Meet the Installers/PDAA Committee
Eric Kahle currently serves as Chief Revenue Officer for Visual Marking Systems, a custom graphics provider of OEM product identification, vehicle wraps, wide-format graphics, and decorated apparel, located in Twinsburg, Ohio. Eric manages the Sales and Customer Relations teams at VMS and is responsible for revenue growth, while optimizing the business’s bottom line. Eric joined the company in 2017 and is in his 6th year of a 10-year management trainee program which will prepare him to serve as CEO of the company upon his father, Dolf Kahle’s retirement. In addition to his responsibilities at VMS, Eric serves as VP of Operations of Badlime Promo & Apparel, VMS’s sister company, which specializes in screen print, embroidery, digitally printed solutions, and fulfillment. Since the company’s inception in 2018, Eric has managed production and administrative functions while working to develop a strong team to run the day-to-day operations of the business.
Eric graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a focus in management and finance. After college, he worked in operations at Bausch and Lomb and then in logistics. Eric is a PDAA Master Certified Installer, sat on the Next Generation Committee for SGIA as a co-chair, and received the Screen-Printing Magazine Rising Star award in 2019. Eric enjoys spending time with his wife, Brittany and their two-year old daughter, Rose.
Fadi Ballut is the President of Applied Graphics & Signs, with nearly a decade of experience in visual marketing and graphic installation. Fadi’s expertise in installation services covers a diverse range of areas, including retail displays, corporate branding installations, and vehicle graphics.
Recognizing the immense potential and demand for graphic installation services, Fadi decided to shift his career focus from print production and apparel and delve into the installation side of the industry. Under the guidance of an experienced mentor, he honed his skills and expertise in this specialized field, acquiring in-depth knowledge of the intricacies involved in effective visual marketing.
Motivated to create his own path and impact the industry, Fadi founded Applied Graphics & Signs in Southern California, committed to excellence, customer satisfaction, and dedication to delivering the ultimate visual marketing solutions.
Jim Miller is the co-chief visionary at Miller Decals, LLC, the largest exclusive vinyl installation company in Atlanta, Georgia. Jim has been installing vinyl since 1979. For four decades he has performed an extensive array of roles as a competitor and/or judge, TV show cast member, board member, brand representative for numerous trade shows, teacher, technician, and Allstar wrapper straight out of Compton, CA. He is known globally for his ability to make wrapping “look so easy”. In 2016 he became the 1st American to win the title of World Wrap Master. At home he is surrounded by women; his wife, Starla and three daughters, Brittney (24), Kiley (17) and Audrey (14).
Ken Burns is the President/CEO of Axis Graphic Installations Inc. He is a native of Boston, MA and studied Business Management in the mid 90’s. He has consulted, developed and managed multiple Fortune 500 companies. In 2006, he left his career to pursue the art of installing vehicle wraps. Ken saw the value of this niche industry and decided to bring his knowledge of large corporate structure to a newer industry that was mostly comprised of independent subcontractors. He started his first installation team in South Florida in 2009 and has since developed teams in Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Beyond vehicle wraps, Ken and his teams have become proficient in all types of sign and graphic installations.
Kristin Lanzarone is the owner-operator of WrapStar Pro a vehicle wrap and wide format printing company. Kristin has a diverse background in C+ Cisco Networking, Degree in Criminal Justice & Interior Design, Local Sheriff Academy Certificate, Website Building, Motorsports Promoter, Media & Marketing and Graphic Design. With her creditable knowledge she found her passion in vinyl graphics starting in the local Motorsports industry which gave her many opportunities to work with teams in NASCAR, Indy Lights, Formula Mazda and the local grassroot racers.
Kristin started WrapStar Pro in 2013 with no professional training and ran her business on a self-taught bases studying how vinyl works. In 2018, Kristin completed her first training/certification with PDAA earning the Master Certified Installer badge. Since then, Kristin has grown working her way through the industry by actively serving on the PDAA committee & Women in Print Alliance.
Today, Kristin's wrap business is thriving more than ever and is sharing her knowledge and skills with other up and coming installers. She will be launching a new addition to WrapStar Pro as a training facility and certification program for the grassroot installers.
"The expert in everything was once a beginner"—Helen Hayes
Born in Louisville, KY., married to Cindy Richart with 3 boys, Brody 12, Chase 9, and Daxton 4. I grew up playing basketball my whole life and still play once a week. I also coach elementary basketball for my sons’ school. I also enjoy playing golf, working out, and taking care of our landscaping. Working outside is very therapeutic for me.
Favorite motivational line: Hard work brings Luck!!
I have over 25 years of experience in the sign and graphic industry and started laying vinyl when I was 19 years old. We started Digital EFX Wraps in 2004 with my business partner Dallas Fowler. We have been in 3 buildings since we first opened our business.
- We have been training and doing live demos at trade shows for Roland for over 13 years
- Member of the PDAA since and on the board since 2018
- Member of the M.O.B (Masters of Branding)
- 3M Preferred Installer
Paul Roba is currently an independent consultant available to provide direction and assistance in the use of pressure sensitive material and their conversion and installation. He provides over 30 years experience in the graphics industry working with industry leaders in printing, converting, application, training, certification programs, and product demonstrations.
Most recently, he was the Wide Format Printing OEM Relationship Manager for the Avery Dennison Corporation and a long time enthusiast and leader of commercial graphics & installation. He was responsible for the qualification, testing, and publication of warranty documents for the Integrated Component System Warranty Program of Avery Dennison. In addition, he maintained an open dialogue between printer OEMs and Avery Dennison for product development, and strategic growth opportunities.
Paul had directed the North American Technical Staff of Avery Dennison, and has been instrumental in providing educational and marketing programs to channel partners, PSPs, and ultimate end users of commercial graphic self-adhesive materials. He partnered with Justin Pate in the development of the Avery Dennison Wrap Training Program, and other company focused programs like Graphics University, Additionally, Paul has judged a variety of graphic design and installation competitions contests including Wrap Like A King, Wrap Masters, and other events.
Rich Thompson, founder, and principle with AdGraphics, a premier Large Format Digital Imaging & Signage Service Bureau since 1992.
Rich earned his bachelor’s degree from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI., and his master’s degree in Cross Cultural Studies and Anthropology from Fuller Seminary, Pasadena, CA.
Rich was a faculty member with The Big Picture Conference and is an Advisory Board member for Keiser University. He is also one of original members of the Editorial Advisory Board with Digital Graphics Magazine and is currently on their Technical Advisory Board. Rich has been a consultant for both 3M’s Commercial Graphics Customer Advisory Panel and HP’s Customer Advisory Group. You can find links to some of the articles he has published in his LinkedIn profile.
He has served on the Board of Directors with DPI (Digital Printing & Imaging Association) and FGA (Fabric Graphics Association). He is a founding member of GIGA (Global Imaging Graphics Association). Rich is currently Chairman of the Board for SGIA (Specialty Graphics & Imaging Association).
Among the many accolades, a few that stand out are the Pioneer Award for being the first company to complete a full vehicle wrap using digital printing. Being selected as the first ever FESPA (Federation of European Specialty Printing Association) International Hall of Fame inductee, as the world’s top printer as selected by his peers from over 40 countries. And, Disney’s Innovation Award as Supplier of the year in 2014.