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WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 26, 2006 — Lawrence “Doc” Cohen, president of Tomball, Texas-based Doc & Associates, a franchisee of the Great American Cookie Co. and Pretzel Time, today became the second franchisee in the history of the International Franchise Association to be named chairman of the organization. He accepted the gavel of leadership during the association’s 46th annual convention, being conducted in Palm Springs.

IFA, founded in 1960, serves as the “Voice of Franchising” with a membership that includes more than 1,000 franchise parent companies, 8,000 franchisees who operate the establishments and 400 firms that supply goods and services to the sector.

Cohen, an active member of IFA for more than a decade, has held many senior posts including Executive Committee vice-chairmanships, secretary and treasurer. He also chairs the 2006 Convention Committee, FranPAC Advisory Board and serves as a trustee of the IFA Educational Foundation.

He was the first franchisee to earn the designation of “Certified Franchise Executive” given by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives, an affiliate of the IFA Educational Foundation. Both IFA and Great American Cookie Co. have bestowed top franchisee honors on Cohen for his leadership.

Prior to entering the franchise sector, Cohen was a pharmacist and attorney. He received a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the Univ. of Georgia and a law degree from the university’s law school.

Lawrence “Doc” Cohen: