When Maribeth Moriarty learned that her company, New England Sign Services (NESS), had been selected as one of six companies the Boston Red Sox would recognize in 2008 through the America’s Best Diverse Suppliers® Program, she was thrilled.  For Moriarty, it was the latest positive development in a 50-year-plus relationship between her family's sign company and the Boston Red Sox.  Moriarty responded to the news by recalling a series of projects undertaken by her family for the Red Sox.  We decided to invite Moriarty to tell her story to the world via our publication.  Below is the tale of an amazing and enduring partnership, one that we consider A Sign of Love.

Dear Dan, Publisher of diversityinbusiness.com,

The partnership between New England Sign Services Inc. and the Boston Red Sox goes back long before I was around to even remember. The sign company’s name has changed over the years, but the knowledge behind the operation has always been my dad, Ron Canning.  I am one of his six children, four of which have worked under “Dad’s direction” at one time or another.  I, however, am the one who is continuing the family legacy with the Red Sox.

My dad started in the sign business in 1952 as an apprentice sheet metal worker with Donnelly Advertising Sign Co., a sign company that worked throughout the Boston and New England areas. The Boston Red Sox often called upon Donnelly to handle signage at Fenway Park.  My dad had actually helped build the original green monster wall at Fenway.

My dad worked hard at Donnelly and eventually became its operations manager.  He was in charge of overseeing and expediting jobs from beginning to end. During his 25 years with Donnelly, he learned the importance of quality work – and for my dad that meant getting things done on time and done right.

Shortly after Mr. Donnelly died in 1975, the trustees liquidated the company. One of the subsidiary companies, Donnelly Electric, was acquired by its president who changed its name to DEMCO.  My father was invited to join the new entity, with the understanding that one day he would become a co-owner. Five years later, my dad became one of DEMCO’s four partners.

The new entity continued to do work for the Red Sox up until the recession of 1989 and 1990 when DEMCO Sign Co. was forced to close its doors. 

In 1991, my dad decided to start his own sign business.  He was able to keep many of the clients he had established over the years, including the Red Sox. With the financial help and support of his family, and with two of his sons at his side - both are union electricians - New England Sign Services (NESS) was born.

The name of the company didn’t really matter much to the Boston Red Sox. As far as they were concerned, it was still, “Call Ron Canning, he can get it done.”

Not much has changed since my dad started his own company, except today the Red Sox say, “Call Maribeth Moriarty, she can get it done.”

I am very proud of making a good name for myself in the world of Major League Baseball. I learned how to do that from my dad, who basically taught me everything I know about the sign business; and I am still learning everyday.

When dad retired and my brothers decided to go out on their own, I was the only one left to carry on the business. The thing that I liked most about the business was, and still is, the fact that every job is different, which makes it a challenge.  That is what led me to take over the business when my dad retired.

When I look back at how far I have come, I am amazed.

After college, my dad asked if I could help him out with the paperwork, filing etc. “Sure why not,” I said.  Seventeen years later, I own NESS.  Who knew?

At the time, I had just earned a bachelors degree from Johnson & Wales University in hospitality management.  It was what I knew and what I did. I had no knowledge of the sign industry except whenever I saw the Red Sox on television, I would brag to my friends, “My Dad made that sign!” Their response was always the same, “Really?” Wow, that’s cool!”

Growing up, we always knew that come March (the pre-season) mom would say, “Don’t bother your father, he’s really busy right now with Fenway.”  Now, as a wife and mother of two girls, my mom’s words are something my family can certainly relate to.

My dad would bring me with him to the park and I learned my way around.  Back then, I was introduced as “Ron’s daughter.” Now, I am introduced as Maribeth.

As the years flew by, and my time at NESS increased, I started to understand what it means to work for the Red Sox and how important it is that every sign get posted on time.  Going to the park with my dad also gave me the opportunity to meet the people I had talked with on the phone. As time passed, I became the one they asked for. As my knowledge grew, so did my confidence in working with the Boston Red Sox and Major League Baseball.

A new management team assumed ownership of the Boston Red Sox in 2002.  That was the year my dad retired and I took over as president and owner; or as I like to say, that was the year I became NESS.  Whenever a company is acquired, there is always the worry, “Will I still have a job?” It was no different for me.  We didn’t know whether or not NESS would be called by the new ownership. Fortunately, we were and I have worked very hard over the years to keep our relationship strong.

My dad encouraged me to apply for certification by the State Offices of Minority Business Women Assistance (SOMWBA), which was no small task. I would not have had the time to pursue certification without the support of my husband and parents.  I believe the SOMWBA certification will benefit my business over the long run; but for now, I am focused on satisfying the Red Sox and Major League Baseball.

When people find out my company services the signs at Fenway Park, they are impressed and ask me what it is like. I tell them it’s awesome; and avoid mentioning the hard work and critical deadlines.  It can be very stressful at times.  While those are the realities and challenges of my business, and every business has them, I can truly say it is awesome to work for such a generous organization. The Boston Red Sox do such wonderful things that most people never see. They certainly know how to give back to the community.

One day, just before Opening Day, we were working on signs at the park and I noticed an ambulance pulling onto the warning track with a group of people following close behind. I assumed they were performing a practice run before Opening Day, just in case of an emergency; so, I went back to work.  Then I noticed this little boy running on the grass field, (and anyone who has ever worked in the park knows, NEVER go on the grass!!!) OMG, I thought, what’s he doing and where is his mother?  You must understand the importance of keeping off the grass.  You just don't go on it, period! Well, come to find out, the little boy (had cancer) and the Make a Wish Foundation had arranged with the Red Sox for him to fulfill his wish of running the field at Fenway. Seeing his face while running the bases is an image I will never forget. It brought tears to my eyes. This is just one example of the many the good things the Boston Red Sox organization does for the community.

All of that, from my father to the little boy on the field, came rushing to mind when I learned the Red Sox had recognized me as one of America’s Best Diverse Suppliers®. I am honored by the recognition and look forward to many more years with Major League Baseball.

Thank you, diversityinbusiness.com, for letting me tell my story!

Sincerely,

Maribeth Moriarty

Photos from an Enduring Relationship

Above are images of installations performed by the Donnelly Advertising Sign Co. where Ron Canning, Maribeth Moriarty's father learned the business.  Donnelly handled signage at Fenway Park, and Ron Canning continued the tradition after the company folded.  Below, Maribeth Moriarty works on a sign that was later installed at Fenway Park.

NESS handles signage throughout Fenway Park.  Above are composite photos of signage inside the ballpark.  Below are pictures of commercial signs installed by NESS that adorn the interior of Fenway Park.

Each season NESS is called upon to install signage of major sponsors at Fenway Park.  Above and below are photos of a highly specialized installations.

A career highlight for Maribeth Moriarty and her family was having the opportunity to service the signage for Major League Baseball when the Boston Red Sox hosted the 1999 All Star Game.

THE END

Click the image below to see what the Red Sox say about NESS