IFA elects new board members

The International Franchise Association (IFA) announced that 14 new board members have been elected to its board of directors.

Each board member is a franchise professional and includes franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers. The new board members will officially assume their positions at the 2026 IFA Annual Convention scheduled to be held in Las Vegas on Feb. 23-Feb. 25, 2026. New directors serve a three-year term.

“These accomplished leaders represent the best of franchising—business owners and executives who understand the power of franchising to grow brands and support local ownership in the U.S. and around the world,” said Matt Haller, IFA president and CEO. “I’m grateful for their volunteer service in support of the IFA mission to strengthen the franchise business model and ensure the success of our members across all sectors.”

“Serving on the IFA Board of Directors is one of the highest honors a member of the franchise community can have to advance the franchise business model and the opportunities it creates,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, chair of the IFA Board of Directors and CEO of BNI. “This group brings a wealth of experience from across franchising’s diverse ecosystem. Their insight and leadership will help IFA continue to advocate for franchising and expand opportunity in the U.S. and around the world.”

The incoming 2026 IFA Board Members include:

• Bill Bode, Chief Operating Officer, Planet Fitness

• Lane Fisher, Partner, Fisher Zucker

• Charles Keyser, President, Neonwax, LP

• Kevin King, CEO and President, Donatos Pizza

• Shelly O’Callaghan, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, International Dairy Queen

• Nadia Sarangi, VP and Associate General Counsel, IHG Hotels & Resorts

• Joe Sieve, Chief Restaurant and Global Development Officer, Papa Johns International

• Cheryl Stanton, Chief Legal and Government Affairs Officer, Brightstar Care

• Brad Stevenson, Chief Development Officer, Neighborly

• Sam Tatevosyan, VP, Federal Government Relations and Global Policy, McDonald’s Corporation

• Clement Troutman, Franchise Owner, Tropical Smoothie Cafe

• Larisa Walega, Chief Growth Officer, Ziebart

• Richard Weissman, Chairman, CEO, & Co-Founder, The Learning Experience

• Tom Wood, President & CEO, Floor Coverings International

Leading the IFA Board of Directors, the 2026 IFA officers include:

• Chair – Sam Ballas, CEO & Founder, East Coast Wings + Grill and Sammy’s Sliders

• Vice Chair – Gary Robins, President, The G & C Robins Company

• Second Vice Chair – Dave Mortensen, Co-founder and Board Member, Purpose Brands

• Immediate Past Chair – Mary Kennedy Thompson, CEO, BNI

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