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We Believe In Team
From the beginning, we have understood that our skilled employees are what make Fresh Coat different from the competition. Every Fresh Coat painter is screened, bonded and insured. The brand’s painters are also all Fresh Coat employees—they aren’t subcontracted out from other sources.
Tara Riley, President
Tara’s vision has been charting Fresh Coat’s course as our President since 2014. She brings over 30 years of executive management and operations experience in franchising from household name brands, such as McDonald’s and Sports Clips, as well as younger, high-growth brands similar to Fresh Coat. Having also owned businesses herself, she understands the challenges and fears new business owners face and her desire to help them succeed as she has guides her leadership goals as President of Fresh Coat. With Tara at the helm, Fresh Coat expects to continue its growth in its quest to be the largest painting brand in the world.Tara Riley
President
Chris Seman, President, Strategic Franchising
Before his success with Caring Transitions, Chris previously served in various senior executive positions, including Vice President with Mr. Handyman International. Chris is a firm believer in franchising and the franchise model, having gained this belief through his experience as a franchise executive and by owing his own franchise. Chris owned and operated a successful Mr. Handyman franchise and knows firsthand the critical importance of having a world class training, marketing and operational support programs in place for franchise owners at all levels of the system. After five years of amazing growth and success with Caring Transitions, Chris was promoted to being the President for all five Strategic Franchising brands to help spread his ideas and proven systems throughout the company.
Chris Seman
President, Strategic Franchising
Ralph Martin, Co-Founder
Ralph Martin, a veteran of the US Coast Guard (where he served as a rescue C-130 flight engineer), is the Co-Founder of Fresh Coat. A graduate of Xavier University’s MBA program, he became the brand’s first franchisee in 2004, and during the company’s first 6 years in operation he also held the title of President. Under his leadership, and ever since, Fresh Coat has been consistently recognized both nationally and globally as a top performing franchising system. Before founding Fresh Coat, Ralph spent nearly 20 years as Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering for Delta Connection, the nation’s largest regional airline serving multiple destinations throughout the US and Canada. While there, he was responsible for the first technical introduction of the Canadair Regional Jet certified for commercial service in the United States. The engineering disciplines developed in the airline industry and Coast Guard engineer were instrumental to his successful build of the Fresh Coat system.Ralph Martin
Co-Founder
Steve Kwon, Senior VP of Franchising
Before joining Fresh Coat as the Senior VP of Franchising, Steve Kwon already had a successful history in franchising, taking emerging companies and turning them into national powerhouses. For more than 20 years, his boundless energy and contagious enthusiasm has catapulted the franchises he has touched into unprecedented new heights – such as Mathnasium, which became a premier afterschool supplemental education franchise under his leadership as VP of Franchising. Mr. Kwon brings his high-octane leadership style to Fresh Coat Painters as the Senior VP of Franchising.. Bringing all of his previous experience and pairing it with his seemingly endless energy and drive, Mr. Kwon and his team are helping hundreds navigate their path to business ownership through the Fresh Coat franchise.Steve Kwon
Senior VP of Franchising
Tom Tucker, VP of Operations
Tom is a seasoned servant leader, a US Army veteran and prior small business owner who comes to FreshCoat with over 30 years of executive management experience in both franchising and operations with global brands such as Pizza Hut, Yum! Brands, and Realty Executives International. Tom is committed to the FreshCoat growth vision, and also to leading and guiding a team dedicated to providing each FreshCoat franchise partner with World Class Support to help them either build a solid business base or grow and scale their business into a larger operation.Tom Tucker
VP of Operations
Rhonda Gaskill, VP of Development
After 15 years in corporate leadership -with both LINE-X and American Driveline Systems- Rhonda Gaskill brings with her a varied background and record of success in operations, development, and sales. Having served in both the retail and the development side of LINE-X Franchises, Mrs. Gaskill’s experience provides her with a unique perspective and an intimate knowledge of the franchising landscape.Having served in multiple development capacities; including corporate training, franchise development and franchise operation, Mrs. Gaskill looks to utilize her personal and professional insights to further improve the Fresh Coat Franchise team as it continues to grow and evolve.
