With over 150 franchise business owners and over 275 recruiters, our team can tailor recruiting searches to fit your specific needs in the U.S. and Canada.
She successfully ran a hospitality recruiting agency, from her home, for 20 years before she started franchising. Also, during that same time, she owned a Pet Store for 10 years.
Patrice is recognized as an expert in the hospitality job market and has been on television, radio and quoted in publications like Forbes, Nation’s Restaurant News, CNN Money and many others.
Patrice loves animals and has raised parrots and trained dogs for competition. She has rescued and owned monkeys. She currently has 3 dogs, an African Gray and Umbrella Cockatoo parrot and 4 Alpacas.
Patrice is driven to stand apart from others through the development of recruiters and franchisees that share her same belief and which has been the cornerstone of her business, “Recruiting is not about money, it is about helping people”.
Brian supports and enhances Patrice & Associates’ ongoing mission to connect the country’s most respected brands with the industry’s top culinary and managerial talent. His leadership will set the direction for aggressive global growth.
Jason leads the franchise development department in sourcing the right business partners for Patrice & Associates. Additionally he develops brand awareness programs and attends trade shows representing the Patrice model.
Donna Miller comes to us with over 25 years of Sales and Management experience, 10 years of Franchising experience, and 6 years of Staffing Industry experience both at a franchisee and headquarters level. Donna’s primary function will be to assist the company in expanding its Corporate Clients by acquiring new multi-unit concept clients; assist in developing leads for system wide dissemination; and assist in other sales and customer service related activities.
Brian has been with Patrice & Associates for 7 years starting as a recruiter in Patrice’s office. He was promoted to Manager, then joined our franchising company as the Director of Recruiting where he visited and trained Regional Developers. Brian is a multi-award winning franchisee and participates in training classes to help new franchisees get started in their new venture. Brian has received many awards for excellence.
George & Sue are the Regional Developers for DC/VA/NC/MD/NV/CO/UT. They have a successful office of recruiters and are outstanding mentors for the franchisees in their region. They add a different dimension to the training of new franchisees in each Academy.
Jennifer will provide support to Patrice & Brain, be responsible for new franchisee on-boarding, setting up and terminating recruiters, assisting with training materials and development of training class agendas, and overall focus on providing service to franchisees. She brings a wealth of experience in both fast food and casual dining management roles as well as office administration and business management. During her time off she enjoys overseeing her own photography studio, spending time with her family and 5 dogs, and is often found taking in the local music scene on the weekends.
Jase & Melissa Doane, New England
Office: (860) 574-3138
Cell: 860-440-7288
Email: jdoane@patriceandassociates.com
Jase and Melissa met at work 17+ years ago in CT and have been partners in life ever since. Their life journey has led them back to where they started…back in CT and working together again in a Patrice & Associates business partnership.
Jase graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Marketing degree and has spent the majority of his career in Marketing, Sales Management and General Management roles for manufacturing companies in the specialty chemicals industry.
Jase’s senior management experience includes full organizational and P&L responsibility for businesses ranging from $40 million to $140 million with employee counts ranging from 100 to 250.
Jase has a passion for employee development. He believes high performing employees are the key to business success and employees excel when they are the right person in the right role at the right time. Jase has extensive experience in leadership development and mentoring of managers and employees to unlock the potential in workplace human capital and believes a winning attitude trumps winning aptitude 90% of the time.
Marcus Williams, NJ & NY
Office: (908) 356-0220
Email: mwilliams@patriceandassociates.com
Territories: New Jersey, New York
To Contact-Marcus Williams Click Here
Professional Background
Marcus moved to New Jersey with his family after having spent 18 years outside of Washington, DC. He is a trusted executive with almost 20 years of experience in management consulting, professional services, career coaching, and recruiting as a Business Owner, Vice President of Operations, Business Unit Delivery Leader, Account Executive, and Engagement Director.
