Get to Know Ryan Martineau – Installation Coordinator at Houck Transit Advertising

Q: Share a bit about your education and career experiences.

A: I Attended North Dakota State University and earned degrees in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design. Over the summers I worked at Target managing a number of different areas of the store. Looking for something different, I noticed a job posting for Houck Advertising and despite not knowing a thing about bus advertising I applied because it looked like fun. Due to a few personnel changes, I was thrust into the world of installing stickers on buses and had to learn on the fly. Coming up in May 2024 I will cel­­ebrate 10 years with Houck Advertising, and I wouldn’t change a thing about what got me here today.

Q: Share about your family.

A: I am married to my wonderful wife, Courtney, of nearly 10 years coming up in September 2024. We have 2 children, Owen who is 8 and Reese who is 3. We also have an 11 year old Berner named Clyde. 

Q: Tell us about the work you do at HTA. 

A: I started with Houck as the shop/local install guy. I had a hand in laminating and finishing nearly every sign that went out the door. Learning on the fly was essential. I would also work with our in-house installers based out of Des Moines to learn the tricks of the trade. Getting to see all the time and effort that goes into a bus wrap really gives you an appreciation for the craft. I was able to start a number of relationships with the garage guys at quite a few of the transit systems by being the sign guy that would install the signs. I moved up in the organization where my primary role was to plan how we are going to get everything installed on the buses. Having those relationships already established really helped me hit the ground running partnering with the maintenance managers I had already been working when in their garages. Since the start of the pandemic Houck made a major shift on how we were going to get signs installed. I now work with 30+ local installers in the 40+ markets we service to get our signs installed. Another part of my job is to ensure we have the vinyl to put on the buses. I work with quite a few material suppliers and manufacturers to ensure we have what we need when we need it. Those partnerships have also allowed us to be provided the opportunity to test out new material and get previews of what is to come. 

Q: What are your interests outside of work?

A: I really enjoy the outdoors with my family. We enjoy camping, hiking, rock hunting, and road trips to fun destinations.

I also really enjoy being one of the Den Leaders of my son’s Cub Scout Pack. I really enjoy working with him and 3 of his friends teaching them life and survival skills as well as having fun with a number of STEM related activities.

Q: What have you found to be a favorite experience at Houck Transit Advertising so far?

A: My favorite experience at Houck has been seeing some of the prints come off the printers, finishing the signs, then taking them into market and installing them on the buses. One of my favorite campaigns was installing some half wraps up in St. Cloud, MN for Visit Cook County. Though I am not able to install as much as I used to, I still really enjoy seeing the 2D proof on a piece of paper or computer screen be installed on the buses, at times covering over 1000 sq ft of space. With how far this industry has come in the past 10 years, I can’t wait to see what the future holds.