TJ Payne, President,CFO
TJ grew up locally in Dobson, NC and now resides in Pilot Mountain, NC with his wife, Sharon and their son, Weston. He graduateed from Appalachian State University with a BSBA in Accounting. TJ became a certified public accountant and practiced public accounting for more than 20 years. He founded an accounting firm in 1989 which still bears his name today.
TJ entered the sign industry in 2006 when he and two partners, Todd Surratt and Rick Vaughn, purchased Burton Electric Signs, Inc. which became Burton Signworks, Inc. He is engaged in the daily operations of the company as President/CEO. TJ is responsible for the overall operations of the company with an emphasis on business finance.
He and his wife are active in church and serve as the middle school youth directors. He is a member of the Mount Airy Rotary Club where he’s a past president and a Paul Harris Fellow. He has been active in youth sports for the past several years.
Todd Surratt, Vice-President, CEO
Todd is a native of Mount Airy and has lived there most of his life. He and his wife, Carol, have 3 children. Todd received his B.S.B.A. in Finance & Management Information Systems from Appalachian State University in 1986. He received his Masters from the Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking in 1998. Todd was Vice President/City Executive for BB&T from 1988-2000 before leaving to start various entrepreneurial endeavors. One of these included starting Southeastern Signworks with Rick Vaughn. Southeastern grew steadily until 2006 at which time Todd and Rick made a strategic purchase of Burton Electric Signs. With this purchase, and subsequent merger of Southeastern Signworks, Burton Signworks was created.
Todd and his family are members of Central United Methodist Church. Todd has been active in the Boy Scouts of America where he received the rank of Eagle Scout in 1979. He has served as Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 596 where his son, Vaughn, recently earned the Eagle rank also. Todd’s hobbies include traveling, watersports and supporting his children’s athletic events.
Rich Banten Jr., VP of Sales and Marketing
Rich was born & raised in upstate NY until the age of 10 when his parents bought a business in FL and relocated the family. Rich graduated from high school and served in the United States Army for 10 years. Rich earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Law from the University of South Florida.
Rich brings more than 12 years of experience in all areas of the sign industry. He began as a sales representative in the sign industry for a large national firm in 1998. During his career, he has held the position of Sales Representative, Sales Manager, General Manager and Vice President, Sales and Marketing. His experience includes working with national accounts such as Famous Footwear, Neutralizer, TJX Companies (i.e. TJ MAXX, Marshalls, A.J. Wright, Home Goods), Circle K, RaceTrac Petroleum, Applebee’s, CB Richard Ellis, Trammel Crow, BB&T, First Citizens Bank and many more.
Rich has been involved in managing client relationships, project management, day to day operations, manufacturing facility set up and product flow, installation and service programs along with responsibility for monthly profit and loss. Rich has an honest disposition, combined with a high ethical demeanor, which has set him apart from others in the sign insdustry. This allows Rich to insure the best service and product is supplied to the customer while insuring the company receives a fair profit. He prides himself on the ability to develop and maintain long term client relationships.
Rich enjoys spending time with his wife Dawn and their three children Brianna, Ricky & Lilly. They enjoy camping, riding four wheelers and anything outdoors. In his spare time,Rich also enjoys working on his farm and mountain biking .
Mark Green, COO
Mark was born in Galax, VA and currently resides in Mount Airy, NC.
He has 24 years experience in the sign industry with 17 of those years being with Burton Electric Signs and Burton Signworks, Inc. He is the Operations Manager and oversees the manufacturing components of our fabrication department from start to finish. He has served 2 terms on the Board of Directors of the Southeast Sign Association (SESA).
He and his wonderful wife Donna have been married for 35 years. They have been blessed with 2 sons; Tony and Chris, a daughter-in-law; Bree, and 2 grandchildren; Ty and Alaia. Mark loves to spend time with his family and friends. He also enjoys a good game of golf when he can find the time. He and Donna also attend church at Firehouse Ministries in Mount Airy, NC.
