FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:

Matthew Haller, 202-460-8356

Jenna Weisbord, 310-995-0839

mhaller@franchise.org

jweisbord@franchise.org

@franchising411


IFA, CRESANTI AGREE TO THREE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION


WASHINGTON, Sept. 13—The International Franchise Association Board of Directors announced President & CEO Robert Cresanti has signed a new three year contract extension to continue leading the world’s largest advocacy organization that represents franchising.


“Robert has proven to be a dynamic leader capable of representing America’s 730,000 franchise businesses which support nearly 9 million jobs and we are thrilled he will continue to lead IFA,” said Aziz Hashim, IFA Chairman and CEO of NRD Holdings. “As we prepare for the outcome of this critical election, which will bring a new administration to Washington and a new Congress, franchise businesses should feel confident in Robert’s ability to tell our positive story for years to come, while simultaneously advocating for policies that enable franchising to continue to make significant contributions to the U.S. economy by creating opportunities for all Americans”


Cresanti joined IFA in 2014 as Executive Vice President of Government Relations & Public Policy from SAP America, Inc., where he served as vice president of Corporate Affairs & Government Relations since 2009. He was named IFA President & CEO in 2015. Prior to joining IFA, in his public service, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2006 as Under Secretary for Technology for the Department of Commerce, the highest ranking U.S. official charged specifically with representing and advocating for the United States high tech industry globally. He chaired multiple bilateral technology trade missions for the U.S. government in the European Union, Asia and Russia and served as co-chair for the White House PCAST, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. In his nearly decade-long service on Capitol Hill, ranging from Committee Chief of Staff in the Senate, to Legislative Counsel in the House, he handled legislation before the Banking, Judiciary, Commerce, Government Affairs and Finance Committees.


As a trade association executive, he served as vice president of Global Public Policy for the Business Software Alliance from 2001 to 2006, representing the technology industry in international negotiations and complex regulatory, legislative and commercial legal matters on a global level. He also served as senior vice president and general counsel of ITAA (now TechAmerica). Immediately prior to joining SAP, he served as the CEO of the IPXI, the Intellectual Property Exchange.


“I am humbled and honored by the Board’s trust in me and look forward to continuing the great work the IFA team has done to tell the positive franchise story, protect the industry from public policy challenges and allow franchises to increase their already significant contributions to the economy,” Cresanti said. 


Cresanti received a law degree from Baylor University School of Law, a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from Austin College. He also received a certificate of EC Law from the University of Glasgow Law School and completed master’s courses in International Relations from Johns Hopkins SAIS. Cresanti resides in Northern Virginia with his wife Colleen and their three children.


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About the International Franchise Association

Celebrating 56 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development.


1900 K St., N.W., Suite 700   Washington, DC 20006  USA


Phone: +1 202/628-8000    Fax: +1 202/628-0812     www.franchise.org

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