Accomplished executive to drive technology enhancements, efficiency and innovation for leading early childhood education franchise

King of Prussia, PA (March 12, 2024) – Goddard Systems, LLC (GSL), manager of The Goddard School franchise system, has appointed Dr. Ali Tafreshi as chief information officer, effective immediately. In his new role, Dr. Tafreshi is responsible for building and executing a robust information technology (IT) roadmap, improving processes and applications to deliver value to the franchise system and leading efforts to implement new technologies and data management.

“I’m excited to welcome Dr. Tafreshi to our team, where his seasoned leadership and technical acumen will drive our IT initiatives forward and strengthen our franchise system,” said Dennis R. Maple, chairman and CEO of GSL. “With a steadfast focus on implementing cutting-edge technologies and optimizing data management practices, Dr. Tafreshi’s strategic guidance will enhance the support we provide to our franchisees and, ultimately, elevate the experience for Goddard School families across the country.”

With more than 20 years of leadership experience, Dr. Tafreshi has an exceptional track record and an extensive background in IT operations, security and analytics, vendor management and regulatory compliance in a diverse array of sectors that include aviation, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications and franchising. Dr. Tafreshi joins GSL from Authority Brands, LLC, where he served as chief information officer and helped lead the creation of future-state software solutions to drive efficiency and optimal experiences for all stakeholders. Prior to joining Authority Brands, he served as an IT leader for consulting firms, the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and T-Mobile, among other organizations.

“I’m thrilled to join Goddard Systems and look forward to leveraging technology to help Goddard School franchisees more efficiently and effectively operate their businesses,” said Dr. Tafreshi. “I’m just as excited to collaborate with Goddard’s talented team to deliver a best-in-class digital experience for the families in more than 630 Goddard Schools nationwide.”

Dr. Tafreshi holds bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in engineering from the University of Maryland. He has also completed post-doctoral research and executive training in strategy and innovation at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

For more information about The Goddard School, please visit GoddardSchool.com, and to learn about franchise opportunities, go to GoddardSchoolFranchise.com.

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ABOUT GODDARD SYSTEMS, LLC  

Established in 1988, Goddard Systems, LLC, is the manager of The Goddard School® franchise system. The Goddard School is the acknowledged leader in the premium early childcare and education market segment. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, Goddard Systems has been consistently named one of the leading franchises in the United States by Entrepreneur (#68 in the 2024 Franchise 500) and one of the top franchise systems in worldwide sales by Franchise Times (#70 in the 2023 Top 400). Additionally, Goddard Systems is included in Franchise Business Review’s Top 200 Franchises, a recognition of the best franchise opportunities based solely on ratings and reviews provided directly by franchise owners. Goddard Systems currently licenses more than 630 Goddard School franchises that serve almost 100,000 students in 37 states and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit GoddardSchoolFranchise.com.   

 

ABOUT THE GODDARD SCHOOL® 

Learning for fun. Learning for life.®

Children learn best through experience. For 36 years, The Goddard School has nurtured the extraordinary in every child, employing academically endorsed methods to ensure that children have fun while learning the skills they need for long-term success in school and in life.

The Goddard School provides every child with a warm, caring and safe environment that supports their individual social, emotional and academic development and appreciates their unique talents and personalities. The Goddard School’s proprietary educational program, Wonder of LearningTM, is backed by expert knowledge, data-driven insight and unwavering compassion for growing minds, and encourages children to explore their curiosities and interests. A team of acknowledged experts in various fields of early childhood education guides the children through their learning journeys.

The Goddard School serves almost 100,000 students from six weeks to six years old in 37 states and Washington, D.C. To learn more about The Goddard School, please visit GoddardSchool.com.

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