Marcus blends client relationship management and service delivery experience to provide thought leadership, mentoring, and business results, authenticated through practical operational and P&L management depth. He combines an analytical, results-oriented, customer focused delivery style with a passion for partnering and leading businesses and organizations through transformation to yield substantial improvements in revenue, profit, or return on investments. His experience spans multiple industries across Fortune 500, public sector, and nonprofit clientele.
Marcus knows how important a good leadership team is to the success of a business and he’s excited to help the hospitality industry find the people they need to meet and exceed their goals. He’s also coached and mentored executives and businesses and looks forward to helping more Patrice & Associates franchisees meet their personal and professional objectives.
Matt Smith, S. Fl
Phone: (203) 313-8292
Email: msmith@patriceandassociates.com
Territories: South Florida, Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale
Social Media Links LinkedIn
To Contact-Matt Smith Click Here
Professional Background
Matt is the Regional Developer for South Florida based in Naples, FL, and manages the local franchise office in Naples, FL with multiple recruiters.
Matt has diverse experience in general management, global brand marketing, e-commerce, new business development, operations and organizational leadership in Fortune 500, small business and entrepreneurial environments within consumer products, hospitality and e-commerce arenas. Matt’s hallmark for success has been his ability to integrate technology and marketing to drive revenue and enhance customer loyalty which serves him well in delivering exceptional candidates to Patrice and Associate’s national and local clients.
Matt is also the President and Founder of Watermarke Group, a business consulting and private equity firm in the hospitality, food and beverage and e-commerce sectors. Previously, Matt held senior executive roles at PepsiCo, The Home Shopping Network, Del Monte Fresh, and Smugglers’ Notch Resort.
Matt holds an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business and The London Business School in London, UK; and a BS in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University.
Mercedes & Jay Gray, GA & N Florida
Office: 770-509-5810
Cell: 770-335-1584
Email: mconcepciongray@patriceandassociates.com
Social Media Links LinkedIn
Territories: Georgia, North Florida
To Contact-Mercedes Concepcion Click Here
Professional Background
Coalesce: To help merge, unite, join together, blend in a whole. For over 20 years, my career has been about helping companies be smarter in how they blend the best of strategy, technology, operations and people to help companies achieve growth.
Today, I continue living my passion for business growth and solving strategic problems by partnering with Patrice and Associates as the regional developer for Georgia and North Florida. In this role I am committed to support the growth of an incredible brand which values, I strongly share, are Respect, Service, Excellence and Teamwork.
Coalescence Inc. d/b/a Patrice and associates is focused on leveraging 25 years of experience in supporting our clients grow their talent. Our national presence allows us to ramp up and ramp down as needed in support of the business growth objectives. Excellence to us is going beyond recruiter status and being true strategic partners with our clients. We thrive on exceeding expectations.
By providing regional leadership, mentoring and support to our franchisees we create a winning team by mentoring and supporting our franchisees to reach their individual business goals and creating a strong consistent brand.
My experience managing large operations, building global teams to deliver on large initiatives, organizational change, building strong relationships and building diverse high performance teams position me to help support our clients and our franchisees. I strongly believe that the recruiting process is a critical foundation for long term success. My passion is about crafting the solutions to deliver on complex business problems and creating a win for both client and the candidate.
Connect with me to start a dialog on how we can help you position for business success.
- Your staffing partner for top talent in the hospitality industry
- Helping you launch your own business in recruiting talent for the hospitality industry
George & Sue Wooten, DC, VA, NC, MD, NV, CO, UT
Address: 107 S. Main Street,
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Office: 540-217-6490
Sue
Phone: 540-324-9405
Email: swooten@patriceandassociates.com
George
Phone: 540-217-6491
Email: gwooten@patriceandassociates.com
Territories: Virginia, North Carolina, Washington, DC, Maryland, Nevada, Colorado, and Utah
To Contact-George Click Here
Professional Background
George and Sue met in college and have been married for a long time. They have 2 adult children, Erin and Christian, and 4 grand-kids (Sue calls it the “best promotion ever”). The Wooten family has moved all over the world, literally, relocating for George’s career more than 15 times from south Florida to northern New Hampshire, west to Colorado and California, several places in between and even to the Middle East for a few years. This great partnership in life has led Sue and George to their Patrice & Associates business partnership, which only makes sense, at least to them.
