IFA Elects Seven New Board Members

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2020 – The International Franchise Association today announced the election of seven franchise business professionals to join its Board of Directors. The newly-elected board members will assume their positions at the end of IFA’s Summer Board Meeting in July, 2020.

“These individuals provide a valuable range of experiences across industries and sectors within franchising, and will meaningfully contribute to IFA’s Board as we strengthen, protect, and advocate for franchising,” said IFA Chair and CEO and President of FASTSIGNS International, Catherine Monson, CFE.

The new IFA directors include:

• Tom Baber, Multi-unit Franchisee, Money Mailer & IHOP
• Kristin Bitter, VP, Industry Affairs, The Coca-Cola Company
• Adam Contos, CFE, CEO, RE/MAX Holdings, Inc.
• Tim Davis, President, The UPS Store, Inc.
• Ned Lyerly, CFE, CEO, CKE Restaurants
• Karen Raskopf, Chief Communications Officer, Dunkin’ Brands
• Meg Roberts, CEO, The Lash Lounge

A short biography and description of the newly-elected board members is included below.

Tom Baber

Tom Baber is a multi-unit franchisee of both Money Mailer and IHOP (DineEquity). He has been self-employed for most of his career and has owned and continues to own businesses outside of franchising. He believes in and enjoys the franchising model and feels it important to keep the model strong. Mr. Baber serves on the Franchise Relations Committee and Franchisee Forum, while attending as many IFA events during the year as fit in his schedule. He believes it is important franchisees share their message and to find time to educate legislators on franchising's needs and challenges. Mr. Baber started his career in investment banking in New York before pursuing self-employment, and small business ownership remains his passion.

Kristin Bitter

Kristin has been working for The Coca-Cola Company for over 16 years including roles in Business Development, Customer Management, Industry Communications, Marketing and Brand Promotions.  In her current role, Kristin is the Coca-Cola liaison with foodservice industry organizations.

Kristin enjoys public speaking, guest lecturing on college campuses, and is active on social media.  She resides in Atlanta with her rescue pup Charlie B, and works in her local community with high risk youth in the foster care system. 

Adam Contos

Adam Contos is the CEO of RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., As CEO, Contos provides strategic direction and oversees the development and execution of major corporate initiatives for two franchise brands – one a constantly evolving icon (RE/MAX) and the other a distruptive start-up (Motto Mortgage). Adam began at RE/MAX in 2003 as an independent contractor following a successful 10-year career in law enforcement. In 2004, he joined RE/MAX full-time as a Senior Franchise Development Consultant. He was named Region Vice President in 2005. For the next eight years, he oversaw support operations in a series of regions; twice leading a RE/MAX Region of the Year. He spent a year leading Franchise Sales and a year as SVP of Marketing before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in early 2016. He was named Co-CEO in May 2017 and CEO in February 2018.

Tim Davis

Tim Davis became president of The UPS Store, Inc. in July 2012. He joined the company in March 2002 as vice president of technology. During his time at The UPS Store, Inc., he has held various roles in the company. In March 2004, he became vice president of iShip, Inc. (a UPS subsidiary). In January 2005, in addition to his iShip responsibilities, he reassumed his position as vice president of technology for The UPS Store, Inc. He was appointed to vice president of operations in November 2009. Prior to joining The UPS Store, Inc., Davis held a wide variety of leadership positions for ConnectShip, Inc., including vice president of operations and sales. He served on the executive management team during and after the UPS purchase of ConnectShip,lnc. Davis has earned Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation from the international Franchise Association. Davis is a former U.S. Marine Corps captain and a Gulf War Veteran and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from The Citadel as well as an MBA from the University of Tulsa.

Ned Lyerly

Ned Lyerly was named Chief Executive Officer in April 2019, heading two brands, Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., with a global footprint of over 3,900 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 44 states and 42 foreign countries and U.S. territories. Lyerly leads CKE’s overarching business, people and development strategies to drive growth and profitability, bringing more than 35 years of restaurant operating experience to the role. Previously, Lyerly was the company’s President, International, responsible for the growth of the CKE international footprint to 900+ restaurants. Prior to that role, he was Executive Vice President of Global Franchise Development where he oversaw franchise development for the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. brands in the United States and around the world. Over his 35 year career with CKE, Lyerly has held positions in many functional disciplines including: Senior Vice President International, Vice President International, Director - International Finance and Marketing, Director - Domestic Finance (Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.) Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis (Imasco USA, Inc. / Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.).

Lyerly is a Certified Franchise Executive and currently serves as a member of the International Franchise Association’s International Leadership Council. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Karen Raskopf

Karen Raskopf was named Dunkin’ Brands’ Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications in 2009, and currently serves as Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer. She brings more than thirty years of experience in the communications field to Dunkin’ Brands.

As Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, Karen is responsible for all aspects of the company’s global public relations, including internal and executive communications, marketing and crisis public relations, event management, corporate philanthropy and community relations. She also oversees all of the company's sustainability efforts and government affairs 

Prior to joining Dunkin’ Brands, she spent 12 years as Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications for Blockbuster, Inc. She also served as head of global communications for 7-Eleven, Inc. where she led all aspects of public relations for the international convenience store chain. Her background also includes leadership positions at Gannet Broadcasting. Karen is the recipient of several communications awards and is a featured speaker at numerous international conferences on best PR practices.  Karen was recently awarded the 2020 Reagan’s Top Women in Communications Award for Leadership.

She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Dallas with a degree in English.

Meg Roberts

Meg Roberts joined Franworth as an Operating Partner in 2018 where she serves as President of The Lash Lounge. Meg brings a proven track record of leadership, growth and marketing expertise to The Lash Lounge. She is most proud of her franchisee relationship skills and looks forward to building a system of success and satisfaction.  Meg began her career in franchising at Service Brands International where she served as the Vice President of Marketing overseeing both Molly Maid and Mr. Handyman where her primary focus was on national brand marketing and digital strategy. 

In 2012, Meg became the youngest President to lead the Molly Maid brand, a system of over 200 franchisees, where she built a team of Operations and Marketing experts to lead the brand into a new era of success.  Meg was named to Crain’s Detroit Magazine 40 under 40 and was featured in an episode of the A&E series “Be the Boss.” She serves on The Women’s Franchise Committee, the NextGen Committee and is part of the IFA Convention Planning team. Prior to  entering the franchising industry Meg spent eight years in marketing and television advertising with BBDO Chicago.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Marketing Research from Michigan State University.