Roger Williams, CEO of Harbinger, was selected as one of Northeast Florida’s most-accomplished chief executives when he was named an “Ultimate CEO” by the Jacksonville Business Journal.
The Ultimate CEO program honors chief executives who have had significant accomplishments in the past year. Williams, who has headed the 50-year-old sign company for the past four decades, was recognized for his work developing and patenting the sign industry’s first-ever LED Retrofit Kit, which has led to significant growth for Harbinger.
As LED lighting technology advanced and became less expensive, Williams knew that LEDs would revolutionize the sign industry. However, the challenge was how to convert existing fluorescent signs to LED quickly, while maintaining quality.
In 2010, Harbinger developed and patented the sign industry’s first-ever LED Retrofit Kit. The kit equips installers with everything needed to retrofit a sign from fluorescent to LED lighting onsite within one to three hours. Since that time, one of the world’s largest convenience-store chains rolled out the kit to nearly 2,000 sites. In addition, Harbinger tripled its revenue and number of employees, working to meet continued demand for the kit.
Other recent developments under Williams’ leadership include:
- New name and brand: In June 2010, Williams’ company changed its name from Quality Sign Company to Harbinger, better reflecting its commitment to innovation and forward thinking. The company also launched a new Web site showcasing its new brand.
- New facility: In September 2011, Harbinger moved its headquarters and manufacturing facility to a much larger location. The new 51,500-square-foot building features 35-foot high ceilings to accommodate larger signage and multiple loading docks for faster shipping.
- Regional expansion: In January 2012, Harbinger opened a call center in Dallas, Texas—its first location outside of Jacksonville.
