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Sign Industry Leader Kevin Stotmeister Dies at 72

He spent 40 years at Federal Heath Sign Company and left behind a legacy of civic service.

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Kevin S. Stotmeister, who built a career in the sign industry spanning four decades, died on Sunday, Dec. 5 at the age of 72.

Stotmeister was the former president and CEO of Federal Heath Sign Company (Euless, TX) and retired in January of 2020. Later that year, he received the Kirk L. Brimley Distinguished Service Award from the International Sign Association for his significant contributions to the sign, graphics and visual communications industry, which include his work on the boards of directors for both the ISA and the California Sign Association. He also served as a member of the editorial advisory board for Signs of the Times magazine.

Kevin Stotmeister

His volunteer and civic efforts extend beyond the industry, having served the City of Oceanside, CA as a commissioner and as past chair of the city’s economic development commission. He also held roles with the local public television station, school district and a hospital foundation.

After his retirement, Stotmeister and his wife, Ellen, moved to Texas to be closer to their two married daughters and their families.

Born in Colleyville, TX, Stotmeister joined the sign industry in 1980 after eight years on active duty as an officer with the US Navy Civil Engineer Corps. He was drawn into the industry because of the “variety of the work,” he said. “Every day it seemed like it was different. The variety kept it exciting and made it fun to come to work. If it’s not fun, you shouldn’t be doing it.”

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He began at Federal Sign (as the company was then known) as an engineering manager based in the Chicago area. After several regional promotions, he was promoted to vice president in 1988 and later president. When Federal Sign and Heath Sign merged in 2003, Stotmeister was named CEO.

During his time leading Federal Heath, the company evolved into one of the largest national sign companies. “We were always one of the largest companies in the industry,” he said. “But in the early 1990s, we really developed into a national sign company, as opposed to a big company with a lot of offices. We changed our strategic focus. That was hard to do, and we did it very successfully. It’s gratifying to have been part of that.”

Sid Rasnick, the current president and CEO of Federal Heath, reflected on Stotmeister’s impact on the industry and beyond.

“We are greatly saddened by the passing of Kevin Stotmeister,” he said. “He was an industry titan, visionary leader, a devoted father and grandfather, and a good friend. Our management team and employees, as well as the many people he worked with and mentored over the years, mourn his loss. We extend our sympathies to his family, who meant the world to him.”

No public services are scheduled at this time.

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