Meet the team that will get you to GREAT.

Patrice & Associates is a franchise company filled with recruiting experts who put employers’ and job seekers’ needs first. Meet the team that leads the charge and empowers Patrice business owners and their teams in hundreds of local offices all across North America.

Ross & Karen Horton / Eastern Canada

Phone:

Ross: 702-260-7644

Karen: 604-375-0139

Ross: rhorton@patriceandassociates.com

Karen: khorton@patriceandassociates.com

Territories: Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

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.

Leadership Team

Brian K. Miller / CEO

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.

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 C. Miller / VP Franchise Development

Jason

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.

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.

George Wooten / Director of Franchise Operations
Award Winning Regional Developer and Lead

George and his wife Sue are award-winning and top-producing Patrice & Associate’s Regional Developers and Franchisees. George additionally serves as Director of Franchise Operations/ Training. In his Patrice & Associates leadership role, George’s mission is not just to train franchisees and recruiters but to help franchisees operate a successful business while creating a fantastic “Patrice” experience for employers and job seekers. George also provides ongoing operational support for the Regional Developers and Franchisees in their effort to match the right candidates to the right employers effectively and efficiently – the “Patrice Way.” Operational support includes but is not limited to proprietary technology, systems, processes, and established guidelines and guardrails. Because George is an active, working franchisee, he knows and understands the “Patrice Way” from following it on a daily basis in his business. He knows first-hand what it takes to be successful and leverages that experience to coach and motivate our Franchisees.

Mike Gammon / Controller

Mike recently joined Patrice and Associates in the Controller role and is based in the Arizona office. Mike brings to the positions his vast experience in Hospitality Accounting and Finance. Mike will be working closely with our Finance Manager Mallory Cioana who continues to manage the Pay/Bill function.

He holds a bachelors degree in Hotel Management form Purdue University and an MBA with a focus on Finance and marketing from the University of Arizona. From manager of a family owned restaurant-hotel F&B Director, Controller and General Manager to National Director of Finance Transitions Task Force, Mike has worked diligently to implement process improvements and share his knowledge with his employees and colleagues.

While Patrice & Associates has a strong and successful past, Mike sees a future promising tremendous growth and opportunity for both current and future franchisees. Implementing strong accounting standards, consistency, and process controls will assist in providing accurate and timely data that will be essential in make strategic operations decisions and take us to the next level of success. He looks forward to work with the entire Patrice & Associates family to build on that success – keeping in mind our values of Respect, Excellence, Service and Teamwork. Mike may be reaching out to Regional Developers and Franchises with questions as he becomes familiar with our brand. Mike can be contacted at mgammon@PatriceandAssociates.com or via text/phone at 480.726.3130.

Ivy McMahon / Corporate Account Manager

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.

Michelle Bass / Franchise Development Coordinator

Please welcome Michelle Bass as Franchise Coordinator to the Patrice & Associates family. Michelle comes to us with experience in fundraising having started her career with The Leukemia Society as a Program Coordinator doing Fundraising/PR. Michelle says, “There wasn’t a door I would not knock on, call too hard to make, or a camera or microphone I would not speak into!” Her most recent position was in the medical field in a busy multi-provider office as a Patient Access Representative where she wore many hats and scheduled appointments, referrals, answered calls, etc. She will be replacing Donna Miller who is retiring. She has been training with Donna for about a month. She is thrilled to be on board with Patrice & Associates in her new role.

Brian Martin / Franchise Business Consultant,
Award Winning Franchisee & Trainer

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.

Mallory Cioana / Finance Manager

Mallory Cioana started working at Patrice & Associates in January 2020. She began in the Franchise Development department, and a few months later she transferred to the Recruiting Division to train for an Accounting Role. In November 2020, she became an Accounting Assistant but was later promoted to Accounting Manager in January 2021. After a year in the Account Manager role, she was promoted to Finance Manager. She now oversees and supervises a wide range of Accounting functions including Accounts Payables and Accounts Receivables. “I love my role here at Patrice & Associates. It is a pleasure for me to help and be a liaison wherever I can. It’s very rewarding being able to facilitate payment to the franchisees for their hard work! I’m proud to be part of the Patrice & Associates family.”

Kristie Hoover / Executive Support Specialist

Kristie is a U.S. Air Force veteran, where she worked in Security Forces, then cross trained to K9. Once Kristie got out, she worked as an Animal Control Officer for a total of 8 years. Kristie’s primary focus now is to provide support to Brian, Jason and George with all things Patrice Franchising, LLC. Kristie is also responsible for all new franchisee on-boarding, setting up and terminations of recruiters, processing client agreements, assisting with just about any and all admin needs!

