ATLANTA, GA.
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TSS Photography Franchisee and VetFran alumnus Gerald Jordan speaks with local media members during the Atlanta VetFran launch event.
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Members of the Atlanta organizing committee include Foot Solutions Dir. of Franchise Sales Robert Saade, TSS Photography Pres./COO Joe Lindenmayer, Aaron's Rent National Dir. of Franchising Greg Tanner, Firestorm Franchising Exec. Vice Pres. & Chief Development Officer Jim Squire and Foot Solutions CEO &Founder Ray Margiano at the Georgia State Capitol on Nov. 10 to launch Operation Enduring Opportunity.
SAN DIEGO, CALIF.
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TeamLogic IT Pres. Chuck Lennon, The UPS Store Franchise Consultant Steve Deutermann, The UPS Store Vice Pres. of Operations Tim Davis and Calif. State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, 75th District, launch Operation Enduring Opportunity on Nov. 10 at The UPS Store University in San Diego.
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The UPS Store Vice Pres. of Operations Tim Davis (USMC, Ret.) echoing First Lady Michelle Obama's commitment to hire and recruit 75,000 veterans and 5,000 Wounded Warriors by 2014.
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From left, Calif. State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, 75th District and The UPS Store Vice Pres. of Operations Tim Davis at The UPS Store University San Diego Nov. 10, announcing the largest industry veteran hiring commitment to date.
BOSTON, MASS.
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From left, The UPS Store Pres. Stuart Mathis, multi-unit owner Chris Pederson, Franchisee and former U.S. Army Capt. Jamie Salisbury, SBA Administrator Karen Mills, Mass. Lt. Governor Tim Murray, IFA Pres. & CEO Steve Caldeira and Mass. Sec. of Veterans Services Coleman Nee (USMC, Ret.
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IFA Pres. & CEO Steve Caldeira discusses veterans' stability and success in franchising with Massachusetts Lt. Governor Tim Murray at a Boston UPS Store on Nov. 11.
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From left, Mass. Lt. Governor Tim Murray, SBA Administrator Karen Mills, IFA Pres. & CEO Steve Caldeira, and The UPS Store President Stuart Mathis (not shown) were in Boston to announce a partnership to help veterans own and manage small businesses with Capt. Jamie Salisbury, a veteran small-business owner of a UPS store.
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IFA, SBA Highlight Plans to Help Veterans Own Franchises in Boston
IFA President and CEO Steve Caldeira, CFE, joined SBA Administrator Karen Mills, Massachusetts Lt. Governor Tim Murray, President of The UPS Store Stuart Mathis, National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders Chair Lynn Ozer and BoeFly Chief Strategy Officer Mike Rozman in Boston to announce a partnership on Veterans Day to help veterans own and manage small businesses. The UPS Store owned by Chris Petersen served as the location for the event, in which Jamie Salibury, a veteran and small-business owner of a UPS Store, also participated.
"On this patriotic day, it is only natural for us to reflect on our nation's veterans who have the leadership skills and experience to become successful entrepreneurs and small business owners," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "The impact of this initiative will mean veterans and their families will get the chance to pursue their dreams as entrepreneurs and create jobs to drive economic growth at a critical time for our country."
The visit included veterans who have found career stability and success in franchising.
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.
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U.S. Small Business Administration Regional Administrator for Region VIII Dan Hannaher discusses the importance of the White House Joining Forces initiative to hire and recruit America's Veterans in Colorado Springs, Colo.
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Visitors stop by Pikes Peak Workforce Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. to support Conspire! and IFA's efforts to hire veterans.
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From left, Conspire! Dir. of Franchise Development Tracy Iverson, Conspire! CEO and Founder Lynette Crow-Iverson, U.S. Small Business Administration Regional Administrator for Region VIII Dan Hannaher, Colorado Springs City Council President Pro-Tern Jan Martin, Colorado Springs Economic Vitality Specialist Donna Nelson, and Army Veteran and Colorado State Representative Larry Liston, join together in Colorado Springs to support IFA's campaign to hire veterans.
SEATTLE, WASH.
Army National Guard and Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.). and Attorney at Law and JAG Officer Frank Selden, join together in Seattle to support the First Lady's message for hiring and recruiting 75,000 veterans and 5,000 Wounded Warriors by 2014.
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Guidant Financial CEO and Co-Founder David Nilsen and Programs and Development Coordinator. USO Puget Sound Chris Cote, come together to support IFA's Operation Enduring Opportunity, offering returning veterans career paths in franchising
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Guidant Financial CEO and Co-Founder David Nilsen, Army National and Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), and attorney at Law and JAG Officer Frank Selden highlight the benefits of franchise small-business ownership for veterans in Seattle, Wash., at Guidant Financial
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
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Operation Enduring Opportunity activities included participation From Tasti D-Lite executives, franchise and District Sec. Andria George from the office of State Rep. Daniel Davis.
