Sign Research Foundation Chair Presented Maury Ely Lifetime Achievement Award
Washington, DC, October 12, 2016 – Duane Laska, chairman of Sign Research Foundation’s Board of Trustees, was presented with the Maury Ely Lifetime Achievement Award by the Illinois Sign Association.
The Maury Ely award is presented annually to an individual who has made meaningful and meritorious contributions to both the association and the industry.
Laska is president and owner of North Shore Sign Co., in Libertyville, Ill., and has served in various leadership positions with Sign Research Foundation, including chairman of the board, 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 and sponsored the first internship in 2010. He also has served as the 2010 chairman of the board of International Sign Association (ISA) and in leadership positions with World Sign Associates (WSA), and the Foundation for the Advancement of the Sign Industry (FASI).
“His leadership of Sign Research Foundation pulled us into innovative new territory,” said Sapna Budev, Sign Research Foundation’s executive director. “He puts all his energy into his sign company, his community, his association and his foundation and is always generous with his time and acumen. He is most deserving of this honor and I’m grateful to have had his leadership for so many years.”
In addition to his work in the sign industry, Laska has served his community as an elected official, including two terms as the Mayor of Libertyville.
“I love what I do, and truly love the industry,” Laska said. “What is special about this award is that it comes from your peers, the people you work with, and even compete with.”
And it was especially meaningful, he said, to be in such good company: his late father Vic was presented with the award in 1987.
