Office Pride announces Franchise of the Year, Rookie of the Year award winners at annual conference

Office Pride Birmingham-Trussville, Ala., owned by Van Sims, was named Franchise of the Year; Preston Hund of Office Pride Denton-Lewisville, Texas, was named Rookie of the Year. These two winners were chosen among the company’s more than 140 franchise locations nationwide.

Awards were bestowed at the 2026 Office Pride Annual Conference, held recently in Savannah, Ga. with the theme of “Strong Roots, Bold Future.”

Office Pride executives considered several criteria when selecting each awardee.

“We wanted to promote a franchise who made leaps and bounds in growth, are stewards in their community and who represent the brand to the fullest extent,” said Office Pride CEO Doug Phillip, describing the Franchise of the Year award selection process. “Van Sims and his Birmingham-Trussville location embody all of these elements.”

To Sims, winning Franchise of the Year means a great deal. “It represents the hard work and commitment that's been poured into serving my clients and supporting each and every team member,” he said.

In addition to his work as a business owner, Sims is also a veteran of the Navy Reserves. He believes his military experience has been an asset in his ability to run a successful franchise business. “My time in the Navy taught me strong leadership skills, discipline and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure, which enhances execution and accountability in business,” said Sims. “I’ve also learned to excel in teamwork, operational efficiency and adaptability, which complements my role as a business leader and operator.”

According to Phillip, Preston Hund was a clear winner for Rookie of the Year based on his exceptional sales performance and operational leadership.

“Since opening his franchise, Preston has quickly distinguished himself as one of the strongest emerging performers in the region,” said Phillip. “With only 18 months in business, he has grown revenue a remarkable 264 percent. He ensures he knocks on doors and exchanges business cards wherever possible to maximize opportunities. What sets Preston apart is not only his ability to grow, but also his ability to retain every account, demonstrating strong consistency in service, relationship management and customer satisfaction.”

“To me, it’s a great validator of things moving in the right direction,” said Hund of winning the Rookie of the Year award. “This award is encouragement to continue to stick to the plan and stay committed to the process for more growth and business development. I think the most meaningful impact was the encouragement and wealth of shared knowledge from other owners further along in their business journey. It’s exciting to know so many folks, with so many cumulative years of learning and wisdom, are there to support and encourage your success.”