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Tasti D-Lite COO Peter Holt supporting First Lady Michelle Obama's commitment to hire and recruit 75,000 veterans and 5,000 Wounded Warriors by 2014.
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U.S. Navy Color Guard Drill Team performs in Jacksonville Florida on Nov. 10 in support of Operation Enduring Opportunity.
WACO, TEXAS
Mr. Rooter Vice Pres. of Operations Jeff Moody, Veterans Coalition for the Heart of Texas Coordinator Maggie McCarthy, Waco Mayor Jim Bosh, Mr. Electric Franchisee in Bryan/College Station in Texas Chrislynn Casiano, who used the VetFran Program and Veterans Employment Representative for Texas Veterans Commission Richard Chouinard support IFA's VetFran initiative in Waco, Texas.
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Beth Solomon is vice president, strategic initiatives and industry relations for the International Franchise Association. She can be reached at 202-662-0789 or bsolomon@franchise.org.
IFA MEMBERS HIRING & RECRUITMENT COMMITMENTS
Aaron's Rents
The American Poolplayers Association
Arby's
Bancorp Bank
COIT
Conspire!
The Dwyer Group
Falcon Holdings
FASTSlGNS International
Fitness Together and Elements Therapeutic Massage
Foot Solutions
Franchise America Finance
FranchisEsource Brands International
Global Franchise Group
Guidant Financial
PostNet International
ServiceMaster Clean
Sport Clips Haircuts
TeamLogic IT
TSS Photography
The UPS Store
Valpak
WIN Home Inspection
Operation Enduring Opportunity
On Nov. 10, IFA launched "Operation Enduring Opportunity," a campaign including the industry's more than 825,000 franchise establishments, which support nearly 18 million jobs, to hire and recruit 75,000 veterans and 5,000 wounded warriors by 2014. The announcement represents the largest industry veteran hiring commitment to date.
LAUNCH EVENTS MEDIA COVERAGE
NOVEMBER 2011
"We need to ensure that America's sons and daughters, who have served the nation so bravely, now can transition to stable civilian lives in which they can and should become leaders in our nation's economy."--Steve Caldeira, IFA Pres. & CEO
IFA Pres & CEO Steve Caldeira joins US. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Chris Coons (D.-Del) to introduce tile bipartisan American Growth, Recovery, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Act "The AGREE Act (S. 1866)," including the Help Veterans Own Franchises Act (HR 2888, S 1540) to veterans with a tax credit equal to 25% of franchise fees, not to exceed $100,000.
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IFA Pres & CEO Steve Caldeira presents the award for Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse Employment to Drew Myers, former Captain in the US Maline Corps and Founder of Recruit Military at the Lee Anderson Awards dinner at the U S Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 10.
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FOX BUSINESS 11/11/11
Veterans Find Franchises a Great Fit for Business Ownership
THE WASHINGTON POST 11/10/11
First lady announces big step-up in pledges to hire vets, spouses: sees US 'wave of support'
ENTREPRENEUR
11/10/11
BY DINAH WISENBERG BRIN
The franchise industry has long seen military veterans as particularly fit for duty as franchisees This week, to mark Veterans Day, it's stepping up efforts to bring more returning soldiers into the fold.
HUFFINGTON POST
11/10/11
BY CHRISTINA WILKIE
U.S. Navy Captain Brad Cooper, executive director of the White House Joining Forces Initiative said the IFA's commitment 'represents the largest employment commitment seen to date from the private sector."
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"Finally, finally a good news story...a new bipartisan jobs bill designed to attract broad Congressional support was unveiled today. It would...provide a tax credit to veterans hoping to start franchises."--WOLF BLITZER, CNN, NOV. 15
U.S. SSG Shilo Harris (U.S. Army, Ret.), Captain Brad Cooper, U.S. Navy, and Executive Director of the White House Joining Forces Initiative, and IFA Pres, & CEO Steve Caldeira at the 2nd Annual Wounded Warrior Hiring and Support Conference on Nov 9 in Tyson's Corner, Virginia.
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Mary Kennedy Thompson, Pres, of Mr. Rooter Corporation, Chairman of IFA's VetFran Committee, Former officer in the Marine Corps, Eric K, Shinseki. U.S. Army four-star general (Ret.), 7th U.S Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Dina Dwyer-Owens, Chairwoman and CEO, The Dwyer Group & IFA Past Chair. at the US Chamber Hiring Our Heroes Lee Anderson Awards dedication,
