For immediate release
Contact:
Alisa Harrison, 202-628-8000
Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770



aharrison@franchise.org


mhaller@franchise.org


twitter.com/franchising411

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2011—Former Congressman Charles J. Melancon has been named senior vice president of Government Relations & Public Policy for the International Franchise Association, IFA President & CEO Steve Caldeira announced today.

“We are thrilled that Charlie Melancon will join IFA as our top government relations representative,” Caldeira said. “Charlie’s strong pro-business background and his bi-partisan relationships on Capitol Hill will help the IFA, and the franchising industry, strengthen and advance our job creation agenda in Washington.”

In his position, Melancon will set the strategic direction for IFA’s lobbying and political activities, including managing staff covering federal and state issues, the IFA grassroots program, Franchise Congress, and overseeing the association’s political action committee, FranPAC.

“As a former franchise owner, I fully understand the challenges facing small business owners,” said Melancon. “I know from my involvement with the IFA as a member of Congress that the organization is a critical player in advocating for small business owners, and I am happy to join the talented team at IFA to represent franchise businesses in Washington.”

To further enhance the government relations function at the IFA, Caldeira also announced that Jason A. Straczewski has been promoted to senior director of Government Relations & Public Policy. Since March 2008, Straczewski has served as IFA director of Government Relations & Public Policy. 

“Jason Straczewski has made significant contributions to IFA’s advocacy efforts,” said Caldeira. “As we move forward, Jason will play an increasingly responsible role as we step up our efforts to enhance and sustain awareness of franchising among policy makers at the federal and state levels.”

Melancon Background

Until January, Melancon represented Louisiana’s third congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2005. As one of three co-chairs of the Blue Dog Coalition of fiscally conservative Democrats, Melancon has supported many of the positions of franchise businesses, especially as they struggled to recover from the recession. He voted against the health care reform legislation because of the burdens it placed on business owners and supported Association Health Care Plans as an alternative. He voted against the creation of a cap-and-trade system to limit greenhouse gas emissions and has been a leader in advancing policies that keep energy costs down. He voted for the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009.

He has been recognized by many business organizations for his support of the business community, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Enterprise Award for five consecutive years (2005- 2009), the National Federation of Independent Business Guardian of Small Business Award in 2010 and the National Association of Manufacturers Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence in 2005 and 2009. While in Congress, he served on the Energy & Commerce, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Science and Technology and Budget Committees. 

From 1978 to 1991, Melancon owned Baskin Robbins franchises in Louisiana. His experience also includes owning and managing storage and insurance businesses, serving as President and General Manager of the American Sugar Cane League in Thibodaux, La., from 1993 to 2004 and serving in the Louisiana State Legislature from 1987 to 1993. 

Melancon received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from University of Louisiana Lafayette (formerly University of Southwestern Louisiana). He and his wife Peachy live on Capitol Hill. The couple has two grown children, Seph and Claire, who live with their families in south Louisiana.

Straczewski Background

Before joining IFA in 2008, Straczewski gained several years of experience dealing with a variety of workforce development issues. From 2006 until 2008, he was director of employment and labor policy in the Human Resources Policy Department at the National Association of Manufacturers dealing with employment standards, health care benefits, workforce policy and labor management issues. 

Prior to NAM, Straczewski worked at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Gettysburg College, Pa. in 2001. 

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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 21 million jobs and $2.3 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 photo of Charlie Melancon please contact Matt Haller,

mhaller@franchise.org