AGNEW/CONDRAY EXCELLENCE AWARD

The MSSA Past Presidents Committee created an award to honor and recognize individuals who have contributed to the on-premise sign industry and have been very influential, committed, and active in MSSA’s growth.  In honor of two of MSSA’s founding fathers, Tom Agnew and Russell Condray, this award was named “Agnew/Condray Excellence Award”.

The first “Agnew/Condray Excellence Award” was presented by 2007 Past Presidents Director, Debbie Craig, to Alton Herring at MSSA annual membership luncheon.  Alton Herring has been associated with the sign industry for over 50 years. 

Past Presidents Director, Bill Gatlin presented Johnny Williams with the honor of being the second recipient of “Agnew/Condray Excellence Award” during MSSA 2008 Annual Membership Luncheon.  Johnny began his career in the sign industry with Reece Supply Company August 1, 1968 as a delivery driver/warehouse worker and in 1983, was promoted to General Manager.

The third Agnew/Condray Excellence Award” was presented by 2001-02 Past Presidents, Bill Gatlin, to Hal McCarter. Hal McCarter started his career in the sign business with Tubelite in 1952 as a sales representative and in 1969 with his partner Leon Jaffe bought the Tubelite Company.  Since that purchase, Tubelite has grown from 5 locations with about 5,000 products and now have 9 locations domestically and 25 internationally offering over 20,000 products for the “Sign, Screen Print and Digital Industries”.

Past President Cal Holt presented Elvis Davis as the 2010 recipient of “Agnew/Condray Excellence Award”.  Elvis is a man that stands out where ever he goes, not only because of his physical stature and his name, but also by the size of his heart.  Elvis moved to Memphis in 1959, and upon arriving applied for a job at the unemployment office.  He was sent to Service Sign Company to work which lasted sixteen years.  In 1976, Elvis started his own sign business, Custom Sign Service.  Servicing of signs was the original intent of the business, but too many calls requesting custom built signs were received.  Therefore, the name of the sign business was changed to Custom Signs of Memphis, Inc in 1984.  He owned Custom Signs of Memphis, Inc until 2001 at which time the business was sold to Mark Pridmore of Mid-South Signs.