The Franchise Foundry Team have a unique skill set and unmatched experience. This unique blend of backgrounds and franchising history creates a complimentary team who are able to analyze and execute
Christian Faulconer, CEO
As Franchise Foundry’s CEO, Christian is responsible for corporate strategy and business development. Prior to his work at Franchise Foundry, Christian co-founded Public Engines, provider of the CrimeReports.com service and served as its COO. He also founded an analytics portal provider, Sharp Analytics (now a division of iCrossing). Christian has worked as a management consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers and also for Fortune 500 companies and Internet startups. In 2010 Christian was ranked one of the "top 40 under 40" by Utah Business magazine. In both 2007 and 2008, he was selected as a member of the v|100, vSpring Capital’s Top Venture Entrepreneurs in Utah. Christian earned a master’s degree in accounting and information systems from the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University. Christian is a well-respected and highly successful professional who has a diverse and proven background in taking small businesses from start to large, profitable exits.
Ryan Frandsen, COO
Ryan has nearly a decade of project management experience in both the private and public sectors. He most recently worked as the Campaign Manager for a local congressional race and before then worked on Capitol Hill in Washington DC as a Legislative Assistant. While working in the Congressional office Ryan was responsible for policy projects ranging from small business to foreign affairs, education, and defense. Ryan earned his Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Policy & Planning from the University of New Mexico. Before business school Ryan worked in client services as a project director in the market research industry. Upon completing his MBA Ryan worked for NuSkin Enterprises as a Market Research Analyst.
Corey Spencer, CMO
Corey is responsible for marketing strategy for all of the Franchise Foundry’s clients. He ensures that everything from the web properties to the operations manual to the training videos are high quality products that meet the needs of our partners and their franchisees. Corey received his Masters in Instructional Psychology and Technology from Brigham Young University and worked at Omniture as the manager of curriculum where he created ground breaking instructional content. During his career, Corey has consulted with many of the world’s top brands, including NBC/Universal, Fox, Starz, Comcast, MTV, Shockwave, Adobe, Microsoft and eBay.
Steve Guymon, CFO
Steve began his career as a Certified Public Accountant while working for Ernst and Young, LLP in Denver, Colorado. While in Denver Steve worked with clients in Health Care, Energy, Technology, Entertainment, and other industries. He later worked for vSpring Capital, a venture capital firm, where he helped research and source investment opportunities and served as the interim CFO for Cogito, Inc. Steve then founded a financial consulting firm and worked as the CFO for multiple companies including CrimeReports.com, 7 Degrees, aQuire Advisors, Studiohelper.com, and Trivium Lasers, Inc. As CFO Steve has helped his clients raise millions of dollars in venture and debt financing. Steve received a B.S. in Accounting from BYU and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.
Ron Saffell, VP of Development and Sales
Ron is responsible for the development and sales of franchises for the Franchise Foundry portfolio of clients. During his career Ron has worked in government and private sectors and has successfully sold millions of dollars of technology and services to federal, state, county and city government agencies as well as Fortune 500 companies. A few notable clients are Oracle, Sharp Analytics, Department of Defense, Business Objects, Honolulu Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, Clark County School District, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Albuquerque Public Schools, National Institutes of Health, USAA, Safeco and Royal Canadian Insurance. Ron earned his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah and was as a pitcher on the 1983 and 1984 NCAA baseball teams.
Bradley Smith, General Counsel
As General Counsel, Brad manages Franchise Foundry’s day-to-day legal needs. Brad helps businesses comply with franchising and business opportunity laws, implement various franchising business models, and manage franchisee relationship issues. He also counsels businesses in various trademark, copyright, trade secret, and general business matters. Brad earned a Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law and a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine’s Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution. His bachelor’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy is from Brigham Young University. Brad is a member of the Utah State Bar, the Oregon State Bar, and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society.