Important Changes Happening in the Field!

Dear Franchisees,

We are writing to share some exciting news!

Changes in Field Leadership

As part of our plans to provide exceptional center support, we would like to announce the Regional Directors of North American Field Support, along with the Franchise Business Consultants (FBCs), Start Up Specialists (SUSs), and Education Field Specialists (EFSs) reporting to them.

^[1]Harpal Kalsi

Will Be Supporting: Midwestern U.S. states and Canada

States: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Wisconsin

FBCs: Andrew Berne and Heather Witt

About Harpal: Harpal started with Mathnasium in November, 2016 as General Manager of Canada, overseeing Operations, Franchise Development, Education and Marketing. Before coming on board, he was Vice President and COO at S.I. Restaurant Group, where he spearheaded a major rebrand in anticipation of the company’s entry into the franchise market. Prior to that, Harpal was a Regional Leader at Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen of Canada—he transformed an underperforming region into the highest revenue generator in the company’s international division! As Director of Regional Operations and Key Accounts at Second Cup Coffee Ltd., he conceived, built, and launched a business planning tool that allowed coffee shop operators to focus on growth and generate historic high sales.

Harpal holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from McMaster University. Born in the UK, he currently resides in a suburb west of Toronto with his wife Satvinder and their two teenage sons. Passionate about photography and cooking, he was able to blend his passion for both as a food blogger on snapguide.com ^[2] (check out recipes by Chef Dad ^[3] to see his creations)! On a Friday night, you can usually find Harpal watching a hockey game at the nearby arena and cooking up a storm for his family after!

^[4]Jeff Larson

Will Be Supporting: Western U.S. states

States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North and South Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming

FBCs: Joy Strobel, Mike Rhee, Rick Sartell, Amy Shukla and Tim Lin

About Jeff: Jeff has been a part of the Mathnasium family since 2015, initially as an FBC, and currently as a Regional Director. Prior to Mathnasium, Jeff comes with over 20 years of experience in franchising and hospitality management. He has always had a strong aptitude for math and science, and comes from a large family of engineers and teachers. Starting a role at Mathnasium brought him back to these roots while allowing him to continue on a career path he loves—helping franchisees succeed. Jeff graduated from the University of Missouri.

^[5]Matt Schankel

Will Be Supporting: Southern U.S. states

States: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas

FBCs: Dan Weber, Dave Heinze, Mike Levinson, Paul Adams and William Helmstadter

About Matt: Based in Austin, TX, Matt Schankel has worked for the Mathnasium Home Office for over five years. First as an FBC supporting Franchise Owners in four states, then in 2018 accepting the position of Regional Director. Prior to Mathnasium, Matt spent four years as an FBC with Fun-Brands and is a graduate of San Diego State University with a degree in Economics and Math. Outside of Mathnasium, Matt and his wife recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary and have two daughters – Mady and Morgan – age 8 and 4. Matt enjoys spending time with his family, but also running and cycling, having completed the MS150 from Houston to Austin to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis in 2016.

^[6]

Ross Wagner

Will Be Supporting: Eastern U.S. states

 States: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.

FBCs: Asad Imam, Bob Bruder, Jeff Branch, Joanne Hendrickson and Kimberly Rau

About Ross: Prior to joining Mathnasium in 2018, Ross was a Branch Manager with Kumon in the Northeastern US. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in Linguistics and Education, he spent 18 years with Domino’s Pizza, including three years in Europe supporting franchisees, and eight years as a two-store franchisee in Michigan. Ross has also worked as a teacher and continues to be a part-time ski instructor in Telluride, Colorado.

^[7]Lisa Eastwood

Will Be Supporting: All new franchise center openings throughout the U.S.

SUSs: Aimee Mack, Lindsay Morgan, Nicole Weinstein, Shamiran Alkhas and Susan Spengler

ESS: Kevin Morrison (read more about the Education Support Specialist role here ^[8])

About Lisa: Lisa has been part of the Mathnasium family since 2005, initially as a successful franchisee operating out of the Kansas City metro area, and then transitioning to Home Office to oversee training and support initiatives in 2010.  Lisa has served in several key roles as the company has grown and evolved – she currently serves as Director of U.S. Field Operations Training where she oversees all start-up and education assurance efforts in the U.S. for the Company.

Prior to opening her Mathnasium center, Lisa earned a master’s degree in education and spent 18 years teaching in the Kansas public school system.  She has experience teaching at all levels—elementary, middle, high school, special education, and at the college level—and has been able to draw on this experience throughout her work with Mathnasium.

Outside of the company, Lisa enjoys spending time cheering on her children in whatever activities they happen to be competing in at the time, and being outdoors – either working in her garden or fishing area farm ponds for the ‘big one’.

^[9]Elizabeth Lyons

Will Be Supporting: Strategic Accounts throughout the U.S.

About Elizabeth: Elizabeth was a franchisee in the Dallas area, opening her first center in 2010, and her second in 2011. Elizabeth has also overseen the SUS team, as well as worked in the Home Office with the Training Department, the Centralized Support Team, and planning for Convention. She currently supports Strategic Accounts across the United States and is responsible for MFAC and Top Owners Retreat. Elizabeth has a husband, David, and two grown sons. Fun fact about Elizabeth, at one time, she played 6 different instruments and taught children’s choir for over 20 years! Her favorite pass time is being with her precious granddaughters, Emma Lee Jean and Lilly Belle.

Changes in FBCs & SUSs

You may have noticed a few names that are new or missing from the list above. Read below for more information about these changes!

David Knight started with Mathnasium as an Instructor in 2012. After years of training in company-owned centers, he was most recently a Start Up & Resale Specialist in the Northeast region of the United States. Now, as of the first of this year, he became a Multi-Center Franchise Owner himself and is excited to make an impact in his new local community in Phoenix, AZ!

Lindsay Morgan has been a part of the Mathnasium community for over 10 years. Starting as an Instructor at a Mathnasium in Southern California, she took on the opportunity to be a Center Director in one of our company-owned centers and soon emerged as the District Manager for seven of the company-owned centers. She brings great knowledge and experience from the years that she has been immersed in the Mathnasium world and is ready to empower new franchisees with all this now as a Start Up Specialist!

Kevin Morrison is joining the Field team in the new role of Education Field Specialist. Previously, Kevin held the role of Project Manager – Mathnasium@Home where he worked closely with a small group of franchisees and Home Office staff to pilot the new program. Prior to that Kevin worked for Mathnasium Company Centers as an Assistant Center Director and Center Director. His initial introduction to Mathnasium was in 2010 when he worked for a Franchisee helping them open their first center and serving as an Instructor.

Amy Shukla began her Mathnasium journey 13 years ago working as an Instructor in Orange County. While working at Mathnasium she established her own software and marketing consulting business and partnered with HQ in assisting over 500 franchisees update their microsites. Passionate about math, she returned to one of our company-owned centers and with her own franchisee experience was quickly promoted to a Start-Up Specialist, helping open franchise locations for the past two years. She has now taken the opportunity to serve franchisees in a new way as a Franchise Business Consultant!

Nicole Weinstein joined the Mathnasium team in 2014 as an Assistant Center Director in one of our company-owned centers. Seeing the incredible impact of the Mathnasium Method on students and families, she was excited to open and run another company-owned center as the Center Director for over two years. She then served our franchisee community as a Support Specialist and Corporate Communications her first year at the Home Office and then as the Manager of the Support Team the following year. Now as a Start Up Specialist, Nicole looks forward to building more relationships with franchisees and sharing her knowledge and passion wherever she goes!

Please continue to reach out to your FBCs and SUSs for any comments or questions.

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