Neighborly® is proud to announce that our Chief Development Officer, Brad Stevenson, has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the International Franchise Association (IFA), the leading organization representing franchise businesses worldwide. Brad will officially assume his role at the 2026 IFA Annual Convention in February, serving a three-year term.

"We’re incredibly proud to see Brad Stevenson elected to the IFA Board of Directors. His leadership, expertise, and experience will be invaluable in supporting franchising worldwide," said Mike Davis, CEO at Neighborly. "Neighborly remains committed to supporting the IFA and advancing initiatives that support the franchise industry."

“Brad is an accomplished leader who represents the best of franchising—understanding the power of franchising to grow brands and support local ownership in the U.S. and around the world,” said Matt Haller, IFA President and CEO. “I’m grateful for his volunteer service in support of the IFA mission to strengthen the franchise business model and ensure the success of our members across all sectors.”

“Serving on the IFA Board of Directors is one of the highest honors a member of the franchise community can have to advance the franchise business model and the opportunities it creates,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, Chair of the IFA Board of Directors and CEO of BNI. “I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Brad at Neighborly, and he brings a wealth of experience from across franchising’s diverse ecosystem. His insight and leadership will help IFA continue to advocate for franchising and expand opportunity in the U.S. and around the world.”

Brad Stevenson is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience spanning sales, marketing, and management. Since joining Neighborly in 2019, he has served as Chief Development Officer, guiding the strategy and execution of key initiatives that drive franchise growth across North America.

“The IFA plays a vital role in driving economic growth, strengthening local communities and empowering entrepreneurs to reach their business goals,” said Stevenson. “I am humbled to join the board and advocate for the franchise community alongside such dedicated, like-minded professionals.”

The 2026 IFA Board of Directors represents a diverse range of industries and business models, reflecting the breadth and strength of the franchise business model and the IFA’s membership. According to IFA data, in 2024 there were 831,000 franchise businesses in the United States employing nine million people and generating more than $900 billion in economic output.

For the full list and biographies for the new 2026 directors, click here.

About Neighborly® 

Neighborly® is a family of global brands focused on being remarkable with consumers and franchise owners. What began as one brand in Waco, Texas, in 1981 has grown to more than 30 brands and 5,500 franchise locations across North America and Europe serving millions of customers. Neighborly offers a proven path to business ownership accompanied by established systems, award-winning brands, training, and continued support throughout the franchising journey.

• To learn about franchising opportunities, visit franchise.neighborly.com  
• To bring your passion to Neighborly, visit neighborlybrands.com/careers
• To find trusted service professionals for any project, visit Neighborly.com

About the International Franchise Association:

Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 831,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.8 million direct jobs, $896.9 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.