With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.
Good leadership is essential for any business, but especially for a small (but mighty) business like ours that touches the lives of so many franchisees and customers across the country. The best leaders recognize their impact and are not only smart; they are role models, motivators, teachers and supporters who have a direct impact on employee morale and retention. We are led by a group of esteemed leaders at Buzz Franchise Brands who bring strong backgrounds in business, marketing, entrepreneurship and franchising. They drive the company to meet our organizational goals, but they don’t spend their days hidden in fancy board rooms. You can find them with open office doors, scrounging for snacks in the kitchen, or competing in intense pool games during happy hour.
Kevin Wilson
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CFE
Kevin Wilson is the CEO of Buzz Franchise Brands and has held the position since July 2012. Prior to this, Kevin was a Senior Managing Director with Envest Ventures where he oversaw $160M across three funds that made 28 investments, four of which were franchisors. Before joining Envest, Kevin was a Senior Managing Director of Discovery Americas, a private equity fund based in Mexico City, Mexico. Utilizing his experience in the airline industry, he developed a business plan and co-founded Volaris, (NYSE: VLRS) an ultra low cost airline. His career includes being CEO of South African Airways Technical, the independently owned maintenance operation of South African Airways, based in Johannesburg, South Africa; the CEO and Founder of Benny’s Bagels, a franchisor of retail bagel stores based in Dallas, Texas. Kevin began his business career working for Bain and Company as a consultant in Toronto, Canada and Dallas, Texas.
Kevin obtained his business degree from the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Kevin and his wife Katy live in Virginia Beach, Virginia with their three children.
Brian Garrison
CHIEF Operating OFFICER & PRESIDENT
Brian Garrison has served as Chief Operating Officer for Buzz Franchise Brands since May 2015, and also serves as the Buzz Franchise Brands President. Prior to joining Buzz Franchise Brands, Brian worked as a consultant with McKinsey & Company, where he focused on operations and strategy in a variety of industries, including aerospace and defense, energy, financial service and government. Brian served in the Navy for 22 years in a variety of leadership roles, including command of an F18 squadron, before retiring in 2012.
A native of Medfield, Massachusetts, Brian graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. in aerospace engineering and was commissioned as an Ensign in 1990. In addition to his undergraduate degree, he has M.S. degrees in aerospace engineering and national security studies, and an MBA from the Wharton School. Brian and his wife Melissa live in Virginia Beach, Virginia with their two children.
ANGELA PAULES
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, CFE
Angela Paules joined Buzz Franchise Brands in July 2012 and currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer for the company. Prior to her entry into the franchise industry, Angela worked as Marketing Manager for The University of Texas at Austin’s top-ranked McCombs School of Business. Before joining the McCombs School she worked in media planning for Austin-based advertising agency GSD&M, managing high-profile clients such as BMW and Walmart. Angela also co-founded and ran a successful coffee shop business in Austin, Texas. Angela is a member of the American Marketing Association and the Texas Exes alumni organization.
Angela earned her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin and received her Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation in 2016. Angela spends her free time with her husband Greg, their children RJ and Zoe, and their boisterous German Shepherd Tobias (aka Tobi).
MICHAEL HULL
CHief FINANCial Officer, CFE
Michael serves as the Chief Finance Officer for Buzz Franchise Brands and its subsidiaries and has been with the company since July 2012. Michael was involved with Mosquito Joe since the first local operation launched in Norfolk, Virginia in 2010. He briefly departed from Mosquito Joe in 2011 and worked for Monarch Bank as a commercial real estate portfolio manager until July 2012 when he re-joined Mosquito Joe to participate in the franchising plan.
Michael is Chair of the Hermitage Museum Young Associates Board and is also a member of the Towne Bank Leadership Alliance. Michael has a Finance degree from the Mason School of Business at the College of William and Mary. Michael and his wife Julie live in Norfolk, Virginia with their five children.
In addition to our above leadership, we are supported by another distinguished group: our board of managers, who regularly meet with company leadership and provide guidance and input on our company operations.