Art Coley
Vice President, Global Development

In the franchise industry since 1993, today Art Coley leads AlphaGraphics’ development with goals of doubling the size of the network to 500+ locations and $500 million in system sales.

 

Before joining AlphaGraphics, Inc. Coley was Executive Vice President of Franchising for the International Center for Entrepreneurial Development (ICED). With over 800 locations, ICED is the franchisor of concepts such as ComputerExplorers, Kwik Kopy, Women’s Health Boutique and Parcel Plus. In addition, Coley served as president of ComputerExplorers for four years, growing the number of locations from 58 to 105.

 

Coley’s experience also includes owning and operating a successful small business. He is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE).

 

Bob Gappa, CFE
Founder & President, Management 2000

Bob Gappa founded Management 2000 in 1981. Bob and Management 2000 have worked with over 1150 franchise companies. Management 2000's clients include start up concepts, mid size companies and well established companies with hundreds of locations both in the United States and international.

 

Management 2000 conducts seminars throughout the year that cover topics of interest to franchise companies. The topics of the seminars are: 1] "How To Recruit Better Candidates & Close More Franchise Sales", 2] "How To Become A More Effective Field Consultant - Part 1 & Part 2", and "How To Lead And Manage The Growth Of Your Franchise System". These programs are endorsed by both the International Franchise Association and the Canadian Franchise Association.

 

Management 2000's areas of expertise include helping franchise systems: 1] plan for their growth, 2] develop their leadership skills, 3] developing effective ways to generate, qualify and grant franchises to the most qualified individuals, 4] train their field consultants to be more effective with helping franchisees grow their businesses, 5] establish a culture that focuses on the customers' experience, 6] write operations and training manuals, 7] developing effective franchiser-franchisee relationships and 8] helping franchisees develop growth business plans for their operations.

 

Over the years, Bob Gappa has written and had published many articles on franchising. Recently he was asked by the International Franchise Association [IFA] to write two sections for the ICFE STUDY GUIDE for FRANCHISE EXECUTIVES.

 

Bob has been involved as a franchisee with several different concepts and brings a wealth of knowledge from that perspective in addition. Bob's many years of experience in the franchise community are an invaluable resource to companies that work with Management 2000.

 

Rachael Dror
Social Media Manager, Fishman Public Relations

Rachael Dror, Social Media Manager for Fishman Public Relations, is a Social Media Evangelist with more than 10 years advertising and marketing experience, including broadcast production, and a former SEO/Social Media Consultant for small and mid-sized companies. Since the start of her career at Leo Burnett, Chicago to her transition into social media and online marketing, Rachael has worked with such prestigious brands as Procter & Gamble, Bally’s Total Fitness, Kellogg’s, Philip Morris and CDW.

 

At Fishman PR, Rachael spearheads the agency’s shift toward an integrated approach to PR, social media and online marketing for their franchise clients. She produced successful social media campaigns that promote the consumer marketing and franchise development goals of some of the most recognizable brands in franchising. Her ROI focused approach to social media is a refreshing departure from the “social media free for all” that many companies experience as they attempt to navigate emerging communication platforms. Rachael’s areas of expertise include; social media strategy, social media marketing, social network based contests and promotions, social media application development, targeted social media advertising, lead capture, corporate and franchisee social media training, multi channel social media campaigns, viral video promotion and SEO.

 

Keith Gerson
President/Chief Operating Officer, PuroSystems, Inc.

Keith Gerson has over thirty plus years of executive level franchise expertise in building rapid-growth companies able to generate sustainable profits. Recognized in franchising circles for his extensive leadership experience within the franchise industry, Keith has guided companies to record levels of franchise development, the acceleration of multimillion-dollar revenue growth (and resultant royalties) and significant EBITDA.

 

“Keith Gerson has transformed our PuroClean brand into a money making machine, and has done it well” says David McKinnon, Chairman of Service Brands International (SBI) and Co-Chair of PuroSystems, Inc.

 

In his role as President/Chief Operating Officer, Keith took PuroSystems, Inc. from ninety two (92) franchises to three hundred and four (304) locations within a three year period. In that same period of time, consumer level revenues more than doubled growing from $42 million to $94 million and EBITDA swelled nearly 4 times. All of this while reducing annual franchisee attrition rates from in excess of 18% to current levels of 5%.

