CSA FISHING TRIP 2017
EXCURSION IMMERSION
CSA’s 15th voyage found first mate Joann Quiel with a new captain on board! Stalwart Captain Gary Quiel was unable to hit the water on Aug. 12, so CSA board member Randy Crossno stepped up to the plate! Forty-five anglers booked the trip, and forty actually boarded the Clemente at 5 a.m. The following is commentary from Randy Crossno:
“We decided to take the long trip to Catalina, due to the questionable catch off the coast in the preceding two days, especially when the captain announced over the PA that “zero fish were caught yesterday.”
On our way out, like CSA’s previous years’ fishing excursions, we were once again escorted by the friendly dolphins– but it was a short visit when they realized Captain Gary Quiel was not on board. They sent their best to the Quiel Family and headed north.
Arriving off the Catalina Shore at 9:30 a.m., lines were dropped and our first catch that was immediately caught was a nice size yellowtail. We continued to fish until 1:30 p.m. bringing in yellowtail, bass, bonita, and barracuda, with the “Big Catch of the Day” by Jose Abundez, Team RNS!
We arrived back to the dock at 6 p.m. It was a great group and a beautiful day on the water!
A special shout-out goes to Richard Pando, RNS Channel Letters, Co-Captain for the day. Hope to see everyone next year!”
CONNECT: Connections + Education for Sign Trade Professionals
The first CSA Educational Conference of the new, six-year plan is scheduled to take place Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 23-25, at the Ontario Convention & Airport Hotel in Ontario.
Consistent with the goals of the CSA Board, the emphasis this year will be on education. With the finishing touches being put on the enhanced training (STEPS) program, the conference provides a good opportunity to kick off this ambitious program for the 2017-18 CSA year. Teeing off with golf, you will make new connections that boost your business. Then soak up knowledge, hang with movers and shakers at the dinner event, and leave with batteries charged! Participation in the 2017 conference is sure to be memorable! READ AND REGISTER HERE. Continue Reading
First CSA Certified Crane Operator Class
FROM CLASSROOM TO CRANE
CSA’s first training class to become a Certified Crane Operator took place July 20-22 at Quiel Brothers Electric Sign Company, located in San Bernardino, CA.
Gary Quiel, CSA Director Emeritus, along with his brothers Larry and Jerry, hosted this event for CSA. ALTEC provided the crane used during testing at no charge to the association – A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL!
David Shelley (Crane Care Operations), along with his son John, conducted the classroom training as well as the practical training and actual testing on the crane. This was conducted over a full day on Thursday and Friday, plus a Saturday morning; an NCCCO proctor conducted the written exam on Saturday afternoon.
All candidates in attendance stated they thought the training was very well done. Dave Saudargas with Quiel Brothers added, “The instructors were excellent – we couldn’t ask for more.”
“The instructors were excellent – we couldn’t ask for more.”
The candidates are anxiously awaiting their results from the 3-part practical and 2-part written tests– “a little nervous,” they indicated. David and John were extremely pleased with the efforts put forth by the attendees and worked very hard with them, individually and as a group, to assure they would be safe crane operators AND pass both exams.
It will take up to two weeks before the results of the exam will be published.
Future classes will be conducted at Superior Electrical Advertising, Pacific Neon, CNI Signmakers, Sign Designs, AD/S – Architectural Design & Signs, CNP Signs & Graphics, as well as an additional class at Quiel Brothers.
For further information on the CSA Certified Crane Operator Classes, look on the CSA Website or contact Cheryl Flahive, Dir. of Member Services: cflahive@calsign.org
In Memoriam: Raymond Quiel
It is with a very heavy heart that we share with you the passing of CSA Director Emeritus Ray Quiel, Quiel Brothers Electric Sign Company. Raymond V. Quiel passed away on July 6, 2017 in San Bernardino, CA. He was 90 years old. Ray was born in Des Moines, IA and traveled to San Bernardino with his mother and 5 brothers when he was 3 years old. He attended Lincoln Elementary, Sturges Middle, and San Bernardino Highschool, was a Navy veteran, founded and co-owned, with his brother Gordon, Quiel Brothers Electric Sign Co and Stardust Roller Rink. Quiel Brothers Signs began operating in 1961 with the erection of a 5,000 square foot facility. Ray Quiel started out with just one employee and one truck under the name Electric Sign Service. That beginning paved the way for a multi-generation family business that has left its very visible mark in thousands of places across the Inland region.
