2011 W. Curtis Strube Candidate: Pinnacle Sign Group Inc.

Pinnacle Sign Group Inc., formerly Savage Sign Co., might have a long history of more than 100 years in the Springfield area, but its evolution into a turnkey project management company and manufacturer of custom interior and exterior designs has helped it grow in tough economic times, according to President Darren Pearce, who bought into the business in 2008. Since Jan. 1, he and his wife, Lori have been the company’s sole owners.

Darren Pearce’s business background includes leading several companies, including serving as president of The Carpet Shoppe, owned by his father, Dale.

“It was always tough dealing with sign companies, and I joked if I had a sign company, I would model it after a service business,” Darren Pearce said.

In 2008, Pinnacle had 24 employees, and there are 26 today, Pearce said.

“We scaled the employees down and built it back up,” he added.

The company manufactures, installs and services several types of signage, including monuments, pylon signs and light-emitting diode message centers.

Pearce declined to disclose revenues, but he said the company posted double-digit percentage growth each year between 2008 and 2010, and he expects 18 percent growth at the end of 2011.

Some of the most recognizable recent projects for Pinnacle Sign Group include a rotating sign for Daytona’s Fast Tune & Lube Inc. and signage for Bistro Market and the Springfield-Branson International Airport.

Pearce attributes his company’s growth to the practice of hiring project managers with various backgrounds and a focus on customer service.

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