About the PFI Team
It all started in a barn back in 1970, with an Italian-American immigrant who had a firm belief in the importance of quality manufacturing. Five years later, we moved to our current home in Rittman, OH, where we’ve continued to grow and expand.
Today, our two facilities span over 150,000 sq. ft. and are essential to our ability to custom manufacture the wide range of displays, environments and exhibits that our clients require.
With all of our growth, though, we’ve remained true to our roots. “Papa” Jim Tricomi, our founder, was single-minded in his focus on our clients’ success. To achieve it, he drove our culture to embody the tireless work ethic that still sets us apart today: “No One Will Ever Outwork PFI.” This commitment is a direct outcome of his childhood and growing up during the Great Depression.
His father passed away when Jim was only 9 years old; to help his mother, he shined shoes outside of bars for nickels. (Later in life, you can be assured each of his sons and grandsons received a shoeshine kit early on and detailed instructions on the proper method!).
As a third-generation family business, we are happy that all our hard work also forges close bonds with our clients. Just like our company has been around a long time, our relationships last a long time, too. We’ve worked with companies like Wright Tool since we were founded in the 70’s! Likewise, some of our key team members have been with us for a decade and more and are essential elements of PFI’s DNA.
When new clients get started with us, they’ll find that they are immediately part of the family. This requires a lot of trust and honesty, just like with any relationship, and we look forward to earning yours.
Leveling up
Experience doesn't mean standing still.
We are laser-focused on the future. That’s why we recently participated in the Scalerator program—to sharpen our long-term planning and commit to consistent, strategic growth.
We are constantly leveling up our game so we can continue to show up for yours.
Ready to see what that dedication looks like in action? Watch the video to learn how we’re building a stronger future for our clients.
Anthony Tricomi
President and CEO
Since his first job at age 10 sweeping up at a barber shop, Tony’s tireless work ethic has generated incredible results for PFI and our clients. His favorite thing to do with his free time: fearlessly trek to Five Below and Starbucks with his 6 grand kids. Tony continues as the leading example of what his father instilled in our company’s DNA: No one will ever outwork PFI Displays.
Vincent Tricomi
VP of Business Development
Vince joined the family business after working in New York City, with a tentative plan to check it out for 6 months and then move on. However, as soon as he started his sales role here, he loved it.
Vince enjoys the creative process, even through his scribbles leave much to the imagination. His real strength, though, lies in uncovering new strategies by connecting seemingly disparate threads. In the creative, custom design-build world where PFI competes, solutions need to overcome multiple challenges and create opportunities for clients' brands to grow.
Melissa Tricomi
Customer Service Manager
Originally from Arizona, Melissa is not a fan of our Ohio winters, so she's happy to volunteer to help at trade shows in California, Las Vegas and anywhere else sunny and warm.
Melissa's role also includes accounting, managing trade show logistics and project management.
Dave Bauman
Exhibit Project Manager
A seasoned veteran of the exhibit industry, Dave's expertise is bringing to life the creative designs we generate. And, it's not just about how to properly build a trade show booth. He factors in considerations that enable an efficient set up and dismantle on the show floor. With the "costs of exhibiting" continuing to rise, he plays an important role in helping to limit our clients' exposure to those costs.
Dan Baker
Account Executive
Dan brings more than 20 years of sales and business development experience to PFI, most of it spent in the produce industry, along with leadership roles across foodservice, home services and franchise operations. He has opened new markets, built national and regional accounts, and led sales teams that consistently exceed their goals. Now he's bringing that experience to the trade show, exhibit and display world.
Dan's favorite part of the job is building relationships and solving problems. He enjoys learning what a client is trying to accomplish, finding the right solution, and seeing it come to life as something that gets noticed and gets results. When he's not working, you'll find him on a dirt bike, happily out on a good trail.
Michelle Wellert
Accountable Logistics Manager
Michelle's roles at PFI are pivotal at helping ensure clients' success. From managing to auditing show services and drop shipping retail displays across the country, her experience and careful attention to detail fuel the execution of the display and exhibit programs PFI develops for its clients.
She's a member of the CrossFit crew here at PFI. Don't let her kind, courteous demeanor fool you - she's a fierce competitor at the gym and on the tennis courts!
Pam Yost
Account Manager
Pam's been an essential member of hte sales team now for over 20 years! She outworks us all and is resolutely upbeat. She is the embodiment of PFI's commitment to "radical attention to every detail". Whether she's managing a project or walking an account through important trade show details, clients rest easy knowing Pam has it all handled.
She's also a proud, loving grandmother who really enjoys baking with her granddaughter.
Doug Mahr
Senior Exhibit Builder
An industry veteran, Doug is a leader in our shop, the go-to guy when it comes to the custom, hand-fabrication of the booths we design and build for our clients.
When he's not custom crafting exhibits or supervising a successful installation and distmantle at a show, Doug is a avid amateur HAM radio operator and vintage car buff.
Bill Bammerlin
Senior Account Executive
Bill has over 30 years of experience in the display industry. He began his career as a project manager, working his way up to Senior Account Executive.
When Bill started out, there were no cell phones, so he knew where every payphone was as he traveled.
Bill enjoys spending time with his family boating. Friday nights in the fall he can be found enjoying high school football games.
Christina Fankhauser
Account Coordinator
Christina brings a fresh and vibrant energy to the world of trade shows. Having been with us for nearly two years, she has quickly become an essential part of the team. Known for her infectious smile and can-do attitude, she's a true ball of energy who lights up any room she enters.
Her meticulous attention to detail and ability to keep projects on track ensures that every client's needs are handled efficiently and with care. When she's not flawlessly managing trade show logistics, Christina cherishes her role as a proud grandmother to her young grandson.