 

In previous roles, Keith Gerson has served as Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Development for AlphaGraphics, Inc. where, over his five year career, he helped lead the organization to record sales and profitability for shareholders and franchisees through re-branding and the creation of integrated sales & marketing programs, a reimaged business center and a dramatically reduced cost of entry and lower break-even for owners which helped stimulate new franchise development. As Senior Vice President of Worldwide Franchising and Licensing for Mrs. Fields Original Cookies, Keith created the franchise development and franchise operations systems for Mrs. Fields Original Cookies, Inc. and was with that organization for nine years. In relatively short order, his team was responsible for moving the company from an exclusively company owned and operated model to a blended franchise organization that added over 600 franchises and licenses worldwide. He held additional executive level positions with Chem-Dry, and Jack in the Box Restaurants.

 

Keith’s exceptional track-record of business success, revenue growth and profit improvements are based on his commitment to creating alignment around key strategies and accomplishing results through a strong interdependent relationship between Franchisor, Franchisee and all stakeholders.

 

Effective June 1st, Keith will become the Chief Operating Officer of Sopra Brands, the parent company of Franchise Companies HouseMaster, Teriyaki Stix, Earth Fruits, Hogi Yogi and a number of service based organizations.

 

Amit Pamecha
CEO, FranConnect

Amit Pamecha is the Founder and CEO of FranConnect and has helped evolve FranConnect into a global leader in Franchise Management Systems. Amit has personally worked with over 150 Franchise organizations, helping them implement technology systems and solutions. As the chief product architect for FranConnect, Amit has also conceptualize the different FranConnect applications.

 

Prior to FranConnect, Amit was a Co-founder and CTO of Zgraffiti and Director of E-Commerce at SRA International, a global consulting leader. Amit has a MS in Robotics from Johns Hopkins University and a B.Tech from IIT Delhi. Amit also holds patents on Public Key Infrastructure and Metamorphic robots.

 

Brian B. Schnell
Partner, Faegre & Benson

Brian Schnell focuses his practice in franchising and product distribution law. He is a leader of the Faegre & Benson Franchise Team, a premier international franchise practice representing more than 200 franchisors with headquarters based in 35 states and seven countries.

 

Brian counsels both emerging and mature franchisors in a variety of industries with regard to all aspects of their franchise programs. He is the lead corporate franchise lawyer for more than 80 franchisors, ranging from companies with thousands of locations worldwide to companies who are in the initial stages of building their franchise systems. These clients operate in dozens of industries including restaurants and related food businesses, hotel, health and fitness, media, automotive aftermarket, pets, convenience stores, children's, and many commercial and residential service and retail segments.

 

Brian is a past chair of the International Franchise Association (IFA) Supplier Forum and a member of its Legal/Legislative, Awards and Membership committees. He also serves on the board of trustees for the IFA Educational Foundation and the Franchise Advisory Board for WomenVenture. He is a frequent and well-regarded speaker and author on franchising.

 

The first male to receive the IFA Women's Franchise Committee Crystal Compass, Brian was distinguished for this honor in 2009 based on his leadership in franchising. He also is one of only eighteen franchise lawyers recognized worldwide by Chambers Global.

 

A highly effective franchise lawyer, Brian combines his legal experience with a passion for, and keen understanding of, franchising to find practical solutions for clients. Like the rest of the Faegre & Benson Franchise Team, he is committed to focusing on what matters and making a difference in working with franchisors on their challenges and opportunities. His experience is based on more than 20 years of working closely with clients—getting to know them and their businesses, goals and objectives. He listens, asks questions, and works hard to find solutions and approaches that work for franchisors. His experience includes:

• Structuring domestic and international franchise programs—single unit, multi-unit, area director and master franchise
• International expansion
• Franchise mergers and acquisitions/due diligence
• Drafting and registering FDDs and related franchise documents
• Franchise sales compliance, financial performance representations, lead referral networks
• Product distribution and vendor programs (including franchisor rebate programs)
• System expansion/"encroachment"
• Franchisee advisory councils and independent franchise associations
• Trademark and brand protection, marketing and advertising
• National accounts
• System standards compliance
• Transfers/assignments
• Default and termination, post-termination issues

 

Jerry Darnell
Sr. Vice President of Strategic Development, Benetrends

Benetrends. North Wales, PA
Recruited to join BeneTrends as a consultant and Sr VP of Strategic Development. Primary responsible, and credited, as being the catalyst of profitable sales growth during the past 1 yr. During tenure responsible for new franchise development and appointed to lead replenishment of franchise , and Channel Partners. Provided advice to President and COO and on marketing, broker relationships, trade shows, market penetration, sales tactics and procedures. Pivotal accomplishments during tenure were: 30% of new sales.

