Franchising World, April 2008

A leak-detection pioneer and a franchise development manager were chosen to receive two of the IFA Educational Foundation’s highest honors.

Richard “Dick” Rennick, CFE, founder and past CEO of American Leak Detection received the William Rosenberg Leadership Award and Eva Crosland, manager of franchise development of Gymboree Play & Music, received the Irl Marshall Certified Franchise Executive Scholarship Award during the International Franchise Association’s 48th annual convention.

Rennick helped to revolutionize the leak detection industry by developing high-tech, non-invasive equipment to find hidden water, sewer, oil, petroleum and air leaks.   The firm he founded has more than 360 franchise units in 41 states and a dozen foreign countries.

He often consults with other franchise systems to evaluate their business model and recommend improvements to their programs and processes. Today he leads a concept that trains, coaches and monitors business executives.

Rennick has been an active member of IFA for more than two decades. He was appointed chairman of its board of directors in 2005 and currently serves on the Executive Committee. He was chairman of the IFA Educational Foundation in 2004, founded the Franchise Emergency Action Team, a non-profit network designed to mobilize the franchising community to help people affected by disasters.  Rennick was named the IFA’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997.

The William Rosenberg Leadership Award honors those who have made significant contributions to franchise education and to the IFA Educational Foundation through research, teaching, fund raising or other activities or service.  Rosenberg, founder of Dunkin’ Donuts, was also a co-founder of the trade association.

Crosland is responsible for awarding qualified applicants franchises, conducting “Discovery Day” presentations and assisting franchisees with operational and management issues.  Since joining the company in 1990 as an administrative assistant, she has advanced by serving as coordinator of operations and development and assistant manager of franchise development.

She is currently enrolled in the Certified Franchise Executive program, which is a comprehensive course of study in franchise management offered by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives.  The institute is the academic branch of the IFA’s Educational Foundation.

Crosland is the seventh recipient of the scholarship award.  The program was established in 2000 by a grant from Marshall, a former chairman and CEO of Duraclean International.  He served as IFA chairman in 1986 and was an honorary member of the board of trustees of the foundation until his death in December.

The Certified Franchise Executive scholarship program was created to encourage and support outstanding candidates who are enrolled in the CFE professional development program.  More than 600 franchise executives are currently enrolled in the program, which provides expanded knowledge, industry recognition, peer-level networking, and a professional standing through the CFE designation.  Candidates who complete the course of study and meet the requirements of the program receive the CFE designation.

Visit Franchie.org to learn more about the awards and the CFE program.