Carol Kirby, Human Resources
Carol was born in Mount Airy, NC and grew up in Pilot Mountain, NC and currently resides in Mount Airy. She has worked in the sign industry for more than 20 years. She began her career as an Administrative Assistant, then Office Manager, and is currently the Human Resources Director with Burton Signworks Inc. She was promoted to the position of Human Resources Director when Burton Electric Signs merged with Southeastern Sign Works and became Burton Signworks, Inc. in 2008.
In her Human Resources position, in addition to payroll and insurance responsibilities, she produces a monthly newsletter that the employees can take home to share with their families, showing just a few of the jobs they’ve manufactured and installed and hopefully giving them an even more sense of pride in their work. She is also involved with the development of the company’s website. The love of her life, Michael, also works for Burton Signworks as a sign fabricator. They normally spend their weekends doing something fun with their girls, Jessie, Brittany and Kristen and their son Carter.
Anita Richardson, Office Manager
Anita is currently office manager, employed since October 1997. She began as receptionist advancing to her current position in February 1998. She is also responsible for the accounting duties of the business.
She graduated from Lamar Salter Vocational-Technical School in Leesville, LA after successfully completing the accounting and business machines program.
Raised in Merryville, LA, she moved to NC in 1987. Anita has lived in Mount Airy since 1995.
She has one son, Jared, who also resides in Mount Airy.
She currently devotes her free time to helping the homeless and Christian Single’s ministries. She also is secretary / treasurer for her church’s Women’s Ministry and its Christian Education Department.
Anita loves NHRA, stock car racing and the NFL.
Tony Varney, Art Director
Tony was born and raised in Mount Airy, NC and has been a member of the Burton family for 13 years. He came aboard as a graphic designer when the company was known as Burton Electric Signs and was promoted to Art Director when Burton merged with Southeastern Sign Works and Burton Signworks, Inc. was created. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphics Design from Western Carolina University. He won the Merit Award in the 2000 ISA Sign Design Contest. The next four years he helped design the parameters for the same design contest. He also spent three years teaching Graphic Design and Drawing at Surry Community College in Dobson, NC. BSI is proud to make our company available for High School Internships, Co-Ops, and Shadowing programs.
He and his beautiful wife, Melissa have three wonderful kids, Jasmine, Bryson, and Mason that are all involved in church, sports, and other community activities.
Joe Nester, Installation Manager
Joe was born in Mount Airy, NC and raised in Claudville, VA where he currently resides.
Joe is the installation manager for Burton Signworks. He has been in the sign business for 10+ years and has a vast knowledge of installing and servicing signs along with experience in the petroleum and retail market. He has worked on several large projects as a crane operator.
His wonderful wife Tina also works for Burton Signworks over the graphic arts department. They have two amazing boys, Kobe and Ian. In his spare time he likes to race dirt track and spend time with his family.
Tyler Cobb, Estimator
Tyler is a native of Burlington, NC and now resides outside of Winston Salem, NC with his wife Blair and their son Cannon. Tyler attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he double majored in Psychology & Political Science and was also a member of the Men’s soccer team. Tyler is the 4
th generation of his family to be involved with the ever progressing sign industry which has translated to experiences in every facet of the business from cutting & weeding vinyl to installing signs 160’ in the air to sourcing the best & most price competitive materials for customer projects. Being that Tyler has over 20 years experience dealing with signs he takes great pride in the quality of work he is involved with which led him to becoming a member of the BSI family. Tyler is the head of BSI’s estimating and purchasing departments and helps in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating internal & external factors for BSI and has been instrumental in aligning Burton Signworks with the best vendors in our industry. When not working Tyler enjoys spending time with his family and friends, snowboarding, surfing, UGA football, UNC basketball, and the Boston Red Sox.
Bo Branch, National Sales Executive
Bo was born in Sanford, NC and currently resides in Mount Airy, NC.
His career with Burton Signworks, Inc. began in 1993. Over the years he moved through several different departments learning all aspects of the signage industry including fabrication and painting as well as installation. In 2004, he advanced to his current position of National Sales Executive. With the experience and knowledge he has gained, he is able to listen to the customer’s needs and help them with selecting the signage that would be the most beneficial for them.