Sue started working in restaurants as a server while in college and was a manager at Pizza Hut when Christian was born. Sue says she feels very fortunate to have been able to stay home with the kids for several years after Christian was born, but did not hesitate to jump back into the restaurant business when the opportunity presented itself. Sue bought an iconic 60-year old diner in a very small town in very northern New Hampshire. She quite literally ran the restaurant (cook, cashier, server and manger) and more than doubled sales in only a few years. The family was then presented with another opportunity by George’s company to once again relocate for a promotion. Sue was prepared; she had recruited and trained someone to take over the restaurant and the right person who would ultimately buy it, which she did. Sue knows the restaurant world from bottom to top, literally, and she has an amazing ability to build incredible relationships in a very short period of time and she loves nothing more than helping others realize their goals and dreams.
George has almost 40 years of experience in the Hospitality/ Restaurant business. He started out working on the grill at Wendy’s when he was 17 to pay his way through school. After 4 years there and 4 years of college, he left school and took a job as an Assistant Manager Trainee with Burger King Corp. with every intention of going back to school… Promotions came quickly and school kept getting pushed off. Over the next 30+ years, George worked his way up from Assistant Manager to General Manager to District Manager, to Training Manager/ Director, Regional Director, VP, SVP and ultimately COO. He feels privileged to have had the opportunity to serve in senior executive leadership roles with several large and even iconic US companies generating annual revenue ranging from $100 Million to $44 Billion. He and Sue also had the opportunity to spend 2 years living and working in the Middle East where he served as Head of Restaurants for the largest retailer in MENA who gave him the amazing opportunity to work with and bring major US and European brands to the region. George never gave up on his education, even though he had achieved much success in his career and was a Senior VP with a $44 Billion company, he went back to school and finally got his Bachelor’s Degree in Management in 2009 and then spent the next 5 years working on his MBA which he was finally awarded in 2014!
Mitch Rushing, SC, TN
Office: (864) 918-9169
Email: mrushing@patriceandassociates.com
Territories: SC, TN
Mitch is a proven executive leader with broad and deep experience as a CEO/President, Professional Services Director, Private Equity Consultant and Technology Innovator. Colleagues, clients and partners that know Mitch best, identify his innovative thinking, ability to quickly master new concepts and systems, creative problem solving and continuous curiosity as a few of the drivers of his success.
As a Positive Leader, Mitch understands that each organization needs to have both a compelling vision and a comprehensive plan for the path forward to achieve that vision – and having the right people is crucial to ongoing success. He has an extensive background in building organizations from the ground up, identifying and recruiting outstanding talent, developing team members and working in partnership with clients to help them achieve their goals.
Dan O’Neil, S. TX, AZ, NM
Office: 602-358-7498
Email: doneil@patriceandassociates.com
Territories: Arizona, New Mexico, South Texas
To Contact-Dan O’Neil Click Here
Professional Background
Originally from Ohio, O’Neil moved to Colorado in 1995 after finishing law school. He formed a partnership and owned three Buffalo Wild Wings in Colorado. After practicing law for almost ten years and getting his MBA, O’Neil worked as General Counsel for a large insurance company based in Colorado. He eventually took over all the business operations for the company.
O’Neil possesses the business and operational expertise to be a great recruiter and run a successful recruiting office. He can rely on his experience to make the right placement resulting in a win-win for everyone!
