Mitch Cohen

Mitch Cohen is currently CEO of Management 360 LLC. Mr. Cohen is responsible for the development of 5 Jersey Mike’s Subs locations in Long Island, New York. Prior to that, Mr. Cohen managed the production and distribution operations for his network of 13 franchise locations which include Baskin- Robbins, Dunkin’ Donuts and Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs. He has been an active franchisee for more than 32 years. Mr. Cohen co-chaired The Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation (DDBRCF) for 16 years, and just received the Long Island Business News Corporate Citizenship Nonprofit of the Year award for 2015 for his work as co-chair. He is currently the co-chair for IFA’s Franchisee Relations Committee, member of IFA’s Franchisee Forum and FRANPAC, and is a past member of IFA’s Board of Directors. Mitch attended St. John’s Military Academy, Lincoln College and Eastern University.

John “JD” Draper, CFE

John “JD” Draper is CEO of Viridian Group LLC and a multi-state, multi-unit franchisee with Company. Mr. Draper has over four decades of retail and operational management experiences. He was President of Operations at V & J Holdings Companies, Inc. in Milwaukee from 1994 until 2014. Throughout his career he has had direct responsibility for over 100 restaurants, including , , Auntie Annie’s, Beanery, Bakery, Haagen Dazs and MyYoMy Frozen Yogurt. While developing his career in hospitality, Mr. Draper served as a Dental Specialist Five in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years, owned and operated J.C. Draper Management Consultant, Inc. and for four years was an owner, Vice President and General Manager of two radio stations, WJIZ-FM and WJYZ- AM Communications Group in Albany, GA. He is First Vice-Chair and a board member of the IFA Diversity Institute, and was named the 2014 IFA Ronald E. Harrison Diversity Award recipient for his accomplishments in diversity and inclusion. In 2015, he was the state finalist from Wisconsin for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s Faces of Diversity Award. Mr. Draper attended Wayne State University, where he majored in business administration.

Deidre Eues

Deidre Eues is the Director of Operations for the seven San Diego Nothing Bundt Cakes locations. Prior to her success at Nothing Bundt Cakes, she worked in customer service and taught music to middle and high school students. After achieving her B.A. in Interior Design, Ms. Eues found that her real career aspirations lay in cake design rather than kitchen design. Trading in her drafting pens for pastry, she found that her real career goal was to follow in her mentor Mara Fortin’s footsteps in aiding others in personal and professional development, especially in young women, to become successful business leaders.

Mara Fortin

Mara Fortin is the owner of Nothing Bundt Cakes, San Diego, CA. She found a niche for her abilities to flourish - not only in the pursuit of achievement – but in a way that greatly influences the Nothing Bundt Cakes brand nationally and regionally in her 7 bakeries. Ms. Fortin encourages the growth of small business and protects its existence by using her legal background and the grit of almost 10 years’ experience opening small, but prolific, retail bakeries. Her philanthropy through charitable partnerships with Susan G. Koman and Rady’s Children’s Hospital, leadership as an IFA member, amongst other organizations, and involvement in the franchise as an FAC member demonstrates her passion for business development and sustainability. ‘Doing good business’ is not only a matter of money, but a matter of leadership, and advocacy. She mentors her team, fellow franchisees and community, and proudly represents her brand every day.

Jesse Kennedy

Jesse Kennedy is a Taco John’s General Manager. He has been working in the quick service industry for 17 years. While coming up through the ranks of crew member, Shift Manager, Assistant Manager, and now a General Manager, he has experienced how a business is ran. Mr. Kennedy has always strived for excellence in all aspects of his work, but with many different components, it can be difficult. He enjoys the challenges he faces in the work place, and has always set a stern, yet interactive and fun expectation for his employees.

Tamra Kennedy

Tamra owns and operates nine Taco John’s franchise locations in Minnesota and . Her 30+ years path took her from secretary to owner via working nights in the restaurants while studying accounting and managing the bookkeeping for the previous owner. She believes that the powerful combination of people, panning, and passion is the key to thriving in tomorrow’s marketplace.

Paul Kenny

Paul Kenney is the owner of two IHOP restaurants and has been an IHOP franchisee since 1982. Mr. Kenny is a member of the IHOP Franchise Leadership Council, IHOP National Marketing Committee, and a board member of the Blue Roof Franchise Association.

