For immediate release





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



aharrison@franchise.org



mhaller@franchise.org
 



twitter.com/franchising411


 


 

WASHINGTON, July 28—The International Franchise Association today announced Jay Perron, a veteran government relations and political professional, has been hired as Vice President, Government Relations & Public Policy, as the association continues to expand its federal and state advocacy efforts on behalf of the $2.1 trillion franchise small business industry.
  

“Jay’s broad range of legislative and political experience will further position the IFA as the leading voice in Washington on behalf of franchise small businesses,” said IFA President & CEO Steve Caldeira. 



The newly-created position will further enhance the association’s advocacy efforts to advance small business and franchising issues,
advocating on behalf of 825,000 franchise establishments across 295 business categories that represent nearly 18 million jobs.IFA recently introduced its “Solutions for the Economy”, the organization’s pro-growth agenda for the 112
^thCongress, which is focused on increasing
credit access to boost job creation for small business, repealing and replacing costly provisions in the health care law passed last year, improving tax certainty, and creating employment and ownership opportunities for returning U.S. military service members and minorities.   

Perron will report to IFA Senior Vice President of Government Relations & Public Policy Judith Thorman, and will serve as the associations’ day-to-day lobbyist on Capitol Hill, while also directing political strategy for FranPAC, the organization’s political action committee that supports pro-business


candidates who promote a legislative and regulatory climate favorable to the small business community. Perron will begin at the IFA on August 23.



 

Perron joins the IFA from IBM Corporation, where he served as a Government Programs Executive with responsibility for

developing key relationships with members of Congress in the U.S. House and Senate, with a focus on issues related to tax and labor policy, free trade and patent reform.
 Prior to that, Perron was Political Director for then-House Majority Whip (and current U.S. Senator) Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and the RoyB Fund Political Action Committee. Perron has also held positions with PRIsm Information Network and Valente & Associates, and has a wide range of experience with Republican campaigns.
 

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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.