Shane Lind
Retail Project Manager
Rolling out a successful retail display program requires insights into not just the manufacturing process, but also the various retail environments where our displays are put to work.
Shane's role encompasses translating a creative display design first into a prototype as proof of concept, then into a production roll-out, and even how to safely ship the display where it needs to go.
He is also our resident outdoor expert, an avid hunter, camper, softball coach and more.
Eric Ritz
Creative Director
Eric is always designing, whether it's a part for one of his custom cars or creative ways to bring marketing programs to life. His designs have been seen on trade show floors and in retail stores across the country. Not only is he a pro when it comes to brainstorming, marketing strategy and industrial design, but he can also advise a team on where to find the best tacos in town.
Jason Elkins
Graphic Design Manager
Originally from Copley, Ohio, Jason earned his degree in Graphic Arts in Chicago, where he built a strong foundation in design, marketing and advertising. He combines his creative background with a no-nonsense work ethic to create designs that look incredible and reflect the value of our clients' brands.
April Ferguson
Account Executive
April brings 34 years of experience to PFI, with a background in sales leadership, key account management and large-scale projects. She has led sales teams, guided product lines from development through market launch, and built the forecasts and pricing strategies to support them. That experience gives her a clear view of what it takes to get a project approved, funded and delivered.
What April loves most about her work is making a difference for her clients by following through from start to finish, with 100% commitment to reaching every goal they set. She has also traveled to 48 of the 50 states, so feel free to ask her which two are still on the list.
The Heart of Our Business is Your Partnership
We’re a down-to-earth group that simply enjoys working hard and bringing a creative spark to every project. For over 55 years, we’ve relied on our family- business roots and a steady hand to help brands of all sizes turn ideas into hardworking realities. We are truly honored to be the team in your corner, and we are grateful for these kind words from the partners we’ve been privileged to serve.
Edelbrock Group
“....The design perfectly captured our brand and helped us engage both existing and new, younger customers — sparking exciting discussions throughout the event. The response was overwhelmingly positive — our staff, customers, and even industry partners absolutely loved the booth. It became a real standout on the show floor! PFI delivered a turnkey experience, managing everything from design and creation to setup and teardown with professionalism and precision. Their attention to detail and creativity truly made the difference..."
Sissan & Banyas
“...Having your team handle all aspects of our booth shipping, logistics, set-up, and tear-down frees our team up to focus on developing new connections and building relationships with new customers. We’ve learned over several years now that we can rely on the PFI team to consistently, professionally, timely, and accurately handle all aspects of our SEMA booth. Knowing that we have PFI on our side gives us great peace of mind heading into a busy and stressful event..."
American Kenda Rubber Industrial Co.,LTD
“SEMA 2025 was a successful event once again for Kenda Tires. Our partnership with PFI allows Kenda to focus on our meeting planning and communications while PFI handles the design, logistics and set-up of our booth. Their service and attention to detail allow me to dedicate my time to other parts of the show planning process."
Phothera
“PFI was a true partner. They listened, understood and brought our vision to life. They worked within our budget without ever sacrificing quality, and the final result exceeded our expectations."
PRC Saltillo Team
“...From the very first conversation, they listened closely, asked the right questions, and brought forward creative ideas that aligned perfectly with our brand and objectives. Communication was clear and transparent, with costs explained upfront and no surprises. Every stage was handled with friendliness, professionalism, and a focus on making things easy for our team. We felt truly heard, and PFI transformed our ideas into a booth that felt authentically us."
Explore the ExhibitPBE/Tranquility
"...They helped bring our booth presence into the 21st century and gave our brand a modern look that stands out on the show floor. Thanks to their incredible work, we have seen more traffic and more attention at our tradeshows. PFI Displays is an honest, hardworking third generation family owned business that takes real pride in what they do. This was my second time partnering with PFI, and I would work with them again without hesitation. I cannot recommend PFI Displays highly enough!"
Roppe
"Working with PFI feels like working with extended family. They understand our vision, even from a rough sketch, and always deliver reliable, high-quality solutions. It’s small-town values paired with state-of-the-art capabilities."
Gregory Highway
WKYC
"I couldn't be more satisfied with PFI Displays. We gave them a new challenge...redesign a television news studio...and they did amazing work. They were flexible - working around showtimes. They were smart - finding cost-efficient solutions to costly problems. They were professional--working closely with our cameramen and directors to get every angle and shot just right. And they were fast--building a great-looking and study set in just weeks. I was extremely impressed with the entire team and hope to work with them, again."
Questions About PFI Displays
How long has PFI Displays been in business?
PFI Displays has been in business for over 55 years. We're a third-generation, family-owned exhibit and display company based in Ohio. Our history isn't just a number—it's +55 years of creative problem-solving, trusted partnerships, and a relentless commitment to helping brands show up powerfully. Experience makes the difference, and we've got decades of it.
Is PFI Displays a family-owned business?
Yes. PFI Displays is a third-generation, family-owned and operated business—and that matters in how we operate. You'll work directly with our team, including leadership who picks up the phone, shows up on-site at your trade show, and genuinely cares about your success. We're not a faceless corporate shop. At PFI, every project and every partner is valued. That's not a tagline—it's how we've been doing business for over half a century.
What makes PFI Displays a trustworthy partner for major brands?
Major brands choose PFI because we offer what larger competitors can't: the quality and scale to handle complex projects with the personal attention and accountability of a family-owned business. Our clients—including companies like Gregory Highway, Kenda Tires, Edelbrock Group, and Roppe—come back because we follow up, follow through, and never let them fail. Strong partnerships start here.