Troy Hazard
Franchise Expert, Professional Speaker, Entrepreneur and Author
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The core business for the entrepreneur, who has founded and nurtured thirteen businesses, has been as consultant to some of the world's leading franchise brands including Goodyear, Subway, and Baskin Robbins. In fact, he has worked with some 300 franchise brands in 16 different countries. Add to that, he has been a franchisee twice, more recently a shareholder and Chairman of The Board of the franchise brand, Poolwerx, where he managed the sale of that business through a successful exit to Private Equity in 2022. He is currently Chairman of the sales transformation business, SalesStar, with the portfolio of the global development of that business. As a respected voice in the franchise sector, Troy has also hosted two National Network TV programs on franchising, Inside Franchising and Don't Come Monday, in Australia. His global business talents have also earned him international respect, so much so that in 2007 he was elected by the world's foremost business leaders for the role of Global President of the Entrepreneurs' Organization.
Ricky Kalmon
Mindset Expert, Stage Hypnotist and Motivational Speaker
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Ricky's programs are inspirational and offer compelling, applicable tools anyone can use in personal and professional development. Kalmon reveals how our mindset can be the greatest tool in achieving new heights, reducing stress, and increasing productivity and potential. Ricky Kalmon's mindset message and techniques will change the way you live, work, and think. Kalmon works with Fortune 500 companies, sales teams, leaders, executives, and sports teams, teaching them how to reinforce their thoughts and beliefs to enhance their results. By creating awareness of your thoughts, Kalmon reveals how to enhance your mindset to eliminate doubt and ignite your positive intentions. Through his programs, thousands have changed their world by changing the way they think.
Fernando Camacho
Founder and Dog Behavior Consultant
Overdog Digital
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Fernando, Fern, Camacho is the founder of Overdog Digital, a digital marketing and consulting agency that helps dog daycare and boarding facilities attract, convert and keep more customers, without overwhelm or burnout, by creating winning marketing campaigns and providing the business guidance to build momentum and spark long term growth. Fern also has programs to train in daycare, is a dog behavior consultant, and has a dog training business in New Jersey. He is the author of 8 books and a popular speaker at national conferences and private events.
Rod Hughes
President and Principal
Kimball Hughes Public Relations
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Rod Hughes is president and principal of Kimball Hughes Public Relations, a national agency specializing in B2B brand, reputation and crisis communications management for the insurance, legal, technology and professional association industries, among others. Hughes has consulted with Fortune 500 corporations as well as startups and nonprofits across a range of industries focusing on the strategic creation, management and development of brand reputations and messaging as well as executive visibility. He spent a decade as a journalist before turning to public relations in 2003 where he and his colleagues now support many of the same industries he covered as a journalist.
Steven Parker
Co-Founder, Board Member and Co-CEO
K9 Resorts
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Steven co-founded K9 Resorts in 2005 and serves as Co-Chief Executive Officer. Steven oversees resort development, resort operations, and operating standards across the franchise system. He regularly speaks at national conferences and universities on the topics of business, pet care, and entrepreneurship. Steven has earned recognition from the Mayor of Fanwood, the New Jersey State Policeman's Benevolent Association, and United States Congress for his charitable contributions.
Jason Parker
Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board and Co-CEO
K9 Resorts
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Jason co-founded K9 Resorts in 2005 and serves as Co-Chief Executive Officer. Jason oversees everything franchise related which includes, but is not limited to, development, operations, marketing and finance. At K9 Resorts, Jason has played a pivotal role in the development of the business model, long term financial management, human resources, marketing, and promotional strategies. Jason is also a nationally renowned speaker, considered an expert in the pet care industry, and has been recognized by United States Congress for outstanding and invaluable service to the community.
Dan Wheeler
Chief Marketing Officer
K9 Resorts
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Dan Wheeler joined K9 Resorts as Chief Marketing Officer in 2024 and is responsible for developing and elevating the company's brand strategy and revenue trajectory. With a deep background in marketing, guest experience, and innovation, Dan has helped build and scale successful brands across multiple industries. In the restaurant category, he has led brand management, digital transformation, advertising, field marketing, public relations, strategy, and concept innovation for Dunkin', Baskin-Robbins, Wahlburgers, and Uncle Julio's. As managing partner for Ohio based WorkPlace Media and SVP and Group Account Director at global marketing agency RAPP Worldwide, he served a roster of clients across retail, hospitality, consumer electronics, and other industries. Dan is a Club CMO member, sits on the advisory board at InnoLead, and spends his free time cooking, exercising, and enjoying just about anything outdoors with his wife, 4 children, and devoted rescue pups Rosco and Pepper.
