TJ Payne, President/CEO
TJ grew up locally in Dobson, NC and currently resides in Pilot Mountain, NC with his wife, Sharon and their son, Weston. He is a graduate of Appalachian State University where he earned his BSBA in Accounting. He became a certified public accountant and practiced public accounting for 20 years. He founded an accounting firm in 1989 which still bears his name today.
He entered the sign industry in 2006 when he and two partners, Todd Surratt and Rick Vaughn, purchased Burton Electric Signs, Inc. which today is Burton Signworks, Inc. He became active in the daily operations of the company immediately and was named President / CFO. He is responsible for the overall operations of the company with an emphasis on the financial aspects of the business.
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 is a past president and a Paul Harris Fellow. He has been active in youth sports for the past several years.
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. After relocating to FL, Rich joined the US Army after graduating from high school and served 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. Rich started as a sales representative in the sign industry for a large national firm in 1998. During his tenure, 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 that is combined with a high ethical demeanor. This allows Rich to insure the best service and product is supplied to the company’s customers while insuring the company receives a fair profit. Rich prides himself on his 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. Rich enjoys working on his farm and mountain biking in his spare time.
David Shirley Jr., General Manager
David was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. He is married to Brenda and a father to a fabulous son Steven (USN). David is a veteran of the US Army & Retired US Coast Guard Auxiliary and brings those qualities obtained from both to Burton Signworks Inc. David attended the University of Tennessee and Tennessee Tech University where he majored in Mechanical Engineering.
He relocated to North Carolina in January of 2007 to head up the merger of Burton Signs and Southeastern Sign Works to form Burton Signworks Inc. He is a 30+ year veteran of the sign industry with in all phases of project management, contract negotiations, contract review, design, site survey, manufacturing, fabrication, estimating, installation, and engineering, as well as delivering bottom line results and high customer satisfaction in the industry. He has relationships with customers and sub-contractors across the United States. He is hands-on, self-motivated, and enjoys problem solving and challenges. He brings strong management and industry knowledge to the BSI team. “I really enjoy the challenge of setting up and managing how our company operates! I see a process and envision it working then act out my plan”. David currently oversees the day to day operations of Burton Signworks Inc. and is heavily involved in plant management and product flow through the plant.
David and his wife Brenda reside in Pilot Mountain, NC and enjoy working on their farm. David also enjoys training horses and riding as often as possible.
Carol Kirby, Human Resources
Carol was born in Mount Airy, NC and grew up in Pilot Mountain, NC where she currently resides. She has worked in the sign industry for 20 years starting out as an Administrative Assistant working up to Office Manager and now currently as Human Resources Director. She earned 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.
In her spare time, she and her daughter Kristen, enjoy being members of a Girl Scout Troop, not only learning new and exciting things, but having fun together. They enjoy playing outdoors and working around the yard and spending time with their family.
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 and going to church at Firehouse Ministries in Mount Airy, NC.
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.
Mark Green, Production Manager
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.
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.
Matthew Mingee, Senior Program Manager
Matthew was born and raised in Cleveland, OH. He is the Senior Project Manager at Burton Signworks. He has a wide range of experience in managing national petroleum, banking, and retail signage programs. Before entering the signage industry, Matthew earned a business degree from Cleveland State University and worked as a small business consultant in Cleveland, OH; with a focus on client servicing and retention. Matthew frequently attends seminars and training sessions to keep up to date on the latest technologies being utilized in the signage industry.
He and his wife Teresa relocated to Mount Airy, NC in November 2009, where they now live with their two dogs. His interests include golf, travel, and Cleveland’s sports teams. In his spare time, he dedicates himself to coaching children and volunteering with the rescue of puppy mill dogs.
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.
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 Peachtree City, GA.
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.
