Meet Julio Gil: The Heart Behind Central Coast Sign and Design

A Story and the Roots of Central Coast Sign and Design

Honestly, if you’re from Salinas—or anywhere nearby—you probably know Julio Gil. He’s friendly, warm, funny, and always willing to give anyone the shirt off his back.

Known at the office as “El Jefe” (The Boss), that name fits only in terms of getting things done—but not in the warmth he brings to everyone he works with.

The shot that truly shows Julio's approachability. Captured at Juan Avila Photography.

He’s a familiar face in the community, giving his time and energy to so many causes and events across Salinas. From the Rodeo to the Air Show to Relay for Life, he shows up. And if I don’t see him, I usually spot the Central Coast Sign & Design logo somewhere at a charity event.

Why does he do it?

Well, I asked him, and his response was simple.

“We want to play our part in the community. We’re more than just a sign and design company. We want to be known for playing our part in the community,” said Julio, owner of Central Coast Sign and Design. “We want to leave our mark in a positive way no matter where we are.”

I’ve known Julio a long time, and what’s always stood out to me is how generous he is. He has a big heart, and I get the sense that everything he does—work or community—comes from that same place.

Family at the Heart of CC Sign and Design

Behind all of that, Julio is a family guy through and through. He and his wife stay busy cheering on their two teenage daughters, who are active in sports and school activities, and their dog Blue is basically a second mascot for the shop. That sense of family shows up in how he runs Central Coast Sign and Design—it’s calm, steady, and full of pride in the people who work there.

At the core of their design work are three things: quality, design, and service.

To hear it in his own words: “We pride ourselves on offering three things: quality, design, and service,” Julio said, owner of Central Coast Sign and Design. “The creative side of this work is what keeps it fun for us and for our clients.”

Ask Julio what he loves about the business and he’ll tell you, “It’s the creativity.” And he’ll quickly add that clients love it, too.

The team handles everything from vehicle graphics to creating timeless, elegant designs for local brands. They listen carefully and never rush the process.

As he told me: “We pay attention to detail and make sure we’re providing something elegant, timeless, and right for the client,” Julio said. “We actually listen, and we want them to leave satisfied with what they’re getting.”

And beyond the work itself, he cares deeply about building opportunity here at home.

“It’s not your ordinary nine-to-five,” Julio said. “We get to create, work with people, and help bring their ideas to life. We also want to create jobs that attract local talent, and that keeps us pushing to be better every single day as individuals and as a company. We are truly blessed to do what we love.”

At the end of the day, Julio wants to help clients and make sure they’re satisfied.

Working With CC Sign and Design: Faces Behind the Business

Recently, I worked with Julio and his team on refreshing all of their headshots and creating a new team photo. We weren’t just getting images for a website—we were capturing the people behind the company.

“Working with Juan to refresh our photos was a chance to really highlight the faces behind our company,” Julio said, owner of Central Coast Sign and Design. “We do as much for our neighbors as we do for ourselves, and that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

The new images show exactly what makes CC Sign and Design special: people who care about their craft, their customers, and their city.

Why Local Businesses Choose CC Sign and Design

When businesses around the Central Coast need signs, wraps, banners, vehicle graphics, or branding support, they turn to Julio not just for the quality of his work, but also for the trust he’s built through years of showing up for others.

If you’d like to learn more or see their work, visit signanddesign.com or reach out to Julio directly. You’ll understand right away why so many people in Salinas know and respect him.