The History of Eagle Outdoor
Eagle Outdoor Sign Co., Inc. was founded in 1985 by Dan Walcott. Dan entered the outdoor advertising and sign painting business at the age of fifteen, apprenticing with Lockridge Outdoor. When that company was later sold, he spent a year painting houses for a local contractor. During that time, Dan began seeking out businesses whose signs needed repainting, often taking on that work after a full day of house painting.
At age twenty-one, Dan was encouraged by his father-in-law, Don Troyer, to go into business for himself. Don’s father offered Dan the use of an old wooden barn for a sign shop. It was a humble beginning, with wind coming through the siding, but it was dry and gave Dan a place to get started.
Dan’s first billboard was a small 6' x 12' structure located on State Road 13 north of Pierceton, Indiana. It may have been modest, but it marked the beginning of
Eagle Outdoor.
While working for Lockridge Outdoor, Dan had helped subcontract billboard painting for Whiteco, a large national company. In those days, billboards were hand-painted and lettered from a swing stage. After starting Eagle, Dan secured subcontract work lettering billboards in Indiana for 3M National. That contract helped pay the bills and provided capital to build Eagle’s first billboard locations.
With determination and the help of local financing, including an early $150 loan and later a $10,000 line of credit from a local bank, Eagle Outdoor began to grow. Over the following years, Dan built more than one hundred billboard faces. He expanded further by negotiating the purchase of four other billboard companies.
Today, Eagle Outdoor has billboard locations in twenty-nine Indiana counties. What began with one small billboard and a drafty barn has grown into a family-involved business built on hard work, vision, and a commitment to helping other businesses succeed.
Dan Walcott
Dan Walcott the founder of Eagle Outdoor started painting billboards at the age of fifteen. He literally “learned the ropes” by apprenticing for Lockridge Outdoor who hand painted billboards on site hanging from a swing stage for Whiteco. Other tasks as an employee were building billboards, leasing, and selling ad space for Lockridge. When the new outdoor advertising company sold, Dan worked as a house painter briefly and painted signs at night. In 1984 Dan struck out independently starting Eagle Outdoor Sign Co. Inc. Lettering signs and vehicles along with a contract with billboard painting for National 3M, raised enough money to build Eagle’s first 6’x12’ billboard. With permission to start in an old hog barn, there was no looking back.
Gina Walcott
Gina Walcott, wife to Dan Walcott, plays an important role at Eagle Outdoor, helping keep daily operations running smoothly and efficiently. She supports the company handling Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, while also serving as a key organizer for internal processes. In addition to her operational responsibilities, Gina contributes to sales efforts, bringing a personable and relationship-focused approach to client interactions. Gina’s diverse background—spanning sales, event planning, and administrative support—makes her a valuable part of the Eagle Outdoor team. Her ability to stay organized, connect with people, and support multiple areas of the business contributes to the company’s continued success.
Darren Walcott
Learning the business from the ground up as the son of Dan Walcott, Darren was exposed to the day-to-day operations of the company, gaining firsthand insight into what it takes to build and maintain a successful billboard business. Following high school graduation, Darren joined Eagle Outdoor full time. He has demonstrated versatility across all areas of the business—handling invoicing and bookkeeping responsibilities, contributing to sales efforts, and working in the field with bill posting, construction, and maintenance of billboard structures throughout Indiana. His ability to balance office operations with physical fieldwork reflects a deep understanding of the industry and a dedication to serving clients and maintaining the quality of Eagle Outdoor’s billboard network.
Quality advertising with a personal touch
The Eagle Outdoor Process
01
Initial Inquiry
When a call or inquiry comes into Eagle Outdoor, we begin by understanding the client’s needs:
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Target market and locations
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Budget considerations
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Type of advertising (Bulletins, Junior Posters, Digital, etc.)
We walk you through pricing, options, and available locations, taking the time necessary before moving forward.
02
Information & Asset Collection
First & Last Name
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Company Name
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Phone Number & Email
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Logo (preferably vector format)
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Photos (if available)
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Message or goal of the advertisement
If a client doesn’t have all materials, our team can create what’s needed.
03
Creative Development
Our art department develops concepts using a proven philosophy inspired by Gary Nieter:
Great design is not guessed—it is researched, explored, and refined.
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We generate multiple concepts (often up to 10 internally)
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Only the strongest ideas are presented to the client
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Each design is clearly numbered for easy feedback
This process ensures we don’t settle for the first idea—because rarely is it the best.
04
Client Feedback & Refinement
Clients review the concepts and:
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Select a preferred design
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Combine elements from multiple concepts
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Request revisions
If none of the designs hit the mark, that feedback is still valuable—it helps us refine direction quickly and efficiently.
05
Final Artwork & Production
Once artwork is approved:
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Files are prepared and uploaded to a trusted national printing partner
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We prioritize speed, quality, and consistency rather than printing in-house
The result is a high-quality vinyl flex face ready for installation.
06
Billing & Agreement Structure
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Most clients are billed on a 4-week cycle (13 periods/year)
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Annual agreements receive pre-pay discount options
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Invoices are typically issued each billing period
07
Scheduling & Installation
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Campaigns are scheduled using billboard management software
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Vinyl is shipped to Eagle Outdoor
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Our installation team delivers and installs the message on-site
We give prospects space to make the right decision
We focus on long-term relationships, not quick sales
We believe data, research, and process drive great results
And most importantly: We exist to make our clients’ businesses stronger