Al was a master sign man, learning from the previous generation. He started out (as a teenager) making patterns for sheet metal formers at Tropicalites (later Bengis Associates), and learned some of his sign making skills while in the service.
In 1959 he bought into Knox Signs; renaming it Allied-Knox. After his partner "Brownie" died, he purchased the widow's portion of the business and continued Allied Signs until his passing in 2005.
The Janis of Janis/Mank Developers was Jay Janis who went on to develop Kendale Lakes.