Our People
Capital Sign Solutions is home to some of the best and brightest in the sign industry. We hire those who have the most drive, design instinct and passion for the client relationship. Our team of experts works every single day to ensure your business earns the recognition it deserves. We take pride in the bonds we create with our clients – bonds that are strengthened by our genuine interest in the success of your business.
As the client preferred signage professionals, our mission is to grow and prosper by exceeding our clients’ expectations.
Meet Our Team
Patrick Mills
Founder & CEO
Patrick Mills, Capital Sign Solutions’ CEO and founder, seeks to elevate brand visibility and perception for clients of all sizes. From global insurance providers to community banks and local restaurants, Patrick ensures seamless workflow and the highest customer service. “Our goal is to establish long-term relationships with our clients so we can partner with them on their signage needs for the life of their business,” says Patrick. “We are a full-service partner handling all phases of the sign process from design, to permitting, to manufacturing and installation.” Patrick started Capital Sign Solutions in 2011 to provide outstanding customer service and professionalism to small-to-mid-size businesses in the Triangle. Since then, CSS has added resources to serve all 50 states, while continuing its commitment to local clients. In addition to leading the team at Capital Sign Solutions, Patrick also works closely his wife, Harriet, running Wine & Design, a national franchise of paint and sip studios. When Patrick is not working, he enjoys running, fishing, and escaping to the North Carolina coast with his family.
Patrick Mills
Founder & CEO
John Williamson
Chief Operating Officer
As a member of the East Carolina University Baseball Hall of Fame and a former professional player in the Mariners Organization, John Williamson, Capital Sign Solutions’ chief operating officer, knows a thing or two about teamwork. “I love the team atmosphere at Capital Sign Solutions, and my personal goals are to be a team player and help others on our team reach their full potential,” he says. John oversees the development and implementation of growth strategies and processes for the company, and works with the executive team to improve operational performance. He brings 15 years of experience in corporate management and sales from his work at a Fortune 500 company to CSS. As a former sales executive, John says he appreciate the role signs play in connecting companies with the public. “Signs are important to a company’s brand because according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, signs serve as the primary link between a business and its customers,” he says. When John is not working he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.
John Williamson
Chief Operating Officer
Kenneth Lester
Vice President of Operations
A veteran of the sign industry, Kenny Lester, vice president of operations, puts his expertise to work at Capital Sign Solutions by ensuring that clients have best-in-class customer service for sign installations. “Working in the sign industry is rewarding because you can translate a company’s identity into a visual image and communicate what the organization does,” he explains. “Meeting new people and working on a variety of projects means the job is never dull.” His co-workers describe Kenny as energetic, a team player and a great manager. “I love training and teaching,” he says. “I want all of our employees to have the information and knowledge they need to be successful so we have the best installation team in the business.” When Kenny is not working, he enjoys running, fishing and spending time with his family.
Kenneth Lester
Vice President of Operations
April Lyon
HR & Office Manager
April Lyon brings more than a decade of human resource and office management experience to Capital Sign Solutions from her previous work in the wireless communications and service industries. Her organizational skills and the individual attention she provides each employee make her successful in her role at CSS. “My goal is to ensure our business runs in the safest and most efficient way possible and to support each of our employees,” she says. “My office door is always open.” When April is not running things at CSS headquarters, she enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her husband and three children.
April Lyon
HR & Office Manager
Buddy Laws
Director of Brand Implementation
As a principal at Capital Sign Solutions and a sign industry veteran, Buddy Laws works alongside Capital Sign Solutions owner Patrick Mills on CSS’s long-term growth plans. In addition, Buddy manages clients’ brand identity programs and says: “Signage is critical to a company’s brand because it is the primary means of communicating an organization’s business to its clients. Every detail of the sign matters.” Buddy is the third generation of his family to have an executive role in the sign industry. He began his career in 1997 with Harlan Laws Corporation, which his grandfather founded and his father later owned. In 2011, Buddy became vice president of business development for Atlas Sign Industries’ North American markets. Buddy’s hobbies and pursuits through the years have included bull riding, soccer, fishing, coaching youth sports and even co-owning a traveling NASCAR sanctioned race team. These days, he most enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.
