Fastsigns Receives Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award

CARROLLTON, Texas — September 8, 2016 — Fastsigns International, a leader in signs, graphics and visual communications, was honored with the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award at a ceremony at the Pentagon on August 26th. Fastsigns International Business Consultant and Air Force Reservist Stephen MacKenzie and his family were in attendance with CEO Catherine Monson, who accepted the award on behalf of Fastsigns International, MacKenzie nominated his employer for the award because of the personal and financial support provided during his most recent deployment overseas.

The Freedom Award is the highest recognition presented by the Department of Defense to employers for their exemplary support of National Guard and Reserve members. Fastsigns International was one of 15 employers from across the nation receiving the prestigious award.

“We were honored to be in Washington, with the other award winners and their guests,” notes Catherine Monson, CEO of Fastsigns International. “There were very moving stories of the sacrifice of the citizen soldiers and their families, as well as of the great support and caring by their employers and coworkers. My hope is that more companies will be motivated to do the same thing for the veterans, service men and women, reservists and National Guard members they employ.”

The 14 other recipients include: Alaska Airlines, Albuquerque Police Department, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Burford Corp., Carolinas Healthcare System, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Delmarva Veteran Builders, Hope Valley Industries, Idaho State Police, Lowe’s, Maryland State Police, Prairie Grove Consolidated School District 46, Seattle Fire Department and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

Over 10% of Fastsigns franchisees are military veterans. Veterans possess a number of valued skills and a wealth of experience essential to corporate positions and successful franchise business ownership. As part of the commitment to veterans and to the military, Fastsigns International offers incentives to military veterans, including a reduced franchisee fee and a savings on royalties and advertising fees for the first year.

Fastsigns International has also been recognized as a top franchise for military veterans by leading publications including USA Today, G.I. Jobs magazine and Military Times magazine, due to the recognition for the company’s financial discounts for military veterans, corporate support and outstanding growth.

About Fastsigns
Fastsigns International is the largest sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 615 independently owned and operated Fastsigns centers in nine countries including the U.S., Canada, England, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Grand Cayman, Mexico and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE).

Fastsigns locations provide comprehensive sign and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points including décor, events, wearables and marketing materials.

Source: Fastsigns.