DOGTOPIA ENTERPRISES - Key Persons
Alex has been in the franchise industry for 30 years. He began his career in Operations, opening and running restaurants for Papa John's Pizza before becoming a franchisee in 1996. He was a franchisee for a total of 11 years: building opening and operating 34 restaurants in 4 years (nominated "Franchisee of the Year" three times). In 2000, Alex was also the first franchisee for a mobile pet grooming concept and started his own franchise in the health & wellness industry in 2010. Before joining Dogtopia in January2016, Alex had been an investor and consultant to emerging brands while serving on several Boards. Mr. Samios grew up in and around the franchise industry - his father was the first franchisee for Jiffy Lube.
Job Titles:
- Franchise Business Partner
Job Titles:
- Franchise Business Partner
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
- Andy Freeman
Andrew M. (Andy) Freeman has more than 16 years of middle-market private equity investment experience. Andy began his private equity career in 2001 as a Senior Associate with Fremont Partners. Andy subsequently led, managed and harvested numerous successful investments at Paine & Partners (and its predecessor firm) between 2005 and 2016, becoming a partner of the firm in 2014. Andy joined H.I.G. Capital as a Managing Director in 2017. Prior to becoming a middle-market private equity investor, Andy financed and invested in large real estate projects and real estate companies at NationsBanc Capital Markets and Westbrook Partners. Andy received a BS in History and Economics in 1995 from Duke University, where he graduated cum laude, and earned his M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2001.
Job Titles:
- Director of Logistics & Procurement
Job Titles:
- Ecommerce Marketing Manager
Job Titles:
- Director of Digital Marketing
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Creative Strategy
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
Chris Kempner has been involved with Dogtopia for the past few years. Red Barn Dog Holdings LLC acquired the largest Dogtopia franchise territory with plans to open more than 30 daycares across the East Coast. Prior to founding Red Barn Equity partners, Chris was vice president at Private Equity Firm Metalmark Capital. Chris has experience in both investing and private equity and has worked in numerous financial positions, including as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs. He received an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree from Yale University. He was born and raised in New York. He and his fiancé Kelly have one furry family member named Maisie.
Job Titles:
- Operations Planning Manager
Job Titles:
- Director of Franchise Business Partnership
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- Videographer & Multimedia Content Creator
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- Accounts Receivable, Salaries, Benefits & HR
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
David began his career with Price Waterhouse and then joined Pizza Hut within its finance department before joining Great American Cookies as its CFO before becoming its CEO. As previous Chairman of the International Franchise Association (2019-2020) , David has been a frequent speaker on Capitol Hill and has met with congressional leaders and White House staff to discuss the impact of laws impacting small businesses and franchising. David currently sits on the board of directors of a variety of public and private entities, both domestic and international, with focus on consumer-facing companies, including Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, Domino's Pizza, Farm Burger and Lash Lounge. In addition to the various positions he holds, utilizing his own private equity, Barr is a franchisee of KFC, Taco Bell, Capriotti's and Spice & Tea Exchange.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
David is the former President & CEO of PetSmart, the largest US retailer of pet food, supplies, and services. He joined PetSmart in October 2000, as senior vice president of Services, Strategic Planning and Business Development. In June 2013, he was named chief executive officer and in April 2014, he was named president and chief executive officer. David led the strategic review process of PetSmart in 2014, resulting in the sale of PetSmart to BC Partners for $8.7B, representing the highest equity valuation in the history of the company and the largest retail LBO in history.
David stepped down as CEO in March 2015 upon the closing of the transaction. David currently serves on the board of directors of Casey's General Stores, The Michaels Companies, and Natural Balance Pet Food. He also serves on the board of Phoenix Children's Hospital and Phoenix Art Museum.
Dr. Antje Joslin brings more than 15 years of small animal experience in both private and corporate practice. Her love of animals is not just professional; along with her husband and four children, she shares her household with several lovable pooches. In her free time, she enjoys many outdoor activities and traveling with her family. Dr. Joslin earned bachelor's degrees in business administration and German as well as her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University. She can answer any questions you may have related to vaccine protocol, general wellness (like heartworm, flea, and tick prevention), the spay and neuter process, first aid, and diet and exercise for a healthy weight.
