FASTSIGNS® CEO Receives Top Award from International Franchise Association (IFA)

Catherine Monson honored for mentoring women entrepreneurs; named to IFA board

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CARROLLTON, TX - FASTSIGNS International, Inc. CEO Catherine Monson was honored by the International Franchise Association (IFA) as the Bonny LeVine Award recipient during its 49th annual convention in San Diego. Additionally, Monson was one of six new members named to the IFA’s Board of Directors.

The Bonny LeVine Award is bestowed upon a female franchisor or franchisee who has demonstrated ability in franchising through contribution to the growth of the business; contributions to her community through board positions, volunteer work and activities that promote the professional advancement of women; and her contributions as a mentor to women in franchising. The award was created in 1994 in memory of IFA member and Postal Instant Press co-founder Bonny LeVine, recognizing her outstanding accomplishments in franchising and serving as a role model for women in the franchising community.

Founded nearly 50 years ago, IFA is the oldest and largest organization that works to protect, enhance and promote franchising. Its membership includes more 1,250 franchise systems, 11,000-plus franchisees and more than 500 firms that supply goods and services to the industry. Monson says she feels so honored to receive the Bonny LeVine award and have her name follow so many other prestigious female franchisees. “It is truly an honor to be recognized for my work in the franchise community. I enjoy what I do and hope that I have inspired and will continue to inspire women in business to believe that they can achieve anything they desire.”

Monson also hopes to bring some new ideas to the table as a member of the IFA’s Board of Directors. “Business is rapidly changing due in part to the economy, and as a member of the IFA Board of Directors, I take my role as a representative of the franchise community very seriously. I know that decisions I influence and make could impact franchisors and franchisees worldwide.”

Monson assumed the role of CEO of the worldwide sign and graphics franchise FASTSIGNS® in January 2009, taking over for company co-founder and former CEO, Gary Salomon. Ranked among the world’s leading franchise companies, FASTSIGNS operates with a simple concept of making the sign and graphics process fast and simple for the customer, while delivering a valuable business need. Her experience in franchising began in 1980 with printing franchise Sir Speedy, where she launched a career in franchise sales. She rose through the ranks over the next 16 years from western regional operations manager to vice president of franchise development to chief marketing officer. When Franchise Services, Inc., parent company of Sir Speedy, acquired European printing franchisor MultiCopy, Monson directed operations. She later became president and COO of PIP Printing in 1999. Monson has served as a role model to hundreds of PIP, MultiCopy and Sir Speedy employees and franchisees and helped them become more successful.

Monson participates in the IFA’s Research Committee, Women’s Franchise Committee, Franchise Relations Committee, Franchise Business Network meetings and IFA conventions as a presenter and is a contributing author to Franchising World magazine. She is an active volunteer and fundraiser for the YMCA and serves on the board of the SMEI Academy of Achievement, Psi Sigma Epsilon, and the Business Marketing Association.

About FASTSIGNS®
FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers use innovation and technology to make the sign buying process simple by offering consulting, design, production, file transfer, delivery, installation for a full range of custom sign and graphic products, including high resolution exhibit and display graphics, wide format banners and POP, site signs, window and vehicle graphics, decals and labels, safety and identification signage and floor graphics for interior and exterior use. For more information, visit www.fastsigns.com.

About the International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association, the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising, is the preeminent voice and acknowledged leader for the industry worldwide. Approaching a half-century of service with a growing membership of more than 1,300 franchise systems, 11,000-plus franchisees and more than 500 firms that supply goods and services to the industry, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising by advancing the values of integrity, respect, trust, commitment to excellence, honesty and diversity. For more information, visit the IFA Web site at www.franchise.org.

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