Brian K. Miller / CEO

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.

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 C. Miller / VP Franchise Development

Jason

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.

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.

George Wooten / Director of Franchise Operations
Award Winning Regional Developer and Lead

George and his wife Sue are award-winning and top-producing Patrice & Associate’s Regional Developers and Franchisees. George additionally serves as Director of Franchise Operations/ Training. In his Patrice & Associates leadership role, George’s mission is not just to train franchisees and recruiters but to help franchisees operate a successful business while creating a fantastic “Patrice” experience for employers and job seekers. George also provides ongoing operational support for the Regional Developers and Franchisees in their effort to match the right candidates to the right employers effectively and efficiently – the “Patrice Way.” Operational support includes but is not limited to proprietary technology, systems, processes, and established guidelines and guardrails. Because George is an active, working franchisee, he knows and understands the “Patrice Way” from following it on a daily basis in his business. He knows first-hand what it takes to be successful and leverages that experience to coach and motivate our Franchisees.

Mike Gammon / Controller

Mike recently joined Patrice and Associates in the Controller role and is based in the Arizona office. Mike brings to the positions his vast experience in Hospitality Accounting and Finance. Mike will be working closely with our Finance Manager Mallory Cioana who continues to manage the Pay/Bill function.

He holds a bachelors degree in Hotel Management form Purdue University and an MBA with a focus on Finance and marketing from the University of Arizona. From manager of a family owned restaurant-hotel F&B Director, Controller and General Manager to National Director of Finance Transitions Task Force, Mike has worked diligently to implement process improvements and share his knowledge with his employees and colleagues.

While Patrice & Associates has a strong and successful past, Mike sees a future promising tremendous growth and opportunity for both current and future franchisees. Implementing strong accounting standards, consistency, and process controls will assist in providing accurate and timely data that will be essential in make strategic operations decisions and take us to the next level of success. He looks forward to work with the entire Patrice & Associates family to build on that success – keeping in mind our values of Respect, Excellence, Service and Teamwork. Mike may be reaching out to Regional Developers and Franchises with questions as he becomes familiar with our brand. Mike can be contacted at mgammon@PatriceandAssociates.com or via text/phone at 480.726.3130.

Ivy McMahon / Corporate Account Manager

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.

Michelle Bass / Franchise Development Coordinator

Please welcome Michelle Bass as Franchise Coordinator to the Patrice & Associates family. Michelle comes to us with experience in fundraising having started her career with The Leukemia Society as a Program Coordinator doing Fundraising/PR. Michelle says, “There wasn’t a door I would not knock on, call too hard to make, or a camera or microphone I would not speak into!” Her most recent position was in the medical field in a busy multi-provider office as a Patient Access Representative where she wore many hats and scheduled appointments, referrals, answered calls, etc. She will be replacing Donna Miller who is retiring. She has been training with Donna for about a month. She is thrilled to be on board with Patrice & Associates in her new role.

Brian Martin / Franchise Business Consultant,
Award Winning Franchisee & Trainer

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.

Mallory Cioana / Finance Manager

Mallory Cioana started working at Patrice & Associates in January 2020. She began in the Franchise Development department, and a few months later she transferred to the Recruiting Division to train for an Accounting Role. In November 2020, she became an Accounting Assistant but was later promoted to Accounting Manager in January 2021. After a year in the Account Manager role, she was promoted to Finance Manager. She now oversees and supervises a wide range of Accounting functions including Accounts Payables and Accounts Receivables. “I love my role here at Patrice & Associates. It is a pleasure for me to help and be a liaison wherever I can. It’s very rewarding being able to facilitate payment to the franchisees for their hard work! I’m proud to be part of the Patrice & Associates family.”

Kristie Hoover / Executive Support Specialist

Kristie is a U.S. Air Force veteran, where she worked in Security Forces, then cross trained to K9. Once Kristie got out, she worked as an Animal Control Officer for a total of 8 years. Kristie’s primary focus now is to provide support to Brian, Jason and George with all things Patrice Franchising, LLC. Kristie is also responsible for all new franchisee on-boarding, setting up and terminations of recruiters, processing client agreements, assisting with just about any and all admin needs!

What I found appealing besides the business aspect of it was the people part. Patrice headquarters is there to support, they’re there to train. And the daily activity is simple. It’s not like it’s rocket science. It’s not heart surgery. It’s calling and talking with people.

Hez Butler

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