For immediate release
Contact:
Alisa Harrison, 202-628-8000
Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770
aharrison@franchise.org
mhaller@franchise.org
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2011-Melanie Bergeron, CFE, chairwoman of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, has been elected Secretary of the International Franchise Association, a position that places her in the top leadership chairs of the association.
“Melanie Bergeron brings a wealth of franchising and leadership experience to her new position,” said IFA Chairman Jack Earle, a multi-unit McDonald’s franchisee. “Her involvement in the IFA on several levels for many years has demonstrated her commitment to ensuring that the franchise industry continues on a path of economic growth and job creation in our country.”
The International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA members include franchise companies in over 100 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.
Bergeron, who will assume her position Feb. 14, 2012 at the conclusion of the IFA’s 52
ndAnnual Convention in Orlando, has been active in the association for many years in a variety of roles, including serving on the Board of Directors and as vice chair of the Franchisor Forum. In her new position, upon approval of the IFA Board of Directors, she will have the opportunity to move through the leadership chairs and become IFA Chairwoman in 2015.
“I am very honored to have been elected Secretary of the IFA and I am excited to contribute to the association in a leadership position,” said Bergeron. “IFA is a powerful advocate for the franchising and small business communities and I truly look forward to helping to continue to increase the effectiveness and reach of this well-regarded association.”
Bergeron has held several positions at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, which was founded in 1985 by her mother Mary Ellen Sheets and now is the nation’s largest franchised local moving company. As the company’s first franchisee in Atlanta, Bergeron has used her hand-on experience to help grow the company from that first franchise in 1989 to over 200 locations operating worldwide today. In 2010, the system completed 317,841 moves. Currently, there are 1,400 trucks on the road. The system reached its 2 millionth move in 2005.
In 1994, Bergeron was named president of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
®. In 2002, she became chief operating officer and in January 2007, she took over as CEO. She became chair of the board in 2009. Together with Sheets and her brothers (the “original two men”) Brig and Jon Sorber, the family has incorporated a vision, a positive team atmosphere, ongoing support, compassion and commitment in the working environment at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®.
In addition to her work on the IFA Board of Directors, Bergeron has served as chair of the IFA’s Institute for Certified Executives (ICFE) Board of Governors, on the Woman’s Franchise Committee and currently serves as a mentor in the IFA FranShip program. She received the IFA Bonnie Levine award in 2009 and the Woman’s Franchise Committee Crystal Compass award in 2004.
In addition to her involvement in IFA, Bergeron is on the board of The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Central Michigan University Dean’s Business Advisory Council. Bergeron also is the president of Hidden Treasures, a non-profit thrift store.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business administration from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. She earned her Certified Franchise Executive certification, a recognized standard of excellence in the franchise industry, in 2002. She and her husband Noel reside in Mason, Mich. with their twin sons Alex and Jason.
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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, media 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 100 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.