Experienced Franchise Veteran Will Lead Company’s Portfolio of Premier Home Service Brands
COLUMBIA, MD – August 11, 2022 – Authority Brands, the premier residential services franchising platform, announced today that franchise-industry veteran Craig Donaldson has been named Chief Executive Officer of the company, succeeding Rob Weddle, who is stepping down.
Donaldson, who has served on the Authority Brands’ Board of Directors since 2018, is a highly seasoned franchise executive with in-depth expertise leading multi-location operations with companies including Vasa Fitness, Service Brands International and Harris Research, Inc. Weddle will serve as an advisor to Donaldson to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.
“I am pleased that an executive as experienced and talented as Craig Donaldson will succeed me as Authority Brands’ new chief executive officer,” said Weddle. “Craig understands the residential services industry and, most importantly, our company as he has served as a member of our Board as we’ve scaled Authority Brands into the leading multi-brand, home services franchisor. This experience will enable him to have an immediate impact in his new role. While I’m sad to leave our team at this point in our evolution, it’s important that I prioritize my family at this time.”
Donaldson served as CEO of Vasa Fitness, a high-value, low-price operator of fitness clubs and one of the top-20 largest health club operators in the U.S., from 2016 to 2018, and CEO of Service Brands International, a multi-concept residential services-focused franchise system, from 2012 to 2015. Previously, he was president, CEO and general manager of Harris Research, Inc., one of the largest franchisors in the residential services industry, with more than 4,000 franchises in over 40 countries, from 1997 to 2012, including during a period when the business was a subsidiary of The Home Depot. Earlier in his career, Donaldson held multiple leadership roles with Avery Dennison. He received an MBA and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Brigham Young University.
“Under the management team led by Rob Weddle, Authority Brands has grown into a diversified platform of 12 home services franchises sustained by a powerful infrastructure,” said Donaldson. “I am excited to assume the role of CEO of this premier residential services franchisor. Authority Brands and our franchisees have significant opportunities for continued growth, leveraging our well-established platform that provides them with the support they need to grow their businesses.”
“Craig Donaldson is an exceptional leader with an extensive appreciation of Authority Brands’ platform. He will leverage Authority Brands’ centralized marketing capabilities to drive growth and support the company’s franchisees, and its strategy,” said Ashish Karandikar, Partner at Apax Partners and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. “Authority Brands and its leadership team are well positioned, and we wish Rob the very best.”
About Authority Brands
Authority Brands is the premier residential services franchising platform providing services from the property line to the roof line. Authority Brands' companies include 12 leading home service franchisors: America's Swimming Pool Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, Color World Painting, DoodyCalls, Homewatch CareGivers, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, STOP Restoration and Woofie’s. Together, these brands provide home services through approximately 860 franchise owners across North America. Authority Brands, which is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth with a full suite of marketing, technology, and operational support, allowing them to focus on providing exceptional service to homeowners. Please visit www.theauthoritybrands.com for more information.
Craig Donaldson- Chief Executive Officer of Authority Brands
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