He also owned the Brass Key with his wife. He was heavily involved with the California Sign Association, National Sign Association, and World Sign Association. Ray was a longtime member of the CSA Board of Directors, having served as president in 1982; he was elevated to serve as a Director Emeritus in 1994.
Ray was involved in so many CSA activities it would be hard to enumerate all of them; the one activity he took the greatest pride in was being the person who managed the publication of the yearly CSA Directory for many, many years.
Another of his many achievements was the first McDonald’s signs at the original location on E street. Ray traveled to the four corners of the world and enjoyed vacationing with his wife, family and friends. Ray was a longtime member of the Elks and Arrowhead Country Club. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Margaret L. Quiel, brothers Lawrence, Marvin, Gordon and Norwald. He is survived by his brother Robert, sons Larry (Tammy), Jerry (Mary) and Gary (Joanne) of San Bernardino, grandchildren, Ashley, Michael, Kristina, Kimberly, Erik and 7 grandchildren.
Ray Quiel took this picture of the Mcdonald brothers in front of the first Mcdonalds. The photo was later donated to the Smithsonian.
A viewing will be held July 20, 2017 at 5-7:00 p.m. with a funeral service on Friday July 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. both at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel 1299 E. Highland Ave San Bernardino, CA 92404. A graveside service will follow at Montecito Memorial Park in Colton. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Ray’s honor to Inland Empire Lighthouse for the Blind, 359 E. Parkcenter Circle South San Bernardino, CA 92408. A form is available here: Inland Empire Lighthouse for the Blind
2017 CSA Golf Tournament
Get ready for the 2017 CSA Golf Tournament!
CSA is sponsoring a golf tournament Aug. 23, to be held in conjunction with the CSA Educational Conference & Annual Mtg. August 23-25, 2017.
Just minutes away from the Ontario Airport, Sierra Lakes is challenging but fair for all types of golfers. Sierra Lakes was created with players of all levels in mind, with five sets of tees so everyone can have fun!
We encourage you to use this great opportunity!
- To make your golfing customers feel a part of YOUR team!
- Reward your golfing employees with a day on the links giving them the chance to bring home the bacon for the company!
- Or Both – have a couple customers and a couple of employees representing your company!
IF YOU ARE A CSA MEMBER AND WANT TO BE A SPONSOR FOR THIS EVENT, DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE AND SIGN-UP FORM (PDF) – CHECK OUT ALL OF THE GREAT SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES!
To Register as an individual or with company staff, visit our shop here. or complete Page 4 of the Golf Tournament Brochure (PDF) above.
Here’s what we have in store:
Shotgun Format – Sierra Lakes was created with players of all levels in mind, with five sets of tees so everyone can have fun!
Added Competition – Just to add a bit more excitement, we are adding the “Corporate Challenge” —a tournament within the tournament. The only teams eligible to compete in the “Corporate Challenge” are those registering via the Birdie, Eagle, or Double Eagle sponsorship packages (see page 3).
Great Tee Prizes – Every participant will receive a nice tee prize package!
Golf Ball Drop – For golfers and non-golfers alike, here is a chance to be a winner! For $10, you can buy a uniquely numbered golf ball or for $20 you can buy three or for $50 you can buy ten. We’re going to put all of the balls we sell in a basket and take the basket high in the sky where we will dump ‘em out. If your ball ends up closest to the pin under the ball drop, you win one of the three prizes! We’re going to give 25% of what we take in for first place, 15% for second and 10% for third. We’re going to keep the other 50%—after all, it is a fundraiser!
On Course Competitions – Even if your team doesn’t come up a winner, you may still walk away with a prize or two. We will be holding the traditional on-course competitions including Closest to the Pin and Long Drive. We may throw in a couple others, but you have to participate to find out!
Location: Sierra Lakes Golf Club, 16600 Clubhouse Dr., Fontana, CA 92336
You’re going to love this tournament and you’re going to love this golf course!
See you in southern California!
Introducing: A Seasoned Industry Coach
The Robert Armerding Company Story
Robert Armerding
1973: Pleasanton CA, with a brush and can of One Shot, I began a wonderful journey. Indeed, a sign that I built back then is still in downtown on the Chad Henderson Bandstand in the Lions Wayside Park. Besides having my own sign business, I have worked for a local sign shop and a national sign company. More recently, for 17 years I worked in San Jose, CA for Product Sign Supplies. When my friend Davey Glantz (N. Glantz & Sons) bought the company, I helped him with the transition and thus began a new service I am proud to introduce here.
Over the years, I have attended California Sign Association functions as an employee of a member company. Now, having started my own Robert Armerding Company, I have joined CSA and my new focus is on the management side of your sign business. In the broad sense, I am a consultant / coach for the sign business.
