International Franchise Association Announces New Board Leadership

New board members

Names 16 new franchisor, franchisee, and supplier leaders to serve on IFA Board of Directors in 2027; Top leaders in franchising guide organization in its mission to protect, enhance, and promote franchising

October 15, 2026 // Franchising.com // WASHINGTON – The International Franchise Association (IFA) today named sixteen new franchise leaders elected to serve on its Board of Directors in 2027. The new directors, comprised of franchisor, franchisee, and supplier members, will begin their terms at the 2027 IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, February 22-24, 2027.

“These franchise executives bring invaluable experience to the IFA Board of Directors, as they see firsthand how franchising helps build thriving brands and supports local business ownership,” said Matt Haller, IFA President and CEO. “I am grateful for their commitment to IFA’s mission to strengthen the franchise model as the IFA continues to grow and increase our membership value.”

“This accomplished group has shown their dedication to strengthening franchising as a whole, and their valuable experience will provide unique perspectives to the IFA Board of Directors after years of pivotal growth for the association,” said Sam Ballas, Chair of the IFA Board of Directors and CEO and Co-Founder of East Coast Wings + Grill and Sammy’s Sliders. “With expertise across industries and roles, their leadership will help IFA continue its work to advance the franchise model and expand business ownership opportunities worldwide.”

The 2027 IFA Board of Directors includes representation across industries and business lines, reflecting the franchise business model’s diversity and the breadth of IFA’s membership. According to IFA data, there are over 832,000 franchise businesses in the U.S., employing nearly 9 million people and generating more than $900 billion in economic output, representing over 300 different industries in nearly every community across the country.

Franchisee Board Members:

• Nadeem Bajwa – Co-Founder & CEO, Bajco Group

• Ben Johnson – Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, KBP Brands

• Lauren Johnson – President, Quadcoast LLC

• Steve Wazny – Principal, Wazny Management Group

Franchisor Board Members:

• Kerry Bundy – Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, Great Clips

• Kim Gubera – President & CEO, PIRTEK USA, LLC

• Richie Huffman – CEO, Celebree School

• Heather McLeod – Chief Marketing Officer, BNI

• David Mesa – President, Ballard Brands

• Heather Nykolaychuk – President, Budget Blinds

• Carrie Walsh – CEO, Hand and Stone

• Craig Wright – Chief Executive Officer, Aqua-Tots Swim School

• Stuart Youngs – Group Vice President, Legal, Franchise Services, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Supplier Board Members:

• Brad Fishman – CEO, Fishman Public Relations, Inc.

• Patrick Galleher – Chairman & Managing Partner, Boxwood Partners

• Ron Gardner – Partner, Dady & Gardner, P.A.

The new directors will serve an initial three-year term beginning in February 2027.

Ifa officers and forums

In addition to the new directors, IFA announces the succession of its 2027 officers who will help lead this esteemed group of franchise business owners and executives.

The 2027 IFA officers include:

• Chair: Gary Robins, President, The G & C Robins Company (Franchisee of Supercuts and Waxing the City)

• Vice Chair: Dave Mortensen, Co-Founder, Anytime Fitness; Board Member, Purpose Brands

• Second Vice Chair: Emma Dickison, CEO & President and Board Member, Home Helpers Home Care

• Immediate Past Chair: Sam Ballas, CEO & Co-Founder, East Coast Wings + Grill and Sammy’s Sliders

The 2027 IFA Board of Directors will also include representatives from each of the IFA’s three forums (Franchisee Forum, Franchisor Forum, and Supplier Forum Advisory Board), as well as the current leaders of the Diversity Institute Board and the Women’s Franchise Committee. The following representatives will serve on the Board while serving in their respective role:

• Franchisee Forum Chair – Stephen Shields, Franchise Owner, Express Employment Professionals Vice Chair – Lisa Lombardo, President, Ark Holdings

• Franchisor Forum Chair – Tom Wood, CEO, Floor Coverings International Vice Chair – Larisa Walega, Chief Growth Officer, Ziebart

• Supplier Forum Advisory Board Chair – Daniel Mormino, President of Sales and Chief Business Officer, InfinitiHR Vice Chair – Alex Porter, CEO, Location3

• Chair of the IFA Foundation’s Diversity Institute Board – John Lancaster, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development, Choice Hotels

• Chair of the IFA Women’s Franchise Committee – Ali Kraus, Chief Marketing Officer, Benetrends Financial

The new directors’ full bios are available here.

Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 832,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.8 million direct jobs, $907.

3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.