Scott Troeller
Board Member and Special Advisor
K9 Resorts
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Scott is a private equity executive and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience acquiring, building, and transforming businesses into industry leaders well positioned for either public or private expansion. He has completed over 100 acquisitions, divestitures and financing transactions across multiple middle market industries in excess of $10 billion of value. A past chairman and board member of over 20 private and public companies, Scott is adept at working with management teams and their investors to drive strategy, growth and successful business outcomes.
Carolina Matias-Perez
Vice President of Marketing
K9 Resorts
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Coming Soon
Ken Edwards
Vice President of Research and Development
K9 Resorts
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Ken joined K9 Resorts in 2024 and serves as the Vice President of Research and Development, responsible for new resort innovations and tasked with development and implementation across the K9 system. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Ken brings expertise in operations, sales, franchising, innovation and strategic growth across multiple regions. Prior to joining K9 Resorts, Ken held leadership roles within AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sport Clips. His background includes scaling operations, optimizing performance, and fostering sustainable growth, focusing on success through collaboration and guidance.
James Rochowiak
Senior Vice President of Finance
K9 Resorts
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James joined K9 Resorts in April 2026 as Senior Vice President of Finance bringing more than 20 years of experience from some of the leading retail and hospitality brands. James works closely with the executive, operations, and marketing teams to support company growth, strengthen financial performance, and build more effective business processes, focusing on franchise profitability, accelerating cash flow, optimizing labor, enhancing analytics and strategic planning. Before K9 Resorts, James held leadership roles at Gap Inc. and Francesca's. At Gap Inc., he led finance transformation initiatives and helped modernize planning and forecasting capabilities across the organization. As Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at Francesca's, James oversaw FP and A and worked closely with leadership to drive financial performance across a national network of more than 400 boutiques.
Kevin Tennant, CFE
Senior Vice President of Development
K9 Resorts
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Kevin joined K9 Resorts in 2019 and was recently promoted to Senior Vice President of Development. Kevin is responsible for assisting franchisees from signing day through grand opening. Kevin came to K9 Resorts with more than 30 years of retail operations experience. Throughout his career, Kevin held a variety of positions at major brands, including The Disney Store, Vice President of Stores and Operations at Nautica, Senior Director of Store Operations at Tommy Hilfiger, and Vice President of Operations at Rook Coffee. In these positions, Kevin oversaw operations, employee training, and strategic planning.
Jessie Sapienza, CFE
Director of Training
K9 Resorts
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Jessica has been a member of the K9 Resorts team since inception in 2005. She served as Operations Manager where she was responsible for resort management, franchisee training, and the development and opening of new resorts. Jessie now serves as the Director of Training, overseeing and enhancing all corporate and franchisee training. As an original member of the K9 Resorts team, Jessica has years of experience in every position at the resort level. Jessica has played a key role in the development of systems and processes at K9 Resorts.
Allyson Bentley
Digital Marketing Manager
K9 Resorts
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Allyson Bentley is the Digital Marketing Manager at K9 Resorts, currently leading CRM, website (CMS), and digital marketing systems used across the resort network. Her AI credentials include AWS Certified AI Practitioner, AWS Certified Machine Learning, Google Cloud Generative AI Certification, Claude Certified Architect (CCAR-F), a Coursera Professional Certificate in AI Product Marketing, and OpenAI training in Applied AI Foundations and Agents and Workflows.
Kayla Conley
Data Analyst
K9 Resorts
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Kayla Conley is a Marketing Analyst at K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel, specializing in marketing analytics, business intelligence, and strategic reporting. She develops data driven solutions that support marketing performance, franchise growth, and executive decision making across the K9 Resorts system. Kayla earned her Bachelor of Science in Media Management from the University of Miami and her Master of Science in Marketing Analytics and Insights from Rutgers Business School, where she graduated first in her program while serving as a Data Analyst Intern for the Rutgers University Alumni Foundation. Her programming expertise includes SQL, Python, and R, which she leverages to transform complex data into actionable business insights.
Allen Kline
FAC Chairman, Franchise Owner
K9 Resorts Brookfield
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Allen Kline is a seasoned Human Resources executive with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations align people strategies with business growth. He currently serves as Head of Human Resources at AccuLynx, where he leads the company's human capital strategy across multiple locations and a remote workforce. Throughout his career, Allen has held executive leadership roles with organizations including Kohl's and Evive, driving initiatives in talent strategy, employee experience, organizational transformation, leadership development, and business operations. A respected voice in the HR community, Allen has been a featured speaker at HR Conference Board annual health conferences, sharing practical insights on leadership, employee engagement, and the future of work. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University and is a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
