WASHINGTON, D.C. Feb. 16, 2011- iFranchise Group Senior Advisor Leonard Swartz, CFE, was presented the IFA Educational Foundation’s highest honor, the William Rosenberg Leadership Award, during the International Franchise Association’s 51st Annual Convention in Las Vegas.  

Swartz was instrumental in shaping the curriculum and first educational programs offered by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives.  He has served as treasurer of the foundation’s board of trustees and as treasurer of the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. In the 1980s, Swartz sustained the research work of the foundation by engaging the firm of Arthur Anderson to publish

Franchising in the Economy, 1989-1992
.   Following this research, Arthur Anderson conducted one of the earliest and most comprehensive research projects on international franchising,

International Expansion by U.S. Franchisors, 1996.  

“Lenny’s leadership and service to IFA and the foundation can be measured not in years, but in decades,” said Ann Rosenberg, CFE, a former IFA board of directors’ member and the member of the foundation’s board of directors.  “Few individuals have been involved longer and with more devotion.”

From the earliest days of IFA, as CFO at Dunkin’ Donuts in the 1960s and later as a management consultant working with many IFA members, Swartz has combined his passion for franchising with his experience and expertise in global franchising.  He has worked with franchisors, franchisees, master licensees and development agencies in more than 45 countries.  He has advised clients in a wide range of franchise businesses from coffee retail, to temporary placement, to global quick-service food chains. 

His service to IFA and the foundation on committees includes the International Affairs Committee, the Supplier Forum Advisory Board, the Finance Audit and Budget Committee and the ICFE Board of Governors.  He has also served on the advisory committee of the North American Securities Administrators Association. He is a CPA and a member of the Society of Certified Public Accountants.
The award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to franchise education, and to the IFA Educational Foundation, through research, teaching, fundraising or other activities or service.  The award was named to honor the memory of William Rosenberg, founding IFA chairman and founder of Dunkin’ Donuts.

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About the International Franchise Association


The International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising through government relations, public relations and educational programs. Through its awareness campaign highlighting the theme,

Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time,

IFA promotes the nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic activity generated by franchising. IFA members include franchise companies in over 90 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development
.

Editor’s Note:
To request a JPG of Leonard Swartz, CFE, contact the IFA Media Relations Department at 202-628-8000.