Our History
Founded by Wayne and Lynette Meece in 1991, the original home of Signs First Nashville was in a strip mall in Belle Meade. In 1996, the Meeces hired 16-year-old Tim Elizer for what was supposed to be a summer job. Tim quickly realized he had discovered an industry that allowed him to blend his fascination with technology with his love for art; and, he never left. After years spent learning all facets of the sign business, Tim achieved his goal of becoming the owner of Signs First Nashville. Fast forward to the present; Tim now leads a team of highly experienced sign fabricators and installers, graphic designers, vehicle wrap designers and installers, and project managers.
When asked how he feels about the journey of growing Signs First from a “mom and pop shop” to a business that handles local, national, and even international projects, Tim says, “It’s been wild. It’s been crazy. But, it’s also been fun. That’s what keeps me doing it. We’ve come a long way, but we’ve only just begun. We have an ever-growing group of fantastic people and several new cutting-edge technologies that will allow us to do amazing things in the future. I’m excited to see where we’ll be in 20 years, but I’ve really enjoyed the process of getting to where we are now. I’m very thankful for everything.”
Our Mission
To exceed client expectations by doing things the way they need to be done, not the way they’ve always been done.
Our Vision
We will elevate the industry and our community by exceeding client expectations in pursuit of individual, team and operational excellence.
Our Team
Clint Avalon
(Vice President)
Responsible For: Making sure the shop dog gets fed.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: It’s Miller time!
David Bethuy
Zi Biker Dude (General Manager)
Responsible For: Operations of the whole shop.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: Bikes.
G Scott Corey
Mouse Button Presser
(Vice President)
Responsible For: Creative director, graphic design, logo design, and the in house quasi-IT guy.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: I like flannel pants.
Tim Elizer
(President)
Responsible For: Keeping team morale up while leading Signs First to new heights.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: Passionate about life!
Mike Waggoner
The “You Do This, You Do That” Man
(Production Manager)
Responsible For: Coordinating and delegating specific jobs to the production staff, making sure deadlines are met, and scheduling installations.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: Will Work for Comic Books
Timothy Juday
Vinyl Surgeon
(Production Lead)
Responsible For: Making customers’ signs come to life while also creating an atmosphere that inspires a creative, honest, unique, and relationship-focused work environment.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: Married world’s most beautiful woman
Reid Welsh
Rico
(Project Manager)
Responsible For: Making sense of random ideas and putting together all thoughts to produce something.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: What I look like on the outside doesn’t make me cool, even though I have a majestic mullet and tattoos all over.
Rachel Mitchell
The Sugar Glider
(Production Artist)
Responsible For: Preparing art for client proofs, layout and design.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: Kitties n’ Beer!
Leslie Harcrow
The “I do this, I do that” Woman
(Production Associate/PrePress)
Responsible For: All around production of signs and prints and file prepping for print.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: Morning forecast: Slightly exhausted with 100% of needing coffee, followed by scattered sarcastic comments through the afternoon.
Zack Morgan
Professional Productioneer & Ingenious Installer
(Production Associate)
Responsible For: Creation and completion of signage, installation of car wraps, and outside installations.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: I like cheese.
Jason Talley
See Em Why Kay?
(Printer Operator)
Responsible For: I make the prints.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: I’ll be right with you.
Jonathan Annis
Jonathan of the house Annis, First of his name, King of the east side and the first of men, the waterer of plants, feeder of hummingbirds, protector of mothers, and lover of husband; The breaker of chains, and father of dogs.
(Project Manager)
Responsible For: Managing 1s and 0s
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: Heyyy can I pet your dog?
Leah Riek
The Pun Master
(Project Manager)
Responsible For: Keeping your project on target and using Zoolander quotes whenever possible.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: Hello, from the other side!
Stephanie Williams
Swilla
(Office Admin)
Responsible For: Resident detective- I solve the office mysteries.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: Everything in my life has something to do with coffee. I believe in a former life, I was coffee.
Catherine Lundquist
The Gold Polisher
(Account Manager)
Responsible For: Dollars and sense.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: Surely, not everybody was Kung Fu fighting.
Jonah Waggoner
(CNC Operator)
Responsible For: Sign production and running CNC machines.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: I am an artist
Matt Littlejohn
…
(Head Installer)
Responsible For: Installing your signs.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: I got something to say about that 😉
Julie Hill
Professional Deadline Herder, Organizer of Random Thoughts, and Erratic Activity
(Project Manager)
Responsible For: Git `er done!
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: Pretty in Pink
Jesse Lynch
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(Installer)
Responsible For: I install your signs
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say:…
John Thielke
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(Production)
Responsible For: Making your sign.
If I made a sign to describe myself, it would say: Gas station food is healthy.
JJ Weiss
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(Project Manager)
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Kylie Brown
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(Install Coordinator)
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David Bertling
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(Project Manager)
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Ryan Leynse
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(Production & Vinyl Installer)
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Zach DeSoto
Desoto
(Production)
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Jake Imler
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(Installer)
Responsible For: Installation
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