Boren Honored with Kirk L. Brimley Distinguished Service Award From International Sign Expo News 2007

Kozell "Kozy" Boren was honored with the Kirk L. Brimley Distinguished Service Award, ISA's most prestigious award, at Friday's Keynote Luncheon. Kirk L. Brimley, the award's namesake himself, was present to witness the honor. ISA gives the award annually to an ISA member who demonstrated outstanding dedication and service to the association and the sign industry, and has made significant and substantial contributions to the sign industry over an extended period of time. ISA Chairwoman Teresa M. Young announced the award presentation. "Kozy has been a tireless advocate for the sign industry," said Young. "His companies have contributed, on average, $100,000 per year for the last 10 years to research and fund projects expanding the science of signage and promoting the importance of signage." At the age of 27, Boren and partner Conrad Escalante founded Superior Outdoor Display on Long Beach, Calif. They began by building arrows that attached to existing signs with their motto, "You add customers to your business when you add color and action to your sign." Kozy's son, Tom Boren, accepted the award on his father's behalf. "The best way I can describe my dad is to say that he is an innovator, not an imitator," he said. "He always looks at ways to change things for the better."