Meet the Team
Eight years ago, Donna joined Starpoint Brands as an Executive Assistant, and through hard work and determination, she rose through the ranks to various leadership positions, including Launch Services Manager, Director of Shared Services, and her current role as Vice President of Operations. Donna’s primary responsibility is to ensure a smooth and efficient opening process for all franchise owners under the Starpoint Brands division. With her lead-by-example mindset, Donna has earned a reputation as a dedicated and supportive member of the Starpoint Brands team, always ready to lend a hand to those in need.
With an education in Spanish language studies and political science, Michael pursued leadership opportunities on a global scale by representing additional concepts within the United Franchise Group affiliated family of brands. As Director of Sales managing UFG’s global sales team, he identified and implemented strategies around the world that propelled international expansion and led to his appointment as Chief Development Officer in 2021.
Today, Michael oversees worldwide development for each of Starpoint Brands’ 9 franchise concepts, including management of all salespeople throughout the US, Europe, and Australia.
Jason Anderson | Chief Strategy Officer & President of Vast Coworking Group
Jason Anderson joined the company over 10 years ago as Regional Vice President for Transworld Business Advisors. Over the past decade, Jason has served in a variety of roles, from Director of Franchise Development to President of Accurate Franchising, Inc. to Chief Technology Officer. As our Chief Strategy Officer, Jason works directly with the CEO as well as UFG’s board and executive team to develop inclusive strategic plans; analyze market dynamics, market share changes, product line performance, and competitive intelligence; identify key capital projects, joint ventures, potential merger and acquisition targets, and other strategic partnership opportunities. Jason also serves as the President of Vast Coworking Group, contributing to the growth of our coworking brands and using his strengths with a strategy to push franchise owner success.
Chad Palmer, a respected authority in the field of digital marketing, brings over two decades of expertise to the table as the Chief Marketing Officer of United Franchise Group. In this pivotal role, he assists in the success of 11 distinct brands, orchestrating strategies that resonate across a global network of over 1600 franchisees in 60+ countries. A visionary leader, Chad is also a sought-after keynote speaker and frequent panelist, offering profound insights into the future of AI and the evolving landscape of marketing within the franchise industry.
As the Chief Technology Officer, Max Taha directs the company’s online presence and technology platforms, from websites and networking to franchisee store management and support tools. Max started his career in a Signarama store in Fargo, ND, before transitioning in 2011 to the Corporate office in West Palm Beach, FL.
In her current role, she has achieved significant milestones, including being inducted into our company’s Hall of Fame. Debbi’s leadership philosophy is about empowering her team to achieve greatness, and she leads by example, providing a positive work environment to help her team be their best, especially when working with franchise owners.
She is a member of the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics as well as the American Bar Association. She is also a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and is currently pursuing a CCEP (Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional) from the SCCE.
Todd is passionate about mentoring and training new employees, ensuring they have the skills to effectively serve the company’s brands and franchise owners. He’s always on top of the latest trends and technologies, keeping us ahead of the curve. With his creative approach to problem-solving and expert knowledge, Todd is an invaluable asset to Starpoint Brands. He’s a key player in driving the company’s success and growth.
Amy Palmer | Social Media Coordinator
Amy Palmer is a highly skilled social media expert with over 15 years of experience in marketing. She’s received various marketing certificates including social media marketing, content and inbound marketing and had numerous years of experience within franchising before joining us. With a passion for showcasing the incredible work of businesses and franchise owners that have positively impacted their communities, she uses her expertise in crafting compelling messages to connect with her audience and bring brands to life. As the Social Media Coordinator for Starpoint Brands, Amy’s primary focus is on increasing engagement, building brand awareness, and creating a strong online community.
Bill Luce has more than 20 years of experience in global sales and executive management. Bill joined us in 1994 as the Director of Franchise Development. During his time in this role, he designed and developed a franchise sales system that included all aspects of advertising, lead generation, software implementation, collateral material, initial prospect contact, and management with Regional Vice Presidents. He continues to strengthen the company’s foundation and ensure the success of Transworld Business Advisors worldwide. In an industry where businesses are put up for sale every day and franchising is experiencing explosive growth, the Transworld Business Advisors model is poised for international success.
Having successfully led teams in QSR, fast-casual, and full-service restaurant brands to achieve remarkable results in operational performance, brand experience, franchising, and sales growth, each brand has achieved exceptional growth results and recognition from the national press, including Nation’s Restaurant News “Hot Concepts” and Fast Casual “Top Concepts to Watch” awards. Bob credits the driving force behind The Great Greek’s team success to the result of their focus and commitment to delivering on three simple principles: Engage Great People, Nurture a Great Brand Culture, and Select Great Restaurant Sites.
Austin Titus | President of Cannoli Kitchen Pizza
Austin’s journey began at Florida Atlantic University, where he gained hands-on experience with Signarama® and Fully Promoted® franchise owners while studying business. Since then, he has made remarkable strides within Starpoint Brands, serving as President of the Emerging Brands division and Network Lead Exchange™ (NLX) before being appointed President of Cannoli Kitchen Pizza. With his strategic vision and dedication, Austin is driving the brand’s success within the Starpoint Brands division of United Franchise Group and ensuring a prosperous future for Cannoli Kitchen Pizza.