Our People
Since 2011, Capital Sign Solutions has been the leading provider of custom signs in the Southeast. From the heart of our inception, we have dedicated ourselves to transforming visions into tangible, eye-catching displays that resonate with the unique identity of each client we serve.
Our expertise extends beyond signage; we are architects of visual communication, understanding the pivotal role that a well-crafted sign plays in conveying a brand’s message. From outdoor signage that captures attention or indoor displays that enhance ambiance, our team of skilled professionals combines creativity with precision to deliver exceptional results. We hire professionals with drive, design instinct and passion for the client relationship. Our team of experts works hard 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
Kenneth Lester
President of Operations
A veteran of the sign industry, Kenny Lester, 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
President of Operations
2012
Hillary Hall
Managing Director
As Managing Director for Capital Sign Solutions, Hillary Hall enjoys overseeing a project from start to finish. With a background in project management and accounting/finance, watching a project from its inception to completion, along with working through processes with customers and internal team members to ensure a quality outcome is what she finds most rewarding. 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 spending time with her husband and friends, fishing, traveling, concerts and cheering on the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Hillary Hall
Managing Director
2017
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.” During COVID April took on some additional responsibilities and now also helps clients with their signage needs. When April is not running things at the CSS headquarters in Raleigh, she enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and spending time with her husband, their 3 grown children and 7 grandchildren.
April Lyon
HR & Office Manager
2015
Buddy Laws
Vice President of National Accounts
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
Vice President of National Accounts
2014
Brandon Mangum
Vice President of Corporate Sales
More Coming Soon
Brandon Mangum
Vice President of Corporate Sales
2018
Corey Christiano
Commercial Account 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
Commercial Account Representative
2012
Eric Lott
Commercial Account Representative
With a career that began in graphic art and design, Eric Lott has achieved more than 30 years in the sign industry. He brings a wealth of experience and solutions to his clients at Capital Sign Solutions. “I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to work with some outstanding people and many great signage projects throughout the years,” Eric says. “A company’s sign is the most important reflection of the organization’s identity and image, and communicates what it does as a business,” Eric explains, and is committed to providing the highest level of service to a client from a sign’s inception to its installation. He attributes his success to his attention to detail throughout the entire sales process, industry knowledge, building strong relationships, and “going the extra mile to make sure our CSS clients have a positive experience and are happy with the final product.” When Eric isn’t at work, he enjoys spending time with family, NC State Wolfpack sports, singing, fishing, and weekend getaways with his wife to the NC mountains.
Eric Lott
Commercial Account Representative
2019
Lee Martin
Director of Engineering
As a Mechanical Engineer, Lee Martin began his engineering career designing weapons systems for the United States Navy at the Naval Aerial Warfare Center, Weapons Division. It was here that Lee honed his passion for quality and attention to detail, which he carried over into the private sector as Director of Quality Assurance for a large steel fabricator in California. Lee was first introduced to the signage industry as he managed the department responsible for the creation of overhead sign structures that would span hundreds of feet across the busy California freeways. Lee took his technical expertise and enthusiasm to a large national sign company and oversaw many nation-wide sign programs for major brands before joining the Capital Sign Solutions team as Director of Engineering. “I have been privileged to work on some incredible sign projects over the years,” Lee explains. “But the signs we are able to create for our customers here at CSS are next level.” In his free time, Lee will often be found off on adventures with his wife – exploring the Alaskan winter wilderness by dog sled, snowshoeing above the arctic circle, and tent camping in remote areas.
Lee Martin
Director of Engineering
2022
Arthur Young
Sr. Production Manager
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
Sr. Production Manager
2015
Joel Vance
Field Project Manager
More Coming Soon
Joel Vance
Field Project Manager
2019
James McPhatter
Product Procurement
James Mcphatter is a Product Agent at Capital Sign Solutions. James aids the Operations Team with various tasks and one of his favorites being logistics of product. “My ability to adapt to evolving challenges delivers consistent impactful results,” says James. James looks forward to continuing his commitment to excellence here at Capital Sign Solutions! When away from work, James enjoys time with family, fishing and a choice for hobby is model trucks.
James McPhatter
Product Procurement
2021
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
2013
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
2016
John Willis
Graphic Designer
More Coming Soon
John Willis
Graphic Designer
2021
Tiffany Mitchell
Controller
Tiffany brings more than a decade of financial management experience. She is known for implementing collaborative approaches that drive financial success and operational efficiency. She specializes in helping businesses streamline accounting practices, optimize financial reporting, use data-driven insights to make informed decisions and achieve sustainable business objectives. When Tiffany is not working, you will find her practicing yoga, listening to live music, or spending time with her husband and their six children.
Tiffany Mitchell
Controller
2023
Kristen Bullins-Switzer
Project Manager
As a Project Manager for Capital Sign Solutions, Kristen Switzer brings extensive project management experience cultivated from her background in environmental consulting. With a focus on process flow management and efficiency, Kristen is adept at delivering results prioritizing integrity, collaboration, and innovation. Beyond her professional pursuits, Kristen finds joy in baking, crocheting, and spending time with her husband and two daughters. Her vibrant enthusiasm mirrors her approach to project management – dynamic, detail-oriented, dedicated, and driven by a genuine desire to make a difference.
Kristen Bullins-Switzer
Project Manager
2024
Julia Pagano
Marketing Specialist
With several years of experience with content creation, Julia Pagano uses her abilities to exceed expectations and continually elevate Capital Sign Solutions’ virtual presence. Growing up in a creative household in Brooklyn, NY, Julia has developed a passion for storytelling and bringing people’s visions to life. “I’ve always been obsessed with how things are captured or portrayed on screen. I was obsessed with movies and stories growing up, it just made sense for this to be a career.” She uses her background in graphic design, video editing, and copywriting to elevate our social media presence, whether it’s reaching to potential clients, sharing client testimonials, or diving deeper into what we do here at Capital Sign Solutions. In Julia’s spare time, she enjoys trying new restaurants, going to concerts & watching classic movies.
Julia Pagano
Marketing Specialist
2024
Let’s Get Started
Connect with our team to learn how we can help with your signage needs.