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Annex Brands, Inc., based in San Diego, California is a franchisor of over 400 shipping and office service centers located in 35 states and internationally. Founded in 1985 as Postal Annex+, Inc.. the company recently was formed after the acquisition of the fourth brand in operation: Handle With Care: Packaging Store. A leader in the shipping and business services industry, Annex Brands' locations operate as PostalAnnex+, Handle With Care: Packaging Store, Sunshine Pack & Ship and SPS Moving. In 2007, the four brands together generated over $100 million in combined revenue.
History
In 1985, Jack Lentz saw a need that no other mail and parcel center at the time was fulfilling, offering a complete line of small office and home-based office services under one roof. Lentz named the business, "PostalAnnex+", and three locations were in operation in less than a year.
With success quickly blooming, Postal Annex+, Inc. sold its first franchise in 1986, located in the Rancho Penasquitos community of San Diego, California. Since then PostalAnnex+ has grown to more than 300 locations in 24 states and internationally.
Seeing an opportunity to also grow through acquisition, Postal Annex+, Inc. in September, 2006 acquired the Florida-based Sunshine Pack & Ship retail and commercial centers and SPS Moving operations. The Sunshine acquisition provided new opportunities with the shipping of large, fragile and valuable items through its logistics and van line operations.
Then in September, 2007, the company passed the 400-unit mark with the acquisition of the Handle With Care-Packaging Store brand. This addition opened 11 new states for the company, bringing the total served domestically to 35 states. The Packaging Store locations strengthened the company's vertical reach into the shipping and transportation business through its commercial logistics operations. A twenty-plus year-old brand itself, over half of the Packgaging Store owners bring over 10 years' experience in shipping fragile, large, awkward and valuable items.
Meet Our Management....
Jack Lentz, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Jack Lentz founded PostalAnnex+ with three stores, opening in the summer of 1985. One year later, Jack learned about franchising and started the PostalAnnex+ franchise system.
After graduating from college, Jack’s first career (12 years) was in the newspaper business. He later owned a business magazine and spent years in the printing business. During this period, he attended law school at night and received his law degree in 1969.
After a short retirement, he and his wife, Marty, started another printing company. Shortly thereafter, Marty took over the business, and Jack became president of a title insurance company.
Trying to retire once again, Jack found his expertise needed by friends, this time working as a business consultant. Working out of his home, Jack realized the need for mailing, faxing, copying, shipping and other services to belong under one roof. As a result, he created the first PostalAnnex+ store, located next door to a post office in the University City neighborhood of San Diego, California.
Today, Jack continues as Chairman and CEO of PostalAnnex+ as well as serving as a trustee of a yacht club and a member of the board of directors of two organizations.
Patrick F. Edd, President and Chief Financial Officer
Patrick has been with Annex Brands for 16 years, starting with the Company as Director of Finance and Administration in 1991. Subsequently, he was named the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In 2004, he was promoted to the position of President while retaining the title of CFO. His primary responsibilities include the day-to-day operational management of the company and all accounting, finance, and administrative functions.
Patrick studied at San Diego State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration as an Accounting Major. After college, he earned his certification to practice as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from the state of California.
Prior to his service at Annex Brands, Patrick spent four years with the international accounting firm of Touche Ross & Co. (currently known as Deloitte & Touche), primarily as a financial auditor, specializing in savings and loans, construction, broker dealers, mortgage banking, insurance and real estate.
After Touche Ross & Co., Patrick spent three years as CFO of one of its clients in the hospitality industry before joining Annex Brands.
Sean P. Hilly, Senior Vice President
Sean has been with Annex Brands for 16 years, starting with the Company as a store manager in 1991. Subsequently, he was promoted to Vice President of Franchise Services. In 2006, he was elevated to the position of Senior Vice-President of the Company with responsibility for strategic planning, training, store buildouts, vendor relations and Franchisee support.
Sean studied at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a minor in Psychology. Immediately after college, he spent two years as a professional cyclist before beginning his career in the industry as a manager of a retail mail and parcel center.
Steve Goble, Vice President of Marketing Communications
Steve joined the Company as a PostalAnnex+ Franchisee in 2000 before moving over to the Home Office in 2006 as Director of Marketing Communications. In April, 2007 he was promoted to his current position. Steve's current responsibilities are to market the PostalAnnex+, HWC-Packaging Store, Sunshine Pack & Ship and SPS Moving brands, products and services for the Company and the Franchisees through a variety of means including advertising, public relations, marketing materials and Web presence.
During his tenure as a Franchisee, Steve led the San Diego Advertising Association for four years and taught marketing classes to fellow franchisees. Before joining the Company, he worked at a discount clothing retailer and a quick-service food company in various finance, accounting and marketing analysis positions.
Steve studied at San Diego State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1983 in Business Administration with a major in Marketing and a minor in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. In 1987, he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a Marketing major.
Jack B. Pearce, Executive Director of Franchise Integration
Jack joined Annex Brands in 2007, just after the Company's acquisition of the Handle With Care Packaging Store franchise system. His responsibilities are to integrate the small, medium, and large-sized freight operations across the retail and commercial locations currently operated by the PostalAnnex+, Handle With Care Packaging Store and Sunshine Pack & Ship brands.
A shipping industry veteran with 17 years of franchise system experience, Jack was a multi-unit franchisee of the Handle With Care Packaging Store in San Francisco Bay Area from 1990 through 2001. Most recently he served as Director of Marketing, Training and Business Development for Handyman Matters.
Jack graduated from Claremont Men's College with bachelor degrees in Economics and Psychology and later received his MBA from Willamette University. His areas of expertise include organizational development, operational processes, financial controls, internal methods and procedures & integration management.
Jack also has earned the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation from the International Franchise Association (IFA) and currently serves on two of the IFA's national committees: Franchise Relations and Information Technology.
MaryAnn Canup, Director of Compliance
MaryAnn has been with Annex Brands for 13 years, starting in an administrative capacity, eventually rising to the position of Executive Coordinator.
In 2005, she was promoted to her current position as Director of Compliance. Her duties include ensuring the compliance with franchise investment laws, managing franchise registration renewals and updates, and franchise transfer coordination.
Prior to joining the Company, Mary Ann worked in the maritime and banking industries.
Ryan Heine, Director of Franchising
Ryan joined the Company in 2002, in a sales and development capacity working with prospective owners seeking to join the franchise network. His role in the operational activities of the department was expanded in January, 2006 when he took on the title of Franchise Development Manager. In 2007, he was promoted to Director of Franchising where his primary responsibilities are to develop the franchise systems of Annex Brands, Inc. and expand these franchise networks worldwide.
Ryan studied at the University of California at San Diego, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1999 in Philosophy. Prior to joining the Company, he worked in a career placement firm, assisting people transitioning from military service into positions with Fortune® 500 firms.
Ryan also has earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America.
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