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2017 Fourth Annual BOD Meeting
The 4th and final board meeting of the California Sign Association will take place during the Conference in Ontario, CA.Save the Date for the big CSA Education Conference and Annual Meeting! Join CSA Members and California industry professionals for a big education event, plus Golf Tournament, bowling and more! Check back for venue details, exact date and time for this important board of directors meeting.
SoCal CSA Members Meet, Learn, Eat in May
Think Lean Seminar Followed by Dinner and Presentation
It is no wonder that SoCal CSA members thoroughly enjoyed the Seminar on May 18 at the Catch Restaurant in Anaheim. Presenter Melissa Searle took command using her progressive leadership experience, encouraging all to engage in a workshop atmosphere to build skills for developing a lean environment and way of thinking. After the terrific reviews received following Melissa’s presentation in Northern California, Oct.-2016, it was not surprising to see her “hit it out of the park” once again. Thank you Melissa!
The seminar was followed by a great dinner and presentation, in a private dining room.
The Dinner was attended by 32 people, all anxious to hear about the wonderful program in place within California, educating our High School Students on both college and career opportunities. The new CSA Enhanced Training Program currently being developed by the association board of directors and staff, is a prime example of where these young people can look to enter into the workforce.
CSA staff and several of our members, have participated in school tours and organizational meetings regarding this very important issue: Where do we get the young people the industry wants to align with, and invest in, for the future? Mr. Rob Atterbury, Director, District and Regional Support of ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career, provided a wonderful presentation on the answer to that very question. Thousands of high school students in California are enrolled in Public High School Academies, where they are taught that paramount to their success in life is the need to be prepared to move forward after high school. ConnectEd impresses upon each student that they will be expected to work in a team, dress professionally, speak appropriately, tackle difficult projects – including designing, planning and implementation of the plan to a successful conclusion. These young academy graduates will certainly be given serious consideration for participation in the CSA Advanced Training Program to be implemented next year.
May Meeting: Solar Energy, Wine & Roses
Neal Tibbs is Featured Speaker
CSA held a very successful CSA Membership Luncheon and Program, May 11, 2017, at Wine & Roses in Lodi, CA. 22 people were in attendance for lunch and a seminar on Solar Lighting/Energy for signs. The seminar was presented by Neal Tibbs, V.P. – Ad Art, and 2nd V.P. of CSA. Neal shared slides on the solar products available from SimpliPhi; this is a solar company that Ad Art has worked with successfully on several grocery store locations in Northern California. Neal described the solar collection, battery storage, and power distribution method and spoke on the ability to have the solar unit being a stand alone, or connected to the grid during extended foul weather situations. All in attendance appreciated the fact that Neal was able to speak first-person about the projects, since he was actually on site during the installation and initial lighting of the systems. 
In addition, CSA Executive Director, Roy Flahive, informed the attendees of current CSA activities (pictured).
Keith Wills, CSA Past President and current board member, is showcasing the Member Helping Member Program that CSA has been spearheading for the last several years. Keith indicated exciting new offers will be forthcoming in the program this summer – look for your opportunity to take advantage of these special offers. CSA: Where A MEMBER HELPS A MEMBER!
April BOD Meeting in a Shark Tank
The California Sign Association held a meeting of its Board of Directors on Friday, April 21, in Las Vegas, in conjunction with the ISA Expo. This board meeting started at 7:30am – yes that is in the morning, in Las Vegas, and 25 of our 27 directors were in attendance – that is dedication!
With the generous attendance, business moved rapidly during the three-hour meeting. Some outcomes included a review of healthy financial statements; regulatory and local code highlights from legal counsel Jeff Aran; discussion of continued growth in CSA membership (13 new members so far this year); update on the crane operator certification program; and dialogue on the enhanced training program CSA is developing for sign fabrication, installation, and sign related administrative skills.
President Michelini made certain the window shades were down until most of the board’s perfunctory tasks were addressed. His request that the shades be raised enabled the Directors to see for the first time that the meeting room adjoined the actual shark tank in the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, one of the largest exhibits of its kind. To say the view was fabulous is an understatement – it was awesome.
During a 15-minute break in the meeting, everyone got a good view of the aquarium, housing more than 1,200 species of aquatic life including sharks, exotic fish and more. Following this, the committee chairs reported on their respective committees including – the Government Affairs, Communication, Professionalism, Education, Technical and Membership Committees.
Roy Flahive
Executive Director
California Sign Association