Displayit is proud of the staff we have built over the years. Each one of our team members takes great pride in offering dependable and knowledgeable service. We have a tremendous amount of experience and capability among our team members. Please take a moment to learn more about the people that will be helping you create a fantastic trade show exhibit.
Fred Axelberd
Founder
Fred has retired from the day to day operations of Displayit and he is currently serving our Nation in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Fred founded Displayit, one of the first sellers of exhibits via the Internet, in 1996 after spending six years in operations with a major U.S. portable trade show manufacturer. Fred has always enjoyed creating new and more effective sales and distribution methods.
His experience includes 10 years general business consulting with Coca-Cola bottling companies, as well as 10 years as an owner/manager of snack food and restaurant businesses. Fred enjoys tennis, swimming, and long walks with his Great Pyrenees, Opheila.
Josh Axelberd
President/CEO
Joined Displayit in 1999, he has 10 years of exhibit experience having worked in the areas of sales, marketing, and project management. He is responsible for managing all aspects of customer service, marketing and operations. Josh takes a common sense approach to his job, "my job is to help exhibitors all over the country find the best products at the best prices."
His favorite pastimes include watching college sports, and spending time with family and friends. Josh is a 1995 graduate of Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA.
Mark Johnson
Sr. Exhibit Consultant
Mark entered the exhibit industry full time in 1997, as an exhibit services specialist. By 1998, Mark moved into exhibit sales, working with some of the finest companies in the southeast. Mark has tremendous creativity and passion for the customer. Mark prides himself on developing custom solutions that ensure his customers' exhibiting success. After transferring from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Mark graduated from the University of Georgia's renown Terry College of Business where he was a dean's list student.
Although a proud member of the Bulldawg Nation, Mark does enjoy carrying goal posts out of Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd stadium with Fred and Josh on occasion. Joining Displayit in 2004, Mark has found himself in hostile waters surrounded by Yellow Jackets(Josh & Andrew), Gators(Fred and Ben), Tennessee Volunteer (Mike), Clemson Tiger (Jeff) and fellow Bulldog (Scott). Mark and his wife Renee recently celebrated the birth of their son Mark Lewis Johnson Jr. in July of 2006. They enjoy weekends with their Rescued Chocolate Lab "Riggs", Beagle "Darla" and Champion Blue Point Siamese Cat "No-No-Nannette".
Michael Rector
Sales Manager
Michael Rector joined Displayit after 15 years of operating his own business which provided custom electrical services for residential and commercial clients. Michael is responsible for overseeing all of Displayit's more customized displays and projects. Michael has also developed an expertise for providing outstanding display solutions through the use of steel truss.
Michael enjoys spending his spare time with family and friends, playing his guitar, and staying active in his Church.
Jeff Nordman
Web Product Manager
Jeff Nordman joined Displayit in 2006, coming from customer service and information technology backgrounds. Jeff studied Civil Engineering and Industrial Management at Clemson University and has a degree in Computer Information Systems from Gwinnett Technical College, graduating on the dean’s list. Besides being Displayit’s Web Product Manager, Jeff creates graphical illustrations for both clients and colleagues to help visualize and design their displays.
Jeff enjoys flying, SCUBA diving, traveling, spending time with his wife Krista, his dog Noelle (cutest dog in the WORLD!), playing bass guitar in two bands, and helping family, friends and neighbors with projects.
Andrew von Essen
Operations Manager
Andrew joined Displayit in 2007 coming from a background in customer service, sales, and operations management. Andrew studied psychology at Georgia Perimeter College, and received his associate's degree in 2003. In his free time, Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters, and playing guitar
Scott Simmons
Designer
Scott began his career in the tradeshow industry in 2005, and joined the
Displayit team in October 2007 as a graphic and exhibit designer. He is
a 2005 graduate of the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia
(BFA, Digital Media). He was also one of the first recipients of a New Media
Interdisciplinary Certificate from UGA's New Media Institute.
Scott lives in Dacula with his wife Kimberly, and their growing menagerie:
a Yorkshire terrier (Cube), and two cockatiels (Chico and Guapo). Scott
has been using his talents for design in their new home: he is presently
constructing a work bench for his massive tool collection. Next up: laying
tile in the master bathroom!
Ben Forlaw
Account Manager
Ben joined Displayit in 2008 after several years in the insurance claims industry. He graduated from The University of South Florida with a history degree in 2004 and has worked in various fields such as retail sales and a skilled trade. Ben enjoys spending time with his wife and dog at home, watching and playing sports, reading both fiction and nonfiction, and hanging out with friends and family.