Burger chain Checkers Drive-In named Valerie McCartney and Diane Phibbs to the respective positions of director of franchise development-Western U.S. and director of franchise sales and support. McCartney, who previously worked for companies such as Taco Bell and El Pollo Loco, has nearly 20 years of franchise development and marketing experience. Likewise, Phibbs has 25 years of experience and was previously the director of franchise sales for Beef O'Brady's.
Mercantile Commercial Capital, a company that handles loans for small businesses, named Linda Smith a new marketing associate. Smith, a senior at the University of Central Florida, will graduate with a degree in Interdisciplinary studies and a minor in English.
Beef O'Brady's, a manufacturer and marketer of pre-formed, one-piece shower pans, named Matthew Murphy to the position of regional sales manager. In his new role, Murphy will be charged with developing new business-relationships for the company and maintaining its current distribution channels in coastal markets.
After serving as a branch administrator for home health care company Personal Touch Homecare, Patricia M. Heagy rejoined direct business lender firm Butler Capital Corporation as the business development manager in its franchise finance division. She originally worked for Butler from 1988 until 1995.
Franchise moving company Two Men and a Truck named Kelly Mitchell and Norine Bardo to the respective positions of service center manager and service center specialist. Mitchell comes to Two Men and a Truck after serving as a project and program manager at XO Communications. Likewise, Bardo comes to the company after working as a contractor for Interactive Business Systems, Inc.
Restaurant chain Saladworks named Tom Spadea and Kris Smith to the respective positions of vice president of development and vice president of brand services. In his new role, Spadea will be charged with managing aspects of the company's development, such as franchise sales, real estate and site management, as well as the company's exclusive real estate broker, Site Development Incorporated. Likewise, Smith – who was a regional manager for the franchise from 2004 to 2008 – will oversee the design and construction of Saladworks' new store prototype, scheduled for revelation this month.
Former president of Starbucks, Launi Skinner, was named the new president and COO of moving company 1-800-GOT-JUNK. In her new role, Skinner will head the company's expansion efforts and be charged with increasing franchise productivity. Skinner was involved with Starbucks for 14 years and held positions such as vice president of Starbucks Coffee Canada and senior vice president of U.S. store development.
Hilton Hotels Corporation promoted Larry Luteran to the position of senior vice president of global sales and industry relations. In his new role, Luteran will now serve as the chain's main contact for all customer industry organizations, and oversee the company's special events department and sales contracting. Luteran previously held the role of regional vice president of sales and marketing for Hilton's Southeast and South Central regions.
Wyndham Hotel Group announced the leadership for its recently acquired Microtel Inns and Hawthorn Suites brands. The new executive team will consist of: Roy Flora, who was named as president of the brands; Mike and Tim Muir, who were named as senior vice presidents of franchise sales and development for the brands' Western and Eastern regions, respectively; Benny Stevens, who was named as vice president of design and construction; and Rosanne Zusman, who was named senior vice president of brand operations.
