The International Sign Assn. (ISA) awarded the 2009 Kirk L. Brimley Distinguished Award to Ebbie Phillips, president and CEO of Tyson Sign Co. (Myrtle Beach, SC). Each year, ISA presents the Brimley Award to an ISA member (a sign professional) who demonstrates outstanding dedication and service to the association and the on-premise industry.

Phillips is the only person to have served twice as ISA chairman. He helped shape the organization’s strategic direction. His wife, Mary, said Phillips was drawn to the industry straight out of college at the University of South Carolina by the many facets it presented to a young man just starting his career.

“Ebbie’s got a great mind for building things, and he’s driven by a natural curiosity to figure out how things work,” May said. “The fact that the sign business offered so many challenges, from the day-to-day operations of a company to the mechanical engineering and fabricating part of the job really piqued his interest.

“There were many people along the way who saw Ebbie’s potential and his good characteristics, so it was a natural evolution for him to take what he has learned and give it back to others he sees who also want to learn and to do better,” Mary said. “He sees it as a way to keep this level of quality and professionalism going forward from generation to generation.”