Mark Begelman is CEO of Pizza Fusion where he applies his
expertise in growing companies into national household brands. With top
level executive and notable entrepreneurial experience spanning more than 30
years, Mark’s business accomplishments are vast. Most notably, Mark co-founded Office Club in 1986, one of the nation’s first big-box
office supply retailers, took it public in 1989, and eventually merged it with
Office Depot. Following the merger, Mark served as President and Chief
Operating Officer of Office Depot from 1991 to 1995, during which time, Office
Depot's revenues grew from approximately $900 million to $4.5 billion, the
store base grew from approximately 127 stores to 460 stores, and the company’s
market capitalization grew from $900 million to $5.5 billion. Mark left
Office Depot in 1995, to start what became Mars Music, a musical instrument
retailer growing to over 52 superstores, a company he led until 2002.
Following his time at Mars Music, Mark served as President
of MDB222 Inc., a management consulting firm. More recently, Mark was
recruited to design and lead one of Florida’s largest headquartered bank’s
statewide branch expansion strategy that resulted in BankAtlantic increasing
its network by nearly 50%. In that effort, Mark served in several key
operating roles at BankAtlantic from 2005-2008, including: President of the
$6.4 billion bank's Real Estate, Construction & Development division,
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, responsible for business
development, marketing, advertising, sales, business banking, treasury
management, and new store development. Prior to Pizza Fusion, Mark was
co-president of Snapper Creek Equity Management, posts held since the company’s
inception.
Mark was twice named Ernst and Young's
"Entrepreneur of the Year" and named Financial News' CEO of the Year.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York’s Dowling College. He is a
member of World Presidents Organization and previously Young Presidents
Organization.
Vaughan Lazar President and Co-Founder
Vaughan Lazar is President and Co-Founder of Pizza Fusion. He plays an intricate role with the marketing, communications, and environmental stewardship of Pizza Fusion. Vaughan oversees the creative direction, branding, and strategic positioning of the chain. He is a social media expert and enjoys engaging regularly with Pizza Fusion customers over the chain’s social media channels. Furthermore, Vaughan is the chief environmental consultant at Pizza Fusion, serving as the driving force behind the chain’s industry leading environmental initiatives.
Vaughan carries his socially conscious mantra into his personal life with numerous philanthropic endeavors. He has contributed both in-kind and monetary donations to a number of non-profit organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, Kids In Distress and the Humane Society, to name a few. In 2008, Vaughan raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through Team In Training and the San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon, marking the third year in a row he raised money for the organization through this rigorous training program.
In 2009, Vaughan created the Fusion Extreme Team, an endurance sports team committed to helping people of all ages achieve fitness goals while working to save lives and the planet through its various philanthropic efforts. Today, the Fusion Extreme Team has over 50 active members who train regularly under the direction of experienced marathon and triathlon coaches. Vaughan, alongside 20 members of the Fusion Extreme Team, raised over $20,000 for Autism Speaks through running the 2009 Seattle Rock n’ Roll marathon.
This year, Vaughan was appointed to the City of Boca Raton’s Green Living Task Force. Voted in by his home town, Boca Raton, City Council, Vaughan was one of nine selected to head up the city’s new environmental awareness initiative. The Green Living Task Force will develop a plan for educating and involving Boca Raton residents in environmental activities.
Prior to Pizza Fusion, Vaughan co-founded Stellar Concepts & Design, a printing and design firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which he started in 1996 out of his living room. He managed the company’s sales growth of over 200% per year until exceeding $5 million a year in gross revenues, serving all 50 states and several outlying countries. Vaughan sold his stake in the company in 2009.
Vaughan was born and raised in Newport, Rhode Island before relocating to Florida to study marketing at Florida Atlantic University. Here, he started the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. When he's not working, you'll find Vaughan snowboarding at Whistler or surfing the Atlantic.
Randy Romano Executive Vice President of Franchise Development
Randy has over 20 years experience in developing and expanding businesses through franchising. In 1984, Randy started American College Planning Service Inc., which provided financial aid planning for college to families. In 1986, the company began franchising its college planning centers throughout the United States and established 32 franchised locations servicing over 10,000 families annually by 1992. During this time, Randy also built and maintained a general insurance agency with the North Atlantic Life Insurance Company.
In 1992, Randy conceived and started The Treasure Cache Inc. franchise. The Treasure Cache established retail specialty gift stores in regional and super regional malls throughout the United States. From one company owned location, the company grew to over 60 locations through franchising, with over $10,000,000 in annual sales. In 1996 the company completed a successful stock offering giving the company a market cap of over $40,000,000. In 1998, The Treasure Cache was acquired by a public internet company.
In 2000, Randy helped launch a new startup franchise company called Embroidme. Embroidme was founded by the owners of Sign-a-Rama and Minutemen Press, two successful franchise companies with over 1,500 franchisees between them. During his tenure, Randy was involved with all aspects of the company, from marketing to franchise sales.
In 2002, Randy joined The Berkeley Group, a timeshare company, as Director of Sales. The Berkeley Group achieved over $500,000,000 in annual revenues in 2005. Randy's responsibilities included developing sales presentations and materials to be used by all of its 1,300 sales personnel.
Jerry Woda
Chief Financial
Officer
Jerry
Woda is Chief Financial Officer at Pizza Fusion. As CFO, Jerry’s responsibilities
include financial, accounting, budgeting, and tax administration for the
company. He also works with Pizza Fusion franchisees on financial matters
concerning their operations. Prior to Pizza Fusion, Jerry was with Miami Subs
for 15 years as their CFO from the inception of the company through its growth
to more than 200 franchises. Before Miami Subs, Jerry was CFO for a $1.5
billion bank. He also held a management position at one of the top four largest
accounting firms in the world. Jerry graduated from Florida Atlantic University
with a B.S. in Accounting and became a Florida CPA in 1974.
For media inquiries, contact:
Eric Haley
Vice President of Communications
Pizza Fusion
6555 Powerline Rd., Suite 101
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Office: (954) 449-7244
Fax: (954) 449-4957