Kimberly Marzett & Kim Tennyson N.Texas, OK
Office: 972-584-9599
Cell: 972-999-3453
Email: ktennyson@patriceandassociates.com
Territories: Northern Texas, Oklahoma
Professional Background
Regional Developers and Franchise Owners, Kim Tennyson and Kimberly Marzett, bring franchise ownership experience, business development, and extensive management, training, and business experience to their team. The two childhood friends founded Double Kim Unlimited in 2006, when they jointly opened a franchised establishment. Within the franchise, the partners launched the business, developed a strong customer base, and maintained a dedicated staff. The team created a successful hiring model for identifying, hiring, and training staff to ensure the growth of their business. The two owned the successful franchise until 2014 when they sold the franchise and prepared for their next business venture.
Kim and Kimberly chose Patrice and Associates as their next venture because of the model of helping people, ability to join as Regional Developers expanding the brand, and the turn-key model due to the fact that day 1 you can begin recruiting for your business. Kim and Kimberly are excited about the Partnership with Patrice and Associates, and ready to be engaged members of the Patrice and Associates Leadership Team.
Mark Rubick, OH, KY, MI, IN
Contact Us:
2181 Victory Parkway, Suite 102
Cincinnati, OH 45206
Phone: 513-227-6325
Email: mrubick@patriceandassociates.com
Territories: Ohio, Kentucky
Social Media Links LinkedIn
To Contact-Mark Rubick Click Here
Professional Background
Business Development Executive with extensive background in the Food Service and Manufacturing sectors. Multi-dimensional experience encompasses operations management. sales management, marketing and channel management, supply chains and large-scale project oversight. Interdisciplinary skillsets address change management, internal/external relationships, P&L analysis, multilevel negotiations and C-level team leadership. Best described as adaptable, energetic and decisive. Creative in finding marketing solutions and managing resources. Comprehends the critical importance of cultivating industry relationships and competitive strategies in market development.
Matt & Aida Lopez, CA
Contact Us:
Aida Lopez: 415.521.6036
Matt Lopez: 415.867.6610
Territories: Northern California, Southern California through Ventura County
Social Media Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aida-lopez-87a9271
To Contact-Matt & Aida Lopez Click Here
Professional Background
Together, we have over 40 years of combined business experience, both internationally and U.S. based and within start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. As part of the leading hospitality recruiting organization in North America, we know first-hand that the key to success for companies and individuals throughout their career is find that fit across their respective needs, goals, passion and values. We are committed to finding the match in which both our clients and candidates will succeed and thrive.
Aida has lived and worked around the world building friendships and business relationships with people of all backgrounds and experience. She built her career within the hospitality industry in which she established and continues to maintain many long-standing relationships. Her foundation is in sales and marketing with her last major role as the International Sales and Marketing Manager for a rapidly growing manufacturer in the food/drink packaging industry. She played a key role in successfully getting the business from a start-up to a successful multi-national, which culminated in a stint in the UK establishing an international distributor network. Aida takes a proactive, positive approach towards her work, and her attention to detail and reliable follow-through is what allows her to succeed in meeting the needs of her clients.
Matt is a CEO and senior Executive with over 25 years of business experience in transforming brands, companies and industries throughout global markets. He brings a 360° view of a business allowing him to truly understand the needs of customers and businesses with people being at the core of any successful organization. His approach has always been to inspire, motivate and empower people and teams to think outside their self-imposed limits and comfort zone to achieve their individual and collective goals.
Rowney Jensen, NE, KS, MO, IA
Phone: 402-432-7905
Email: rjensen@patriceandassociates.com
Territories: Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri
To Contact- Rowney V. Jensen Click Here
Professional Background
About Rowney
- Over 30 years of professional business experience
- More than 12 years of franchise experience as franchisor & franchisee
- More than 25 years of business-to-business sales and account management
- Hospitality experience – developing business through the backdoor of the store
- More than 18 years of executive leadership experience
- Fully invested in the success of the Region
As a Regional Developer, Rowney helps franchisees launch and successfully operate their own Hospitality Recruiting business in NE/IA/KS/MO.
With experience in technology, entrepreneurship, leadership development and executive management, Rowney Jensen is a valuable member of the Patrice & Associates RD team. Rowney believes one must be a student of the industry to continuously grow and educate one’s self. His leadership style and management techniques have been influenced by a number of leadership authors and business books. Among his favorites include The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, Reality Based Leadership by Cy Wakeman and Let’s Get Real or Let’s Not Play by Mahan Khalsa.
Rowney and his wife reside in Omaha, NE. They have three adult, married children with 3 grandchildren.
Patrice & Associates hospitality recruiting specialists place top management talent with our existing client companies, while helping candidates find rewarding careers and build successful lives.
Why Patrice & Associates – RESULTS !!
Ross & Karen Horton, Eastern Canada
Phone:
Ross 702-260-7644, Karen 604-375-0139
Email:
Ross rhorton@patriceandassociates.com
Karen khorton@patriceandassociates.com
Territories: Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada
To Contact-Karen & Ross Horton Click Here
Professional Background
About Ross
Ross has had a long career as a senior manager in the hospitality and event industries. A veteran of the food & beverage and hospitality industries, he navigated the design, construction and opening of the 250,000 square foot home of the students of the University of British Columbia. The $110 million Nest at UBC houses 10 restaurants, the famous Pit Pub, a full service catering company and a multitude of purpose built spaces for students, including a three story climbing wall.
Also a veteran of the exhibition business, Ross has managed the largest Home and Boat Shows in North America, and has led teams of exhibition managers from Boston to Vancouver to Sydney, Australia for an international media company.
Ross has been identifying, hiring and developing management talent for over 25 years, and has an HBA from the Ivy School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
About Karen
After a figure skating career that was highlighted by a professional world championship, Karen turned her passion to sales, education and events in the pharmaceutical world. After launching her own successful events company and being recognized by MPI as Meeting Planner of the Year in British Columbia, Karen turned her gift for building relationships to raising funds and awareness for her local hospital, as Director of Events and then Director of Development.
Karen believes in people’s ability to achieve, and works tirelessly to find the right partnership for clients and employees alike. She holds a BsC from York University.
Patrice Rice has an entrepreneurial background with a history of building successful businesses. Her entrepreneurial career started when she opened Chesapeake Cruising, the first fleet of powerboats for charter on the Chesapeake Bay. She became the first woman Captain on the Chesapeake and launched the industry of corporate entertaining on luxury yachts in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Patrice then purchased and operated a marina restaurant from where she further developed a catering service specializing in the yachting industry.
Brian, joined in May 2014 as an equity partner, has expertise in all aspects of the Patrice & Associates model – staffing/recruiting & franchising. Brian’s extensive experience in franchise operations, development, strategic planning and marketing makes him a professional tour de force in the franchising industry. Brian has 25 years in franchising and 16 years at a leading full-service staffing and recruiting industry franchisor, Snelling Staffing.
Jason comes to Patrice & Associates with eleven years of franchise sales and marketing experience. He spent the majority of his career with a large franchise coaching and consulting firm. He has a proven track record not only in franchise development and sales but is known for his passion for matching the right people with the right opportunity. Jason exemplifies our Core Values of Respect, Excellence, Service and Teamwork.
Ivy joined Patrice & Associates as a lead getter in 2010, became a top producing recruiter and joined the franchising team as the Corporate Account Manager. Ivy manages corporate accounts and supports corporate clients and franchisee’s with corporate account candidate places. Ivy previously owned her own travel agency.
Helen has been an award winning franchisee with Patrice & Associates for 6 years. She comes from a staffing background with Snelling and was happy to be out of the temp business and working in a more professional culture. Helen is a consultant to Patrice & Associates as a Trainer and Mentor to new franchisees.
Megan has an accounting and hospitality background. She attended culinary school to be a pastry chef (lucky us!). She has worked several positions in restaurants and provided accounting services for a local CPA firm where she helped prepare annual tax returns, and was a customer service rep. She has also done accounting for a local restaurant. She has a well-rounded background and is perfect for P&A. Megan will provide support to Donna & Jason Miller in Franchisee Sales.
Pradnya Kulkarni was a pleasure to work with
Bruce Leininger is TOP NOTCH!