 

 

 

 

Maaco Enterprises, Inc. – King of Prussia, PA

Senior Franchise Development Director

2004 - Present
Recruited to join Maaco as a consultant and Franchise Development Manger by legendary franchise icon, Anthony A. Martino, at a time when franchise growth was deteriorating to dysfunctional. Primary responsible, and credited, as being the catalyst of profitable sales growth during the past 4.5 years. During tenure responsible for new franchise development and appointed to lead replenishment of franchise operating systems. Provided advice to CEO and department VP of marketing, broker relationships, trade shows, market penetration, sales tactics and procedures and franchise prospect evaluations. Pivotal accomplishments during tenure were: 30% of new sales representing 40% of the department; 80% of re-sales replacing 38% of the company’s franchisees.

 

Strategic Operations Consultant - North America

2003 – 2004
Contracted to attain franchise sales revenue targets in both new sales and resale’s. Activities include development and execution of marketing plans, and development of the franchise sales team. Contribution to operational business areas include optimizing territory development, market analysis, providing real estate guidance to the franchise community, and training new and existing franchisees. Legal activities include overseeing revisions of the franchise offering circular and agreement, as well as finance and business negotiation of nationwide franchise relationships.

 

Emerging Vision, Incorporated / Division of Sterling - New York, New York

Senior Vice President, Business Development

2000 – 2003
Recruited by this retail chain to expand and manage business operations, product and distribution systems for startup optical chains throughout the United States.

• Coordinated start-up of over 200 full service optical stores.
• Initiated and executed a nationwide strategy for automated distribution systems.
• Developed national and regional co-operative advertising programs for each product category that generated 20% additional margin.
• Developed and implemented operational and marketing business plans for B-2-B division, contracting 16 optical vendors in nine months.
• Supported store openings and generated four new product releases per year.

 

Sterling Vision - East Meadow, NY

Chief Operating Officer

1992 - 2000
Chosen for extensive experience in profit and loss accountability, to coordinate and support over 300 store openings in the United States for this division of a full service retail optical chain, ultimately generating over $400 million in annual sales. Primary accountabilities were in areas of merchandising, gross sales, cost of goods, distribution, and store layout and advertising.

• Directed the successful turnaround of a national regional chain on the decline.
• Provided strategic direction for competitive positioning of company.
• Led franchise and acquisition expansion strategies, including purchase and turnaround of three bankrupt optical companies.
• Franchised 50% of acquisitions within 180 days.
• Negotiated bulk purchases with vendors lowering acquisition costs by 10% COGS.
• Lowered advertising costs to franchisees by 15%
• Initiated business plan for point of sale customer retention programs.
• Averaged 22% comp store increases for my seven and a half years.
• Redesigned store layouts shrinking sq footage from 1,750 to 1,550 reducing rent and building costs 10%.

 

Ronald A. Feldman
CEO, Siegel Financial Group

Ronald has been with Siegel since 2003. Prior to his affiliation with Siegel, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Response USA, a publicly traded Alarm Systems Company. Mr. Feldman was instrumental in both the public offering and ultimate sale of the Alarm Division. Mr. Feldman also owned and operated a Goddard School Franchise with his wife from 1998 to 2007. He has been published numerous times in franchise related trade magazines, and is an instructor on SBA financing to the International Business Brokers Association.

 

Darrell Johnson
President & CEO, FRANdata

Darrell Johnson has been President and Chief Executive Officer of FRANdata since 2001. Prior to a management buy-out of FRANdata in 2004 from his previous employer, the National Cooperative Bank, Johnson was part of NCB's executive team, where he managed FRANdata along with several other NCB business ventures. At NCB he started an SBA lending unit, developed small business lending teams for cooperative and franchise organizations, established an equity investment program for cooperative businesses, built a leasing program, and managed a healthcare lending team.