Job Titles:
- Franchise Trainer
- Franchise Trainer & Dog Expert
Liz Dimit has been working with dogs since her elementary days, starting in the shelters as a volunteer hosting basic dog obedience class and working her way up to foster care coordinator. Dimit then went on to get a bachelor's degree in public health and after graduating found the perfect home at Dogtopia to marry her love of dogs and human wellness. During her tenure at Dogtopia, she completed the Animal Behavior College's dog training program and achieved certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®). She spends her free time training her own Dalmatian puppy in performance activities such as agility and dock diving.
Job Titles:
- Customer Acquisition & Engagement Director
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
Jay joined Halle Capital Management, a growth equity investment firm, in 2020 as a Senior Partner. Prior to joining Halle, Jay spent 34 years at Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, an investment management firm, where he served as CEO and Co-CIO. Jay is a Trustee of Montefiore Health System and chairs its investment committee and is also a Trustee of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Jay was an Overseer at the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design and is a graduate of the Wharton School and the Law School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Job Titles:
- Director of Multi - Unit Partnership
Job Titles:
- Director of New Store Openings
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
Jodi Watson has served on several boards and in C-level operating roles: Senior VP and interim CMO at Petco, President of Consumer Direct at Wolverine Worldwide, and VP, Direct Marketing Services for Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Jodi currently serves on three other companies' Board of Directors: Petmed Express, Inc. and Dakota Supply Group. She also sits on three companies' Advisory Boards: SmartCanister, QLTY Objective WorkBoots, and 12 Interactive Insights. Jodi holds a Master's degree in Human Centered Design and a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Management.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Operations & Revenue
Job Titles:
- Supply Chain Relationship Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
- Chief Executive Officer of Long Light Capital
Justin Korsant is Chief Executive Officer of Long Light Capital, a New York-based family investment company that invests in both public and private markets across numerous industries. Justin oversees all aspects of the investment function, including asset allocation, portfolio management, and strategic planning. In addition to his Long Light Capital responsibilities, he also oversees the management of the Korsant family office. Before joining Long Light Capital, Justin held positions in the capital markets groups of Barclays Capital and Lehman Brothers. He serves on several corporate and non-profit boards and advisory committees. Justin is a graduate of the University of Miami with a BA degree in Economics.
Job Titles:
- Operations Finance Analyst
Job Titles:
- Franchise Development Coordinator / Marketing
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- Strategic Initiatives Manager
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- Director of Health & Safety
Lorraine Rhoads is an experienced animal biologist and environmental scientist. Her passion for caring for animals includes managing veterinary hospitals, volunteering for wildlife rehabilitators, searching the Southwest for threatened and endangered plants and animals, and performing environmental surveys and studies. Her experience with managing the rigorous standards of the American Animal Hospital Association certification for veterinarians led to developing the most rigorous health and safety procedures in the pet services business for Dogtopia. Lorraine devotes her time outside of Dogtopia to her family, friends, and community, always ready to include her beloved pup, Diamond, in her adventures. Ask her questions related to dog safety, including toys, grooming products, play equipment, travel safety, emergency preparedness, and safe cleaning products and procedures.
Job Titles:
- Supply Chain Consultant / Corporate Development
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the BOARD of DIRECTORS
- Member of the Leadership Team
- President
Neil Gill is CEO and President of Dogtopia Enterprises. Neil has spent more than 35 years in franchising with international brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Brinker International and more than 11 years at Gloria Jean's Coffees as CEO, opening more than 1,000 stores across 39 countries. He has experience in taking franchise brands through IPOs and worked in a variety of sectors from on-line education, weight loss, bakery and Asian tea. Neil has a love of franchising and the entrepreneurial spirit it enables in everyone involved.
Job Titles:
- Senior Construction Project Manager
As Chief Experience Officer, Shelley Parnell manages Dogtopia's external agencies and sets the strategic direction of the Company's marketing, communications, technology, Dogtopia Foundation and overall pet parent experience. Shelley began her career with 10 years in the agency world, servicing a broad range of clients including Starbucks, Quiznos, Safeway, Mercedes-Benz, Sheraton and America West Airlines. She has since owned her own PR & marketing consulting company, served as vice president of marketing at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) and managed marketing and investor relations in the biotechnology space. She lives in Phoenix with her husband Andy, two kids and Millie the Golden Retriever.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Information Technology
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Supply Chain & Procurement
Ms. Gulbranson has been our Finance Director since November 2019. She has 20 years of experience in business management, financial and operational consulting for various companies throughout diverse industries.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Marketing
Job Titles:
- Director of Onboarding & Site Selection