434.985.7446
Ideal timing and the proven art of networking led Jon Herring to Performance Signs in 2003. He and the team meshed immediately, and Jon has worked at the Charlottesville, VA-area sign company ever since.
“I had just graduated from James Madison University with a degree in industrial design. My brother was good friends with Robbie Morris throughout school—and Robbie needed help. I met with him, and we hit it off right away,” Jon says. “When I was first hired, I was essentially a one-person operation. I designed, printed or installed vinyl signs and vehicle wraps and did whatever was needed, depending on the day. As our team grew and production requests increased, I started focusing on print project management.”
Jon is a 3M Preferred Graphics Installer, and he’s ready to jump in if his colleagues need a hand with custom wrap installation. “I’m trained to help with big projects or fill in when the team is shorthanded, but the majority of my days are spent managing projects and production workflows and supervising the printing process.”
Jon operates three large-format printers to turn out banners, interior and exterior signage, portable sign solutions, highway signs and VA vehicle wraps. “We create and install a lot of vinyl wraps for corporate fleets and emergency vehicles,” says Jon, “But we also produce small decals with branding and logos, as well as custom stickers that identify a company’s products.”
While Jon likes most aspects of his job, he especially enjoys tackling vehicle wrap design and production challenges. There is an art to measuring and producing decals that precisely fit an automobile’s unique contours. Jon, a self-professed math nerd, says he likes the measuring and precision of making wraps fit.
“I love to see how a vinyl wrap can transform a blemished paint job into something that looks brand new,” he says. Customers and co-workers agree Jon is a master of his craft with a knack for spotting and correcting the slightest misalignment or color mismatch.
“Jon’s extensive knowledge of the color spectrum serves our clients well when he supervises the print production process. He is gifted with the unique ability to catch off-color hues, print panel alignment and job nesting,” says Performance Signs’ owner Katherine Morris. “Jon and his family enjoy time together at home and on their farm, and we consider Jon and his wife and kids part of our family, too.”
Jon prioritizes quality time with his wife and four children on their family farm when he’s not printing vehicle wraps for Performance Signs or managing the team’s busy production schedule. “We have three girls, ages 12, 9, and 6, a 1-year-old boy. And a black lab,” says Jon. “This year, my wife is homeschooling the kids, and they are all enjoying a lower-stress, more relaxed schedule.”
The Herring girls play recreational soccer, and Jon plays tennis and basketball when he finds the time. “I also like to garden, and we are currently installing solar panels at home,” he said. “The kids and home projects keep us busy, so we don’t travel much. But after the pandemic has resolved, we’d like to visit Germany where my brother and his family are stationed with the U.S. Air Force.”
When the coronavirus pandemic began last spring, Jon worried Performance Signs would struggle like other small businesses, especially during extended shutdowns. “We saw a drop in shop projects at first,” he says, “ but it didn’t take long for things to pick up.” The company is deemed an essential business by the State of Virginia, and it has remained operational throughout the original lockdowns and beyond.
“We had contracts for fire, rescue and police vehicle wraps that were already funded, so we still had work,” he said. “Honestly, we haven’t made many changes in the shop. We have plenty of space to socially distance, and we wear masks to keep everyone safe.” The Central VA vehicle wrap company has also instituted no-contact pickup and dropoff options to protect customers and employees.
According to Jon, Robbie and Katherine Morris exhibit a selfless concern for Performance Signs’ employees and clients in everything they do. “It’s one of the reasons I’ve been here over 15 years,” he reflects. “I like the job, the people and the environment. It’s a relaxed atmosphere with a team that’s easy to talk to. We’re like a family here.”
As the economy continues to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, high-impact signs, vehicle wraps and marketing tools remind customers your business is there for the long haul. Refreshing your brand is one way to revamp your 2021 marketing strategy, and Jon Herring and the Performance Signs team can help. Ask the team about redesigned logos, company branding services, temporary and permanent sign designs, fleet advertising and custom vinyl wrap installation.
Our Charlottesville, VA-region sign and vehicle wrap shop creates striking signage and mobile advertising with a high return on investment, whether you are a small business, large enterprise, municipality or first-responder team. Connect online to revitalize your brand and move your marketing into a thriving post-COVID economy. Call 434.985.7446 to schedule a consultation with our representatives or request vinyl vehicle decals, signs, branding services and marketing tools!