 

His career spans information services, commercial banking, investment banking, and federal financial regulation. Before joining NCB in 1992, he was an investment banker specializing in mergers, acquisitions, and financial advisory services for middle market companies. Johnson was a founder of the investment banking subsidiary of a regional commercial bank (now part of Bank of America) and also worked in several independent advisory firms. Earlier in his career he was an economist and later the director of special examinations for a federal financial regulatory agency.

 

Johnson has served on a number of private company and non-profit business boards. He received a bachelor's degree in business and a master's degree in economics from Montana State University. He also earned a master's degree in business from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is a Certified Franchise Executive.

 

Marty Greenbaum
President / Creative Director

Martin Greenbaum has been in the creative business for most of his life. Born in Chicago in the 60's he spent much of his youth with paint brush in hand creating fine art projects and won a variety of citywide awards. Family had brought Greenbaum to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 80's where he attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing. He combined his creative talents, his interests in a computer called a "Mac Plus" and his marketing knowledge to become a tremendous resource to a growing family business.

 

Over eight years he was involved in over 500 store openings and served the company as Director of Marketing. In 1991, Greenbaum opened a full-service advertising agency, Creative Dynamics Inc., in which he served as president. The agency grew from several people to a team of 13 creative and marketing professionals serving many of the most recognized Las Vegas Resorts and a host of other local and national companies. He became active in his community and served on the board of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the American Heart Association, where he was elected chairman.

In 2003, Greenbaum leveraged his franchise experience and formed Greenbaum Marketing Communications, a full-service marketing and creative firm servicing the franchise industry. Today, he delivers consumer marketing, franchise development and internet solutions to many of the most recognized brands in franchising.

 

Richard Simtob
CEO, FranchiseSforSale.com

Richard Simtob has 26 years experience of small business ownership; franchisee & franchisors of multiple brands and consulting in assisting successful business grow as franchise businesses.

 

Currently Richard is a principle of Zoup! Fresh Soup Company and co-founder of FranchiseSforSale.com. Previously a principle & Senior Vice President of Wireless Toyz, Richard Simtob was responsible for the strategic direction and management of the organization’s franchise growth, as well as its technology, financial and business systems. Simtob managed the expansion of the company’s franchise network through the opening of 66 new stores in 2006. His efforts were pivotal in earning Wireless Toyz recognition in the 2006 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing privately-held U.S. companies, Entrepreneur’s 2007 "Franchise 500" and Entrepreneur’s 2007 "Fastest Growing Franchises." Wireless Toyz was sold in 2007 with almost 200 units.

 

Prior to Wireless Toyz, Simtob earned acclaim as a business innovator during the 1990s when he co-founded Book World Corporation, America’s largest chain of retail outlets specializing in renting audio-books. He built the company from a concept in 1993 to a 45-store chain that, by 1999, ranked number 164 on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing privately held companies. Each year under his leadership Talking Book World was named among Entrepreneur’s top 500 franchises.

 

He has also provided his strategic planning, management, organization, franchising and sales expertise as a business consultant for a variety of retailers and business-to-business clients. Successful brands, Massage Green Franchise, Mr. Pita, CK Mediterranean Grille & Center for Yoga.

 

Previously he was co-founder and president of TINT KING, an automotive franchise tint shop based in London, Ontario. Simtob oversaw the sales, production, accounting and computer systems for the venture and sold the business in 1996 when it was the number-one tint shop in southern Ontario.

 

Simtob is a licensed Real Estate commercial broker and is involved in owning & developing small retail commercial centers in Michigan and Arizona.
He is Vice President of Yad Ezra non-profit food bank and is active in a range of business organizations, including the Jewish Entrepreneurs Network and the Entrepreneurs Network of Michigan. He attended the University of Western Ontario, with a major in economics and business.

 

Richard Simtob lives in Farmington Hills, Michigan his wife Aimee and two children, Brooke and Bradley.

 

Ray Titus
President and Founder, United Franchise Group

Ray Titus, President of United Franchise Group and its affiliated companies is the son of franchise pioneer Roy Titus, founder of Minuteman Press International, Inc., who along with Ray co-founded SIGNARAMA.