Matthew Patinkin

Matthew Patinkin is the co-owner of Double P Corporation. Double P Corporation currently owns and operates Auntie Anne’s Pretzel, Frozen Yogurt, and stores in eight states, and is the largest franchisee of Auntie Anne’s in the U.S. In 2014 Double P created a joint venture to become the Master Franchisee of Auntie Anne’s Pretzel’s in Canada. Mr. Patinkin is an active partner and member of the Board. He is currently a member of IFA’s Board of Directors, and has been a senior executive, consultant and board member for multi-unit retail, specialty food and real estate businesses for over 30 years. Mr. Patinkin graduated from Beloit College in 1979 with a degree in Economics. Susan Rather

Susan Rather is the owner of several BrightStar Care franchises in Wisconsin, with her husband. They also own and operate a high acuity neighborhood style Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in Madison, WI, a new BrightStar franchised offering (BrightStar Senior Living). Her role in both organizations is developing team members that share her passion for helping families by providing great care and service to their clients, hiring compassionate staff and ensuring they have the resources necessary to do their work. Prior to her work in the senior care environment, Ms. Rather was a Medical Technologist. She worked 25+ years in various medical laboratory settings, with expertise in personnel management, regulatory compliance and process improvement. Susan earned her BS in Medical Technology from University Wisconsin – Eau Claire, and a Master of Human Relations from the University of .

Adam Robinson

Adam Robinson is CEO of Hireology, Inc. Mr. Robinson has spent the last twenty years helping business owners succeed through better hiring and strong culture. Workforce Magazine named Mr. Robinson a “Top 25 HR Game-Changer,” and as CEO, he has led his company to being named “Top Company Culture” by Entrepreneur magazine, “Best Place to Work for Millennials and GenX” by Crain’s Chicago Business, and a 101 Best and Brightest Company to Work For. This relentless focus on people and culture produced results that led to Hireology being named #94 on the 2016 Inc. 500 list of America’s fastest growing private companies, and a client roster of over 100 leading franchise brands and more than 3000 franchise locations.

Lou Silverblank

Lou Silverblank is the owner of Silverhill, Inc. and opened his FASTSIGNS business in 2008. Before becoming a franchisee, Mr. Silverblank was a senior database architect for Thomas Publishing Company and its subsidiaries. Mr. Silverblank is a graduate of Temple University with both a bachelor and masters in music.

Jack Smalley

Jack Smalley is Director of Human Resource Learning & Development for Express Employment Professionals. He provides leadership, human resource training and consulting for more than 700 Express offices and their clients in the U.S. and Canada. Mr. Smalley has devoted his career to the field of leadership and human resources. His expertise includes executive level management in a number of different industries including staffing, oil, chemical and packaging with an emphasis in corporate leadership, sales, engineering, logistics and manufacturing. Mr. Smalley is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and holds the designations of SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional) and SPHR (Senior Professional Human Resources).

Charles Stempler

Charles “Chuck” Stempler is President & CEO of AlphaGraphics of Seattle, WA, owning multiple AlphaGraphics units. He is an active member of the IFA Franchise Action Network, notably in his efforts to promote the value of franchising in his community and participating as a plaintiff in the IFA lawsuit against the City of Seattle’s discriminatory wage law. Before becoming a franchisee in 2001, Mr. Stempler held numerous executive positions with leading apparel manufacturing companies. He currently serves as Board President of the Holocaust Center for Humanity, Board Chairman of the Humane Society of Seattle/King County, board member at Seattle Arts and Lectures, Chairman of the Belltown Business Association and President of the Portofino Homeowners Association. Chuck earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jeffrey Tews

Jeffrey Tews has been a BrightStar Care franchisee since September 2006, and is currently a multi-unit franchisees operating four territories in seven counties in South Central Wisconsin, with his wife. They are also a single branch franchisee of Mr. Handyman in the Madison area. Mr. Tews and his wife are the first franchisees of a new brand, BrightStar Senior Living which provides assisted living and memory care support. They have twice been named BrightStar's Franchisees of the Year. Mr. Tews was the first co- chair of the BrightStar Franchise Advisory Committee and is a current chair of the IFA Franchisee Forum where he has served on the IFA Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the past two years. Prior to becoming a franchisee, Mr. Tews earned an MBA from the University of Minnesota, was a corporate customer service executive for 33 years at US West and Qwest Communications for 28 years and finished his corporate career as a Senior Vice President at US Bank.