The International Franchise Association has appointed industry veteran Stephen J. Caldeira as president and chief executive.
Caldeira succeeds Matthew Shay, who resigned earlier this year to become president and chief executive of the National Retail Federation in Washington.
Most recently, Caldeira served as executive vice president of global communications and chief public affairs officer for Dunkin' Brands Inc. in Canton, Mass. While there he was responsible for worldwide communications, government affairs, corporate social responsibility, customer relations and the Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation.
"As the franchising industry continues to work through a challenging economic and political climate, the search committee recognized that the IFA was going to need a passionate leader that had the strategic and tactical abilities to bridge the critical areas of public policy, communications and member services," said IFA chairman Ken Walker, chief executive and chairman of Driven Brands.
"Clearly, Steve is that leader and we are thrilled that he will guide the IFA for many years to come," Walker said. "His unique blend of political, corporate, franchising, trade association and fundraising experience will further strengthen the IFA's mission to protect, enhance and promote franchising."
Before joining Dunkin' Brands, Caldeira was co-founder, president and chief executive of The Elliot Leadership Institute; vice president of industry relations for PepsiCo Inc.; and a managing director in the U.S. public affairs practice at Burson-Marsteller.
He also served as president and chief operating officer of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and senior vice president of communications and marketing at the NRA. He also worked for Ronald S. Lauder, a former U.S. ambassador to Austria, in his bid for mayor of New York; the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and former U.S. Sen. Alfonse D'Amato.
In 2007, Nation's Restaurant News named Caldeira as one of the Top 50 Influencers in the foodservice industry.
"As the IFA looks to the future, it will be critical to build on the momentum the association has gained on Capitol Hill the past several years," Caldeira said. "As part of the IFA's unwavering and steadfast commitment to protect and enhance brand and member value, we will continue to be proactive in reminding policymakers and the media that the franchising industry is, and will continue to be, an economic force and proven job creator in the global economy."
Contact Paul Frumkin at [email protected].
