Desert Sun Employee Recognized As Certified Franchise Executive

Mark Willard, director of franchise operations for Desert Sun Tanning, was recently recognized as a certified franchise executive by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. Willard completed a comprehensive course of study in franchise management through the institute, which is the academic branch of the International Franchise Association’s Educational Foundation.

The association is the world’s largest trade group representing the franchising industry, and it includes nearly 1,300 franchise companies, 10,000 franchisees and more than 500 firms that provide goods and services to the industry.

Willard is the director for the 85-store franchise chain based in Maple Valley, Wash. Prior to working at Desert Sun, he was the franchise business consultant for Palm Beach Tan Franchising, Inc.