Bo enjoys spending time with his wife Mary and their children Sam and Ella.
Jack Cannon, National Sales Executive
Jack was born in Odessa, TX. Both of his parents were in the finance and banking industry, therefore the importance of good money management was instilled in his life since youth. His father passed away when he was eighteen and his mother is actively enjoying her retirement in Richmond, VA, in close proximity to his two sisters. He and his wife, Edana, live south of Nashville, TN on a 20 acre farm where they own and operate a horse boarding business with 31 horses.
He worked in the pharmaceutical industry for many years calling on the corporate offices of large drug retailers such as Kroger’s, K-mart, Wal-Mart, CVS, Eckerd’s, and Rite Aid to name a few. As national account manager traveling by plane daily afforded him the opportunity to build savings and accumulate frequent flyer points. After years of traveling for business, he took two years off from work and traveled throughout the world. Time off, provided an opportunity to enjoy other cultures, friends, family and to recalibrate direction of his career path. He knew he wanted compensation based on his individual performance while still working with a team of professionals with the ability to see immediate results. All of which is exactly what the sign industry offers. He started to sell signs for Universal Sign Corporation in Tampa, FL. During his first week, he successfully cold called on a national shoe retailer and was awarded the change out for several FL markets. In the next six months, he earned the trust of the staff at LifeWay Christian Book Stores and was awarded all their 200 + locations throughout the country for the name change from Baptist Book Store to LifeWay Christian Store.
Over the last twelve years, the sign industry has been a challenging, yet rewarding career. He’s amazed at what this industry has to offer and the value of relationships. Even though he has worked for some companies that believe a sales person doesn’t contribute to retaining clients, his hard work and ethics have proven differently. Many of his large customers continue to remain loyal and have followed him knowing that he has everyone’s best interest in mind. He looks forward to this opportunity to partner with Burton Signworks to grow sales, create jobs and support families throughout the company. He’s excited with the opportunities ahead in the coming months as the economy begins to grow.
Lisa Billings, National Sales Executive
Lisa was raised in Ararat, VA and currently resides in Mount Airy, NC.
She brings more than 15 years of sign experience to our company. Lisa initially started on the graphics and art design side of the industry. Her continued ability along with her desire to improve her knowledge has allowed her to move up through the ranks and now holds the position and responsibility of national sales executive. Lisa earned and maintains the national program for CVS Pharmacy. Her experience with the commercial construction industry has also enabled her to earn one of the largest general contracting firms in the Carolina’s.
Lisa and her husband Mark enjoy riding Harley Davidson motorcycles and boating. Lisa is a co-founder of Animal Welfare of Surry and helps educate and promote low cost spay/neuter programs and enjoys rescuing animals and helping them find good homes. They also attend church at Firehouse Ministries in Mount Airy, NC.
Mike Cockerham, National Sales Executive
Mike was born in Richmond, VA and now currently resides in High Point, NC.
He has been involved with the sign industry since 1991 where he worked for one of the largest outdoor advertising companies in the nation. In 1998, Mike began his career in the electric sign industry. Starting out as an Account Executive and very quickly moving into National Sales. Mike’s sales philosophy is very simple, “RELATIONSHIP BUILDING!” Mike prides himself on his customer relationships. “For the first time in my career, I can excitedly say that Burton Signworks has the Leadership, Resources, Talent and most important a Commitment to 100% Customer Satisfaction, these are fine qualities to build a business relationship on.” Mike works primarily in the Retail and Petroleum segments of the sign industry, but has experience in all areas of the signage industry.
He enjoys spending time with family and friends, fishing, scuba diving, playing softball and basketball. He is the proud father of a daughter who is a Combat Medic in the US Army Reserves.
RJ White, National Sales Executive
RJ was born in Sioux City, IA and currently resides in Ft. Mill, SC.
