FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2014

DALLAS/FORT WORTH – On the June episode of KERA’s CEO, host Lee Cullum talks with Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., about how she is positioning the company for expansion well beyond its 550 worldwide locations. Monson details the difficulties she faced taking over the helm during the depths of the recession. “The first thing I did coming on board in January 2009 was spend a lot of time in the field,” Monson said. “I conducted a 28-city town hall tour … and asked, ‘What are we doing well? What could we do better?’”

Learn how the CEO got a unique perspective of the company on the reality TV show Undercover Boss. Monson also shares strategies that helped her gain a disciplined approach to harness the power of positive thinking.

KERA’s CEO features insightful discussions with successful North Texas business leaders from the corporate and not-for-profit sectors about what it takes to make a company successful in today’s global marketplace and changing economy. The June episode featuring Catherine Monson airs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 6, on KERA TV with rebroadcasts at 10:30 p.m. on Monday, June 9, and at noon on Sunday, June 22. CEO also can be heard at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 8, on KERA 90.1 FM. Following the initial on-air broadcast, the half-hour program will be available on www.kera.org/ceo. Previous CEO episodes are available on demand at www.kera.org/ceo.

CEO is sponsored by Executive Education at the Naveen School of Management, The University of Texas at Dallas, Hodges Capital Management and Sewell Automotive Companies. More information about FASTSIGNS International, Inc., can be found at www.fastsigns.com.

ABOUT CATHERINE MONSON

Catherine Monson is the CEO of FASTSIGNS® International, Inc., the worldwide franchisor for the more than 550 FASTSIGNS^® sign and graphic centers located in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE^®). With over 30 years of experience in the franchise industry with Franchise Services, Inc., prior to coming to FASTSIGNS, Catherine was instrumental in advancing the processes and functions of the franchise system while also focusing on how to improve franchise partner satisfaction. She has extensive experience in operations, franchise development, sales, training and marketing/communications. In 2009, she was the recipient of the IFA’s prestigious Bonny LeVine Award, given annually to a female franchisor in recognition for her 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. In July 2010, she was honored by the Dallas Business Journal as one of the top 25 Women Industry Leaders in the Dallas Metroplex and in 2012, Catherine appeared on the two-time Emmy Award-nominated reality serious, Undercover Boss, to learn new ways to further advance the FASTSIGNS brand.

ABOUT CEO

Host Lee Cullum conducts insightful discussions with successful North Texas business leaders from the corporate and not-for-profit sectors about what it takes to make a company successful in today’s global marketplace and changing economy. CEO episodes are available on-demand at www.kera.org/ceo.

ABOUT KERA

KERA is a not-for-profit public media organization that serves the people of North Texas. The station broadcasts to the fourth-largest population area in the United States. KERA produces original multimedia content, carries the best in national and international public television and radio programs, and provides online resources at www.kera.org. The station’s extensive coverage of the arts can be found at www.artandseek.org. KERA-TV broadcasts on Channel 13.1. KERA WORLD broadcasts on 13.2. KERA-FM broadcasts on 90.1 in Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton, 88.3 in Wichita Falls, 100.1 in Tyler and 99.3 in Sherman. The music station KXT 91.7 FM is also streamed online at www.kxt.org.