Buddy Laws
Director of Brand Implementation
Corey Christiano
Sales Representative
Corey Christiano learned to put customers first while working as cashier in a grocery store when he was a teenager. Today, with years of experience in the sign and hospitality industries, he is putting his commitment to outstanding customer service to work for Capital Sign Solutions. “I am good at being able to put myself in the customer’s shoes and to see things from their point of view,” Corey explains. “I am always willing to go above and beyond to meet and exceed the customer’s expectations.” Corey enjoys working in the sign industry because of the important role signs play in communicating a company’s brand. “Signs serve as the primary link between a business and its customers as well as drawing attention to the business and differentiating it from competitors,” he says. When Corey is not working you will find him enjoying time with his wife and two young children, and cheering for the Carolina Hurricanes & New York Giants.
Corey Christiano
Sales Representative
Brandon Mangum
Sales Representative
More Coming Soon
Brandon Mangum
Sales Representative
Hillary Hall
Project Manager
As a project manager for Capital Sign Solutions, Hillary Hall enjoys overseeing a project from start to finish. “I take a project from its inception to completion and work with the client and the internal team every step of the way,” she says. Colleagues say Hillary is good at her job because of her industry knowledge, tenacity and strong organizational skills. Hillary says that the opportunity to help create a 3D interpretation of a company’s image is exciting. “Signs are so important to a business because they give the public a first impression of the brand,” she says. When Hillary is not working she enjoys fishing, traveling and watching college sports.
Hillary Hall
Project Manager
Mary Elliott
Project Manager
Mary Elliott, a CSS project manager, enjoys working with customers to see their sign concepts become tangible products. “Signage is a visual reinforcement of a company’s existing brand,” she explains. “It’s satisfying to see a sign created that advances your client’s business objectives.” Mary’s colleagues describe her as efficient, productive and motivated, and she is known for providing outstanding customer service. “The bottom line is to keep the customer happy while working in a constructive way with my internal teams,” she says. “I want to provide smooth workflow and a seamless start-to-finish process that satisfies everyone.” Working in a creative industry is perfect for Mary because of her background as a graphic designer and her interest in painting, crafts and dance. Mary also enjoys outdoors adventures such as camping, hiking, rock climbing and fishing.
Mary Elliott
Project Manager
Holt Hobgood
Director of Design
A childhood passion became the building blocks for Holt Hobgood’s career. “I was obsessed with LEGOS as a kid,” he says. “I think that’s really where my lifelong interest in building and creating started.” At Capital Sign Solutions, Holt’s creative talents snapped into place as the company’s director of design, where he manages the team of designers and works with project management and production to maintain quality control. “Signs are an extension of a company’s brand, providing a 24-hour advertisement to communicate who you are and what you do as a business,” Holt says. “For me, it’s exciting to come up with a concept in my mind, translate it into a drawing, figure out how to actually make it, and get to see the final product.” When Holt is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, kids, and their dog, skiing and cheering for the NC State Wolfpack.
Holt Hobgood
Director of Design
Kristen Withers
Graphic Designer
Kristen Withers is known for bringing fresh, creative ideas to every project. “I don’t settle,” this graphic designer says. “I always want to make sure that I achieve the best result possible.” Kristen loves working in the sign industry because of the variety of work, the collaborative process and the opportunity to create a visual that communicates a company’s brand. “I feel that if you enjoy what you do and who you do it with then you will always be able to perform above and beyond the expectations of your clients,” she says. When Kristen is not working, you will find her at a music venue, on a hiking trail with her dogs, or cooking something amazing.
Kristen Withers
Graphic Designer
Arthur Young
Vice President of Graphic Production
Arthur Young puts his creative talents to work producing graphic prints to communicate clients’ vision of their brand. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Arthur has developed a keen eye for detail and the patience required to ensure the artwork is perfect. “The ability to identify and focus on little details brings my production skill to a greater level,” he explains. “Sign branding is so important because it communicates a company’s identity, goods and services. I love being able to tell a client’s story through visuals.” In addition to being talented in visual arts, Arthur loves music, and he was a drum major for his university’s marching band. When Arthur is not working, you can find him roller skating; he even takes his skates on vacation, and enjoys checking out skating rinks around the country.
Arthur Young
Vice President of Graphic Production
Let’s Get Started
Connect with our team to learn how we can help with your signage needs.