EXECUTIVES
Len Poyant
CEO
Len graduated from New Bedford Vocation High School, in the Industrial
Design Dept. in 1955 and began working full time at his father's Artcraft
Sign Co. While working during the day as an installer, he enrolled in night
classes and acquired both his journeyman and masters electrical licenses,
and attended Kinyon Campbell Business School to gain knowledge of
finance and accounting.
Artcraft Sign Company was founded in 1938 by Len's father, Maurice J.
Poyant. Len was attracted to his father's company having witnessed the
evolution of craftsmanship that resulted in the positive impact a successful
project would have on developing the image of the customer's business.
There was an incredible sense of pride and satisfaction for both the business
owner and Len in the completion of each creative project. In 1957, Maurice
changed the name of the company from Artcraft Sign Company to Poyant
Signs Incorporated.
In 1967 Len became general manager and salesman, and in 1970 he
became the President of Poyant Signs. Len held this post for 30 years.
Throughout his career Len has been very active in both the sign industry
and the community at large. He has held various offices within industry trade
groups including; The National Electrical Sign Association (now I.S.A.),
World Sign Associates, Massachusetts Sign Contractors Association and
the Rhode Island Sign Contractor's Association. Giving back to the
community has been important to Len as testament to his decision to enlist
in the U.S. Naval Reserve for 30 years, retiring as a Senior Chief Petty
Officer and his contributions as a general member and President of the
New Bedford Exchange Club.
Len continues to serve as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Poyant Signs
and continues his relationship with many loyal customers.
Contact Len at lpoyant@poyantsigns.com or 508.995.1777 ext 114.
Richard V. Poyant
President
Richard joined the company as a full time sales representative in 1982 after
earning an MBA from Northeastern University. Having been “born into a
family business," truly enjoying the creative process, and believing in bringing
customers to the door of their clients, Richard’s legacy to become the third
generation Poyant to lead the family business was inevitable.
Richard’s company experience began with sweeping floors and washing
trucks, and carried through his high school and college years when he
learned both service and installation first hand. These opportunities provided
Richard an appreciation and understanding of the aspects of the family business
from the ground up.
The company has continued to grow in sales, territory and customer base
focusing on a family tradition of continuous investment in the business through
staff development, state of the art equipment, and facilities improvements.
Currently Richard serves on the Annual Greater New Bedford United Way
Campaign Cabinet, is Vice President and Board Member of Downtown New
Bedford Inc., is a member of the Business Advisory Council for St. Luke’s
Hospital and is a long standing member of both the New Bedford and Fall River
Chamber of Commerce.
Contact Richard at rpoyant@poyantsigns.com or 508.995.1777 ext 115.
Victor Gonsalves
Controller
Responsible for the Financial, Information Systems, and Purchasing divisions of
the company, Victor joined Poyant Signs in 2000, bringing with him over ten
years of experience as a Controller/CFO, as well as over twenty years of
experience in manufacturing operations.
Prior to joining Poyant Signs, he was responsible for development and oversight
of the Financial and Information Systems for seven US divisions of Control
Techniques, an electronics firm headquartered in Wales, UK. Previous to Control
Techniques, he served at The O’Day Sailboat Corporation, starting out of college
as a cost accountant and leaving the company as Director of Finance/CFO.
Born in New Bedford, Gonsalves received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting
from Stonehill College and received his MBA from Bryant College.
Contact Victor at vlgonsalves@poyantsigns.com or 508.995.1777 ext 130.
Jason Fredette
Director of Design and Project Management
Jason joined Poyant Signs in 2005 and is responsible for the design,
estimating and project management teams. They collectively strive to
provide intelligent creative solutions that reflect and enhance our client's
image and the user experience, while respecting the importance of
economics, execution, and quality.
Jason has over 13 years of experience within the signage industry, with a
concentration on complex architectural and signage elements found
within retail and mixed use developments. He has worked closely with
many of the leading design and construction firms within the New England
market. As a result, Jason has extensive experience turning client's unique
ideas into real solutions that provide value, quality, and longevity.
Jason's began his career as a designer for Whitney Veigas, a custom
manufacturer specializing in high-end interior, exterior and way-finding
signage programs for corporate, institutional and healthcare clients.
In 1996 Jason joined General Sign to manage the design department.
He was promoted to Manager of Operations and through his tenure at
General Sign, managed the design, fabrication, and installation of sign
programs for several premier retail developments throughout New England,
such as; Solomon Pond Mall, Cape Cod Mall, Mall of New Hampshire,
Cambridgeside Galleria, and The Loop.
Jason was recruited to SRP Sign, Inc. in 2002, as the General Manager. In this
role, Jason directly managed the design development , value engineering,
fabrication, and installation of unique themed environments, involving
sculptural elements, light fixtures, architectural building components, and
signage, for clients such as Legal Sea Foods, The Kells and Soho.
Jason received his BS in Industrial Design from Wentworth Institute of
Technology. He also holds an Unrestricted MA Construction Supervisor's
license. When not working, Jason will be relaxing at home with his wife
and son, and quite possibly enjoying a cold pint of homebrew.
Contact Jason at jfredette@poyantsigns.com or 508.995.1777 ext 153.
John Sharples
Operations Manager
John joined Poyant Signs in 1984, bringing a strong background in metal and
mechanical work, as well as automotive paint systems. He soon moved up to
foreman of the Paint and Custom Finish Department while training in
fabrication and graphics.
In 1999, John took over as Operations Supervisor and in 2001, became the
Fabrication Department Manager and Safety Officer. John has
received OSHA and management training and as Safety Officer conducts on-
going safety training instruction to the Fabrication staff and Installation crews.
In 2003, John was promoted to Operations Manager, responsible for custom
and production fabrication, channel letter department, routing department,
graphics department, loading, fleet maintenance and facilities.
In 2004, John initiated Lean Manufacturing training and techniques for the
entire company as an adjunct to continuous improvement initiatives. The result
has been increased productivity by the staff through new material handling
procedures and technology updates for inventory supply management.
John Sharples embodies the true “company man” and has remained focused
on quality, efficiency and reliable delivery to Poyant Signs’ customers since the
first day he walked through the door.
Contact John at jsharples@poyantsigns.com or 508.995.1777 ext 135.
Joe Pellerin
Assistant Operations Manager
Joe Pellerin brings over 30 years of experience in the Graphic Arts Industry. Joe
started his career in the sign industry in 1976 with a two-year stint at SignCrafters
in New Bedford.
In 1978, Joe became employed with McLaughlin Research Corp of Middletown
RI, a Department of Defense contractor, as a graphic designer and technical
illustrator. He developed isometric and trimetric drawings for the US Navy Fleet.
In 1988, Joe was promoted to Manager of the Graphic Arts Department responsible
for twenty eight associates.
In 1998, Joe joined the Poyant team in the Graphics Department and in November
of 2005 was promoted to Assistant Operations Manager, responsible for the
Graphics Department and Interior Signage Department.
Contact Joe at jpellerin@poyantsigns.com or 508.995.1777 ext 142.