Rhonda Gaskill
VP of Development
Joe Grimes, CFO
With more than 25 years of Finance and Tax experience and senior management responsibilities with global brands such as Procter and Gamble and Rockwell International, Joe ensures our continued financial success as Fresh Coat’s CFO. His dedication and thoroughness serve as the secure foundation as Fresh Coat continues to grow into ever expanding markets.Joe Grimes
CFO
Brian Santos, Director of Education
Known around the world was “The Wall Wizard”, Brian Santos was an entrepreneur and extremely accomplished as a home improvement contractor before joining the Fresh Coat team as the Director of Education. Brian has written many books on home improvement, and painting specifically, including his most recent one, Painting and Wallpapering Secrets. Brian teaches our new franchisees all they need to know about the industry, and is always quick to respond to any technical questions or how best to overcome the unique challenges you may encounter when working within people’s homes.Brian Santos
Director of Education & Business Coach
Darrell Mobley, Director of Field Operations
Darrell is a US Navy veteran, spent 22 years with the McDonald’s corporation as a Franchise Business Consultant and was part of the design team for McCafe which rolled nationally in 2008 and for the past 11 years he has been helping the franchisees at Sport Clips scale and grow their business as a Regional Franchise Director. As Director of Field Operations, Darrell delivers high impact coaching and support to each franchisee in the Fresh Coat system.Darrell Mobley
Director of Field Operations
Bob Heine, Sr. Director of Franchise Development
After more than three decades of franchise experience, Bob has awarded more than 250 franchises in several industries. He has seen what it takes to be a successful franchise owner, and here, as the Sr. Director of Franchising at Fresh Coat, he helps guide aspiring business owners to understanding the path to success as a Fresh Coat franchisee.Bob Heine
Sr. Director of Franchise Development
Jon Smith
Director of Franchising
Ulysses Lutz, Director of Franchising
Ulysses brings many years of success discovering new business selecting the right mix of solutions, services for unique environments and circumstances to the Fresh Coat team. He believes in distinctive purpose-built solutions/service offerings and has experience leading discovery teams in presenting use cases to interested clients.Fun Facts: Ulysses is a Drummer, Swimmer and Fashion Attentive.
Ulysses Lutz
Director of Franchising
Lindsey Van Tongeren, Business Coach
When you’ve started a business and turn to a Business Coach for advice, you want someone that knows what they are talking about. Fresh Coat franchisees get that experience with Lindsay, who has been coaching franchisees for more than thirty years! Lindsay is a single point of contact for his franchisees, building relationships on trust and respect to maximize growth and profitability.Lindsey Van Tongeren
Business Development Manager
Alyssa Holton, Business Coach
Alyssa provides unique coaching to our franchise partners having been a prior Fresh Coat franchise owner, and she also has experience as a business owner, as well as over a decade of experience in human resources and training in the hotel industry.
Alyssa Holton
Business Coach
Mark Crittenden, Business Coach
Mark has over 25 years of management and franchising experience, having been a franchise business owner and serving in various leadership roles including 8 years designing, selling and implementing facilities maintenance programs.Mark Crittenden
Business Coach
Michael Herrmann, Business Coach
Michael has over 20 years of management and franchising coaching experience with large brands and his family has over a decade of experience in the construction industry.
Michael Herrmann
Business Coach
Todd Grandstaff, Sr. Marketing Manager
Todd brings over 20 years of account management experience in marketing to Fresh Coat. He has helped numerous local, national and international businesses develop strategic marketing plans. His experience in digital marketing, traditional advertising, public relations, vendor management and stakeholder communication are perfectly suited to help the Fresh Coat franchises expand their book of business.Todd Grandstaff
Sr. Marketing Manager
Shannon Roll
Digital Marketing Manager
Mary Ann Chadwell, Office Manager
Mary Ann is our Office Coordinator and the voice you’ll hear whenever you call the Fresh Coat office in Cincinnati. She has several years of experience in the advertising industry with reports, graphics, and support. Mary Ann coordinates with all of our staff in various projects, and also assists both existing and potential franchise owners find the right expert to get their questions answered.Mary Ann Chadwell
Office Manager
Paula Hummell, Franchise Development Specialist
Paula has over 25 years of experience in Administrative Support, specializing in Sales and Project Management. Additionally, she has extensive experience in Customer Service, which she now uses at Fresh Coat to aid the team in our Sales Process, ensuring all of our work is finalized perfectly.Paula Hummell
Office Administrator