative spirit which will serve the Foundation well as it seeks to link multiple disciplines and stakeholders together.”

The Board of Directors of the Sign Research Foundation also elected Joe Rickman as Vice Chairman/President and Ken Von Wald as Secretary-Treasurer. These officers rely heavily on the vast scope of work performed by standing committees and volunteers: Research Committee chaired by Mike Kesti of 3M; Fundraising Committee chaired by Ken Von Wald of Denco Sales; Program Committee chaired by Duane Laska of North Shore Sign Company; Strategic Outreach Committee chaired by Joe Rickman of Atlantic Sign Media; and the Communications Committee chaired by Wade Swormstedt of ST Media Group.