The United Franchise Group consists of a number of successful business-to-business brands and franchise development services. The company includes franchise industry giants SIGNARAMA, the world’s largest sign franchise; EmbroidMe, the world’s largest embroidery franchise; Plan Ahead Events, the world’s largest full-service management company, and Billboard Connection, the world’s largest out-of-home advertising franchise. UFG also offers a unique range of development services that assist other franchise companies from conception to international expansion.

The talented team behind United Franchise Group, led by President Ray Titus, has over thirty years of franchising experience. Their expertise is proven time and time again in the success of the brands they have worked to create. All three UFG franchise brands have been awarded by Entrepreneur Magazine as the leaders in their industries. SIGNARAMA was recently honored by the President of the United States, George W. Bush, with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Presidential “E” Award for Export Excellence, the first franchisor to ever receive this recognition. Through our service companies, World Franchisors and Franchise Greenhouse, we have helped countless franchise systems expand both in the U.S. and around the world. All of this helps to solidify UFG’s position as the world’s leading franchise authority.

Ray has led United Franchise Group’s affiliated companies to phenomenal growth with nearly 1400 units in 50 countries. The United Franchise Group corporate headquarters controls operations for approximately 200 employees in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Australia and offers support to the remaining countries around the world. This extraordinary global growth has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, as well as various franchise and trade organizations.

Because of his continued success, Ray is committed to giving back to both the franchising community and world community with knowledge and resources. Ray is affiliated with many organizations; however, he is primarily involved with the following: Franchise Education Strategic Advisory Board at NOVA Southeastern University, the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches, President and Board of Directors of the Franchisor Association of Florida and International Franchise Association Chairman for CEO/President Forums, (South Florida).

He has spent countless hours and thousands of dollars supporting charities including those within the foundation he established in 2006, United Franchise Group Foundation, which supports The Heath Evans Foundation, Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, Junior Achievement and Africa Bridge. In addition, Ray is proud to have a place on the Board of Governors at Northwood University and actively seeks greater involvement.

Ray is an accomplished speaker and has delivered several keynote addresses for other franchises. Ray also has been published in a book entitled, “Inside the Minds: Buying a Franchise,” where Ray and other industry insiders share their vast knowledge on what to look for in a viable franchise.

In 2007, Ray was awarded the President’s “E” Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce for export excellence having increased export revenue for the SIGNARAMA brand by 700% in just three years. Also, in 2007 Ray was named Ernst & Young’s Florida Entrepreneur of the Year and the 2007 Counselor International Person of the Year.

Family values are very important to Ray both at home with his wife of 20 years, Andrea, and his three boys: A.J., Austin and Andrew, and at work where he exemplifies the same loyalty and dedication. The core of his executive team has an average tenure of over 15 years with an overall average tenure of over six years.

Ray Titus is an incredible leader and directly responsible for the continued success of the United Franchise Group as well as the many accomplishments yet to come.

 

 

Awards:

SIGNARAMA:

• Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500 List – Ranked #1 in Category
  2000 through 2009
• Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500 List – Ranked #87 overall
• Entrepreneur Magazine’s #1 Sign Franchise in the World:
  2000 through 2007
• Franchise Times Top 200:
  2001 ranked #166
  2002 ranked #161
  2004 ranked #155
  2006 ranked #125
  2007 ranked #122
  2008 ranked #105

 

EmbroidMe:

• #1 Embroidery Franchise in the World by Entrepreneur Magazine:
  2001 through 2009
• 2005 Entrepreneur Magazine: #4 Leading Franchise in Annual Top 50 New Franchises
• 2006 Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500 List:
  #1 in Category
  Ranked #99 overall
  2007 ranked #123
  2008 ranked #106
  2009 ranked 123

 

• 2008 Counselor Power 50 Award
• Billboard Connection: Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500 List 2006-2009
• Plan Ahead Events
  -2009 Franchise 500 listing 2008 (First year in business)
  -2009 Business Opportunity World Magazine (one of top home-based businesses)
  -Entrepreneur Magazine Top 500 listing (First year in business)
• 2000 “Top Franchise Chains” Franchise Times
• 2004 CK Yellow Pages Top Regional
  Revenue
• 2004 Northwood University – Arthur E. Turner
  Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award
• 2006 FedEx International Junior Leadership
• 2006 – United States Department of Commerce – President’s “E” Award – 1st Franchise to ever win this award
• 2007 Ernst & Young Florida Entrepreneur of the Year for Retail and Consumer Products
• 2008 American Free Enterprise Metal recipient