RJ brings not only more than 15 years of experience in all areas of the sign industry, but also carries over 15 years of facility and construction management. RJ started as a sales representative in 1995 in the sign industry and has held the positions of Sales Manager and also General Manager for the largest national installation firm. His experience includes the entire airport signage for the 1996 Olympics, the Nations Bank to Bank of America conversion project, SunTrust Bank lead manufacturing account representative and being an OSHA Certified Trainer. He also helped manage end-to-end relationships between client and client’s construction and real estate divisions, design teams, material suppliers, project management, fabricators and installers while maintaining a long term account relationship. Other significant experience includes the business savvy to anticipate contingencies, control expenses, stretch operating dollars and the ability from his honest and willing demeanor to adapting himself for client and vendor success.
He and his wife Rosemary have 6 kids that range from the ages of 13 to 29. He is a member of the Southern Polytechnic Alumni and the South Carolina Hospitality Association as well as an active member of ICSC. They attend Calvary Church in Charlotte. He is active in the community ranging from an elected member of the HOA Association to volunteering on the Zoning Board of Appeals for Fort Mill, SC.
Don Frye, National Sales Executive
Born in Berea, KY and raised in Charlotte, NC. Don attended Pfeiffer College on a baseball scholarship. Don started in sign sales in 1980 and has managed various national accounts over his career since 1985. He assisted with opening a sales office in Atlanta for a national sign company. He then switched to the gas canopy industry for a few years working for a national canopy manufacturing company and also helped open a sales office for them. Don then returned to the sign industry around 1990. He has been at BSI for a little over a year working mainly in the gasoline industry and has helped BSI expand in this field and anticipates even greater opportunities for future growth in this aspect of the sign industry. Don currently lives in Lake Norman and enjoys fishing and playing golf. He has one daughter, Tess, who is a top producing real-estate agent in the Atlanta market.
Todd is a native of Mount Airy and has lived there most of his life. He and his wife, Carol, have 3 children. Todd received his B.S.B.A. in Finance & Management Information Systems from Appalachian State University in 1986. He received his Masters from the Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking in 1998. Todd was Vice President/City Executive for BB&T from 1988-2000 before leaving to start various entrepreneurial endeavors. One of these included starting Southeastern Signworks with Rick Vaughn. Southeastern grew steadily until 2006 at which time Todd and Rick made a strategic purchase of Burton Electric Signs. With this purchase, and subsequent merger of Southeastern Signworks, Burton Signworks was created.
Tyler is a native of Burlington, NC and now resides outside of Winston Salem, NC with his wife Blair and their son Cannon. Tyler attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he double majored in Psychology & Political Science and was also a member of the Men’s soccer team. Tyler is the 4th generation of his family to be involved with the ever progressing sign industry which has translated to experiences in every facet of the business from cutting & weeding vinyl to installing signs 160’ in the air to sourcing the best & most price competitive materials for customer projects. Being that Tyler has over 20 years experience dealing with signs he takes great pride in the quality of work he is involved with which led him to becoming a member of the BSI family. Tyler is the head of BSI’s estimating and purchasing departments and helps in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating internal & external factors for BSI and has been instrumental in aligning Burton Signworks with the best vendors in our industry. When not working Tyler enjoys spending time with his family and friends, snowboarding, surfing, UGA football, UNC basketball, and the Boston Red Sox. 
Born in Berea, KY and raised in Charlotte, NC. Don attended Pfeiffer College on a baseball scholarship. Don started in sign sales in 1980 and has managed various national accounts over his career since 1985. He assisted with opening a sales office in Atlanta for a national sign company. He then switched to the gas canopy industry for a few years working for a national canopy manufacturing company and also helped open a sales office for them. Don then returned to the sign industry around 1990. He has been at BSI for a little over a year working mainly in the gasoline industry and has helped BSI expand in this field and anticipates even greater opportunities for future growth in this aspect of the sign industry. Don currently lives in Lake Norman and enjoys fishing and playing golf. He has one daughter, Tess, who is a top producing real-estate agent in the Atlanta market. 