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Jay Caiafa is Chief Executive Officer of Authority Brands, one of North America's leading home services franchisors, with 15 brands operating across more than 2,700 territories and a network of more than 1,000 franchise owners. As CEO, Jay leads the company's long-term strategy with a focus on improving performance for franchise owners, advancing franchise development, and building the capabilities needed to serve Authority Brands' expanding portfolio. Since joining the company, he has prioritized building the operational foundation needed to scale the business, including establishing the Franchisee Success Center in the Atlanta area, designed to strengthen sustained growth and support for franchise owners across its brands.
Jay brings to Authority Brands more than two decades of leadership experience in franchise-based, multi-brand businesses, most recently as Chief Operating Officer for the Americas at IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading hotel companies. In that role, he led strategy and operations across approximately 4,500 hotels in 26 countries, representing the majority of IHG's global revenue and profit. During his 12-year tenure, he held multiple senior leadership roles and helped drive major performance and brand initiatives, including hotel lifecycle operations, franchise owner engagement, brand integrations, and new brand launches. Among those was Avid Hotels, which achieved an industry record-setting number of franchise owner signings in its first year, along with Atwell Suites and Garner.
Earlier in his career, Jay served as a pilot and officer in the United States Air Force, reaching the rank of Captain after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. He later earned both a J.D. and an MBA from Duke University, where he studied at the School of Law and the Fuqua School of Business. He also practiced as a commercial real estate attorney at Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP and served as a Case Team Leader at Bain & Company.
Jay serves on the Foundation Board of Trustees for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and has contributed to industry efforts to combat human trafficking, including service on the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Foundation's inaugural No Room for Trafficking Advisory Council.
Josh Greear brings an impressive track record of financial and business leadership across nationally recognized franchise and consumer-focused organizations.
Before joining Authority Brands as CFO in September 2025, Josh served as CFO of Primrose Schools, where he led cross-functional teams across finance, analytics, accounting, and business services. Prior to that, he held the role of Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Cracker Barrel and held several financial leadership positions at The Home Depot.
Josh holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond and a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University. He currently resides in Atlanta with his wife and their four children.
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Ryan Bowes brings nearly two decades of proven leadership experience across franchising, real estate, and hospitality, with roles at globally recognized brands such as IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Most recently, he served as Chief Investment Officer at FirstKey Homes, where he helped transform and scale the company's position into a single-family rental industry leader. Ryan holds both master's and bachelor's degrees in real estate development and finance from Clemson University.
In his role, Ryan leads key growth functions across Authority Brands, including franchise development, call center operations, and BuyMax, the company's procurement platform. He is also focused on strengthening performance across existing business models and supporting the integration of mergers and acquisitions to enable continued, disciplined expansion.
Steve Clemente is President and COO of Trades Brands. Steve brings over 30 years of proven leadership, transforming multi-unit service and retail businesses into high-performing organizations. With a track record of accelerating growth, maximizing profitability, and elevating operational standards, Steve is recognized for driving results through strategic leadership and innovation.
Before joining Authority Brands, Steve served as President of Primrose Schools, a national premier early childhood education and care franchise, where he led all internal operations and key strategic growth initiatives. Throughout his career, Steve has played a pivotal role in driving success at leading organizations, from publicly-traded giants like Dick's Sporting Goods and Target to privately held businesses such as Nebraska Book Company.
As President and COO of Trades Brands, Steve will spearhead initiatives to enhance operational excellence, drive organic growth, and unlock cross-selling opportunities across Authority Brands' trade brands.
Laura Sheehy has more than 25 years of strategic HR leadership experience. Recognized for her ability to build high-performing teams and drive organizational transformation, Laura has overseen global HR operations in various industries and is recognized for her strong partnerships with executive leaders to align people strategies with business objectives and growth.
Laura was CHRO at Odyssey Logistics Corporation, where she led a global HR team and contributed to the organization’s Most Loved Workplaces® certification. Laura’s expertise encompasses talent acquisition, compensation strategy, and organizational development, consistently delivering cost efficiencies and enhancing the employee experience.
Laura’s career spans founder-led companies and private equity portfolio organizations, including leadership roles at Subway Franchise World Headquarters and SAI Systems International, Inc.
A recognized leader in HR and talent management, Laura has been honored as a Woman in Supply Chain (2023, 2024) and regularly shares her insights through industry publications. Laura earned her B.S. magna cum laude, from the University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT and serves on the board of Junior Achievement Greater Fairfield County and is actively engaged in professional communities.
Michael Torres is Chief Communications Officer for Authority Brands, where he leads communications strategy across corporate, marketing, franchise owner, customer, and team member audiences. He brings deep experience in corporate affairs, strategic media relations, stakeholder engagement, brand storytelling, social media, and AI search and discoverability, with a focus on connecting communications to business performance.
Michael has held senior communications and corporate affairs roles across global organizations, including Hevolution Foundation, IHG Hotels & Resorts, FirstKey Homes, PepsiCo, AB InBev, Tropicana, and Fleishman-Hillard. His work spans brand building, reputation management, public affairs, owner and franchise communications, executive visibility, and large-scale stakeholder engagement.
Most recently, Michael served as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Saudi Arabia’s Hevolution Foundation, where he helped build global recognition for the organization through public relations, social media, and the development of major longevity summits. He also brings extensive franchise and hospitality experience from IHG Hotels & Resorts, where he oversaw corporate affairs for the Americas and supported brand PR, owner communications, government affairs, new brand launches, and major leadership events.
Throughout his career, Michael has helped organizations strengthen credibility, expand brand visibility, and engage key audiences through clear, strategic communications. He is a graduate of UCLA and lives in Atlanta with his wife and three children.
Jordan joined the Authority Brands team in January 2023 and brought with him more than 15 years of expertise in business development sales in franchise and national brands. Most recently as Senior Vice President, Franchise Sales at Scorpion he helped grow the franchise vertical from the ground up to now one of the leading franchise suppliers in the space.
As the lead of Authority Brands’ entire franchise development function, Jordan’s priority is to serve our team and develop a results-based culture. His passion is for developing people and implementing processes that enable us to hit our goals.
Jordan received his B.S. in Marketing from the University of Mobile and received his Certified Franchise Executive accreditation in 2019 from the International Franchise Association and served on the IFA Convention Committee from 2017-2019.
Tom Swift has been an Executive Vice President for Authority Brands since June 2023. Prior to this position, he served as the Brand President of Mosquito Squad Plus from November 2019 to June 2023. From January 2009 to November 2019, Mr. Swift was the President and Chief Operating Officer of ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Company (“ASP”). Mr. Swift holds his Juris Doctorate degree, Masters of Tax Law and Certified Financial Planner’s License.
Stewart C. Vernon is a lifelong entrepreneur and is the Founder of America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP), the nation’s largest swimming pool cleaning, repair, and renovation franchise system. Post-acquisition of his company by Authority Brands in 2019, Vernon moved into the role of Executive Vice President at Authority Brands. Over his career, Vernon was a founding partner of various other business ventures: Founding startups such as Classic Overland (a car import company), KUDU Outdoor Grills, Central Piedmont Investment Group and Valid Music.... As well as actively investing in many entrepreneurial ventures along the way: VS Investment properties, 428 Second Street, Timber Lane Farm, South River Mist, 4 Eyes Holdings, Splash Investments, and others. In addition, Mr. Vernon is a professional speaker with experience in serving as a keynote speaker for occasions, as well as a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs.