At Starfish Signs and Graphics, our team is the key to our success. Our employees are experts in design, fabrication and installation, and we are all dedicated to high quality products and the complete satisfaction of our customers.
Laura Reilly
CEO
Starfish Signs and Graphics is woman-owned business with Laura as our CEO and majority shareholder. Laura plays a key role in setting the vision for the Starfish Team, and in building and motivating the team on an ongoing basis. Laura also embodies the expertise and tenacity that we bring to the permitting process – in fact, Laura will be your most ardent advocate in getting the permit for the exact sign that you want on your building. Laura also spends a lot of her time and energy on work with nonprofit and community organizations. She is active in the Rotary, the Chamber, The Ocean Institute, and Casa Romantica, to name just a few organizations. You may well find her out and about in San Clemente and South Orange County volunteering at local functions and fundraisers. Prior to Starfish Signs, Laura had a long career in Occupational Therapy, working in both orthopedic clinics and assisted living facilities. It was this empathetic, hands-on career that forms the foundation for Laura’s commitment to customer care. Laura is committed to understanding your requirements, and doing everything possible to ensuring that the Starfish Team delivers on all aspects of your project.
Mike Reilly
President
Mike is the operations mastermind here at Starfish Signs & Graphics. Through the use of Lean Manufacturing and other continuous improvement methodologies, he has created a dynamic culture that values continuous learning and improvement, and a commitment to excellence. Although Mike’s Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering doesn’t exactly involve sign manufacturing, Mike’s attention to detail, and his skill at complex project management serves our customers well. In fact, maybe that is why we particularly gravitate toward novel and complex projects. We are committed to building what you want, and if that involves a few experiments along the way, that is fine too. We have built more than one prototype, to test out new ideas, to refine a design, and to ‘value-engineer’ a project to meet a customer’s budget target. As a former Pittsburgh native, Mike loves the Pittsburgh Steelers and will be happy to talk with you about their prospects for the upcoming season.
Nicolette Burns
Lead Graphic Designer And Starfish Team Leader
Nicolette is Starfish’s Lead Designer, and Production Team Leader. Nicolette brings a breadth of training and experience to her position. Her university education began with a Bachelor’s Degree from UC Santa Barbara in Communication and Multimedia Writing in 2013. Epitomizing the motto of continuous learning and development, Nicolette then completed an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design at Saddleback College in 2014. At Starfish Signs, she specializes in working with clients to design novel, custom signs. Nicolette’s sign design portfolio at Starfish Signs is very broad, and it includes lobby signs, building and monument signs, vehicle graphics and trade show graphics. Nicolette is particularly skilled at working with customers to discern and understand their vision, and then to translate that vision to a compelling design.
Outside of the office, Nicolette enjoys spending time by the beach and taking more classes at Saddleback, and she loves cooking and visiting local restaurants.
Jim Carlise
Master Craftsman
Prior to joining the Starfish team in 2013, Jim spent more than 15 years in other sign fabrication, printing and installation positions. Although Jim can fabricate signs using almost any material, he has particular expertise in working with wood. From hand-finishing sandblasted wood signs to putting a furniture quality finish on redwood and cedar, Jim has the skills needed to create truly handcrafted signs. Our Design Team can envision almost anything, which means that Jim has the job of translating those designs to a physical reality, something he does quite well. Jim has developed significant expertise as a CNC Router operator. Starfish’s MultiCam machine is quoted as being able to rout to within 0.001”, but it takes a skilled operator to truly make that happen. From aluminum to wood to acrylic, Jim combines the precision of our CNC machine, with hand-painting and finishing to create signs that truly represent each client’s unique brand.
And Jim’s skills extend well beyond sign-making. He designed and built a 27’ foot wood boat from scratch, and that boat has been seaworthy for 21 years. And one other interesting fact about Jim: prior to the sign business, he worked for a number of years as a commercial fisherman. So if you ever want to know the weather forecast, ask Jim!
Jim epitomizes the Starfish culture – he builds signs that are truly custom, based on the use of high quality materials, cutting edge tools, and a focus on quality that brings it all together into a one of a kind finished product.
Steve Sheppard
Installation Technician
Steve is a Starfish sign Installation Technician, handling vinyl and all types of interior and exterior signs. Since joining the Starfish Team, Steve has become somewhat of a specialist at interior lobby and reception area signs. His attention to detail works well in these critical locations. In addition to sign installation, Steve is a seasoned print production graphic designer and sign maker with over 15 years of experience. Steve’s resume includes designing, creating and hanging all manner of signs built from of a variety of materials and hung on an array of surfaces. Steve also has a class A license and has professional experience as a commercial driver navigating all over the map, which comes in handy as an installer here at Starfish as we have customers all over Southern California. As well as traversing the roads of California and installing signs, Steve specializes in great and friendly customer service and strives to make every customers’ new sign or graphic installation an enjoyable experience. When not installing signs for Starfish, Steve enjoys time at the park or the beach playing with his dog Zooey, motorcycle adventuring, catching great movies, finding delectable dining, working on his yard, or just enjoying a good book.
Cameron Thompson
Installation Technician
Cameron is the newest member of the Starfish Installation Team, with a specialization in electrical signs – installation, service and removals. Cameron is our hands-on problem-solving specialist, with prior training in CAD-assisted industrial design and rapid prototyping. Cameron has completed courses and accreditations at the Universal Technical Institute in Sacramento, Irvine Valley College in Irvine, and the Advanced Technical Educational Park in Tustin, CA. Cameron’s prior work experience includes work as a CNC machine operator, and a collision repair and refinish technician. In addition to his sign installation responsibilities, Cameron has the lead in handling all final inspections for permitted signs. In addition to answering any questions related to how the signs were installed, and their compliance with all codes and requirements, Cameron occasionally needs to use his ‘charming personality’, to ensure that even the most harried and grumpy City Inspectors are fully satisfied with the professionalism of our work!
Linda Kornhaber
Project Manager
Linda is Starfish’s Project Manager. She graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a bachelor’s degree in Literature. At Starfish Signs, Linda specializes in managing complex projects including interior and exterior signage for multi-family residential buildings and office HQ and tenant improvement projects. Linda enjoys working with customers to ensure timelines and expectations are met. When not in the office, Linda likes to read, travel, and take her toddler to Disneyland!
Matt Rinehart
Designer
Matt joined the Starfish Signs Team on a full-time basis in late 2019. Prior to that, Matt worked with us as an intern, learning the basics of print production and fabrication while studying at California State University Fullerton. Matt has since graduated with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and elected to continue with Starfish Signs. His knowledge of design principles and industry standard programs make him a helpful addition to the team in proofing sign concepts and preparing quality production files. Matt’s interest in art began at an early age with a knack for drawing and painting. This later developed into a deep appreciation for graphic design and brand/merchandising. In his spare time, Matt enjoys hanging with family and friends, exercising, and designing graphics on and off the clock.
Inna DiNicola
Administrative Specialist
Inna is our newest team member. She graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Her background includes project administration, finance and business operations in construction & development, professional services and automotive industries. When not at work, Inna enjoys travel, cooking, art, theatre & music and spending time with family.