 

 

Charitable Contributions:

Medical:

• Mayo Clinic
• Sloane Kettering Hospital
• Red Cross
• Make-A-Wish
• Shriner’s Hospital
• Louis J. Acompara Memorial Foundation – Save-A-Heart
• Community Center Blood Bank

 

Humanity:

• Humane Society
• Habitat for Humanity – Build
• Home Project
• Hurricane & Tsunami Relief Victims:
  Puerto Rico
  Dominican Republic
  Sumatra, Indonesia
  New Orleans
• Africa Bridge

 

Education:

• Junior Achievement
• The King’s Academy
• Northwood University
• SIGNARAMA Detroit Scholarship
• South Florida Science Museum

 

Community:

• Boy Scouts of America
• YMCA of the Palm Beaches
• Boys & Girls Club
• Delray Beach Housing & Urban
• Prudential – Spirit of Community
• The Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches
• Children’s Place at Home Safe
• Heath Evans Family Foundation

 

Government:

• World War II Memorial – Charter Member
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Florida Sheriff’s Association

 

Religious:

• Chabad Temple of West Palm Beach
• First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach
• Dunklin Church

 

 

Classrooms:

• Developed a Franchise class at Northwood University, West Palm Beach, FL
• SIGNARAMA store at the Junior Achievement City Exchange, West Palm Beach, FL
• Built three classrooms in the Isogole District in Tanzania

 

 

Memberships/Directors:

• International Franchise Association (IFA) Chairman for CEO/President Forums, South Florida
• Signage & Graphics Summit – Advisory Council Member
• Minuteman Press – Board of Director
• Founder and President of Franchisors Association of Florida
• World Trade Center of Palm Beach – Board of Director
• Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches – Board of Director
• Board of Governors Northwood University (2005 – present)
• Franchise Education Strategic Advisory Board at NOVA Southeastern University
• King’s Academy Sports Boosters Club – President

 

 

Speaking Engagements:

• United States Congress
• Author – “Inside the Minds: Buying a Franchise”
• 2007 International Franchise Association Panel Speaker
• Prudential Spirit of Community

 

 

Education:

• St. John Fischer College, Rochester, NY
• Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL

 

Kenneth Switzer
Vice President / CFO – Marco’s Franchising, LLC

Ken Switzer has been a Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer of Marco’s Franchising LLC since January 12, 2004. He began working for Marco’s predecessor (Marco’s, Inc.) in a similar capacity in 1986. Mr. Switzer’s responsibilities include all corporate finance and the administration of franchising activities. He is the architect of the company’s captive leasing company, the loan loss guarantee entity, and its private equity venture capital fund. Mr. Switzer is also a franchisee of Marco's Pizza® stores and has been a store owner since 1992. Marco’s has 207 stores open and has over 1000 new stores committed to open in the next 10 years through their Area Representative program.

 

Debra Vilchis
Chief Operating Officer, Fishman Public Relations

Debra Vilchis is COO of Fishman Public Relations. Based in Chicago, Fishman Public Relations is the nation’s largest PR agency offering strategic publicity and social media programs exclusively for franchise companies. With a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Illinois at Springfield and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL, Debra has more than 20 years of real-world journalism and public relations experience. As a former reporter for the Associated Press, Debra covered state government affairs at AP’s Springfield, Ill. bureau and later served as a news reporter for The Daily Herald, the third largest daily newspaper in Illinois. Debra also served as a writer and editor for magazines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Safety Council. Since joining Fishman PR in January of 1999, Debra has directed PR campaigns for dozens of franchise organizations, generating coverage in Entrepreneur, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Inc., Fox Business, CNBC, NPR Radio and hundreds of local media outlets around the country. She is the former co-chair of the Chicago Chapter of the Women’s Franchise Network, part of the IFA’s Women’s Franchise Committee. Debra conducts PR, media training and social media seminars for franchise organizations around the country.