Six veterans on mission to win Maid Brigade franchise

A tough-as-nails Army Airborne Ranger, an articulate and persuasive Air Force Public Affairs Officer or a technically trained naval nuclear reactor operator. Who would best lead a brigade ... of residential cleaning maids?

There are six finalists in the First Maid Brigade Veterans Franchise Giveaway. Finalists reside in Arkansas, Florida, Oregon, Texas and Virginia, are former officers and enlisted soldiers in the Army, Navy and the Air Force, and range in age from 31 to 44. Three have earned their MBAs, and each has passed several levels of approval to reach this stage of the program. Each completed a behavioral profile evaluation to determine if he would fit within a franchise environment, Maid Brigade's system in particular. To enter the contest, each finalist submitted an essay on how his military experience and leadership prepared him for successful business ownership.

The finalists' next step, in early November, is to vie for the Gold in a two-day evaluation process conducted by Maid Brigade executives and a panel of four judges. The judges consist of a rear admiral who once served as the first active-duty director of the White House Military Office; a retired naval captain who now heads the leading military-related job board on the Internet; a retired Vietnam veteran and award-winning Maid Brigade franchisee; and Maid Brigade Chairman and founder Don Hay.

The first-place award includes working capital, equipment, training and a waived franchise fee to own and operate a new Maid Brigade residential cleaning franchise, valued at more than $45,000. The Silver Award is a $27,500 version of that same package, and Bronze provides equipment, training and a waived fee, with an overall value of more than $17,500. Additionally, for any veteran interested in owning a Maid Brigade franchise who entered the contest and qualified as a viable franchise owner, Maid Brigade will waive its smaller market "Select" franchise fee, a value of $14,500 each.

The national franchiser Maid Brigade launched its giveaway program as a way to salute the U.S. military, to assist veterans in their civilian endeavors and to recruit more disciplined and skilled veterans to its franchise network. "The 'brigade' in Maid Brigade takes on a new connotation this Veterans Day," said Hay, whose company has been a longtime supporter of the military and its families. Currently, 10 percent of the Maid Brigade franchise network consists of military veterans.

By Nov. 6, the judges will determine who wins the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards, and by Veterans Day, the company will announce the winners. Within a matter of 90 days, each new franchise will be up and running, with the winning veterans at the helm.

After Veterans Day 2009 and until next year's giveaway contest, Maid Brigade will continue to honor veterans by discounting its franchise fees 25 percent for all qualified and honorably discharged veterans.

Click on a name below to learn more about that finalist:

Gerald Zeigler | Philip (Tom) Piaget | Michael Braibish | Steven Buchanan | Thomas McWhorter | Christopher Norwood

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Gerald Zeigler
Resident of Virginia Beach, VA
Served 20 years in the U.S. Navy
Rank: Chief Petty Officer
Highest level of education: MBA

Excerpt from his application: "I've learned that a positive attitude can be infectious and it can help drive success. ... I know that I was effective in personnel development and mentorship, as on several occasions, some of these individuals contacted me years after having served with them and they expressed gratitude and a desire to serve with me again."

 

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Philip (Tom) Piaget
Resident of Crestview, FL
Served 20 years in the U.S. Army, Airborne Rangers
Rank: Major
Highest level of education: BA

Excerpt from his application: "To put it simply, I didn't believe there was anything more important, or a greater determination of success, than the U.S. soldier. ... I think that my life as a leader of infantrymen and that of a quality Maid Brigade franchisee have very much in common. Trust that my subordinates and superior officers have in me was unquestioned, and my integrity was neither for sale nor up for negotiation. This same uncompromising standard will help to develop dedicated, loyal, and trustworthy employees who understand what we stand for as a company."

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Michael Braibish
Resident of Salem, OR
Served 16.5 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard
Rank: Major
Highest level of education: BA

Excerpt from his application: "As a PAO (Public Affairs Officer), I learned valuable skills that helped me develop positive relationships with the community and the media, and the life-lessons continued."

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Steven Buchanan
Resident of Lantana, TX
Served 12 years in the U.S. Air Force (9.5 Active Duty, 2.5 Reserves)
Rank: Captain
Highest level of education: MBA, CPA

Excerpt from his application: "My leadership was noted when I moved up the ranks from Enlisted to Officer. I was sent to fully funded graduate school through the Air Force, which is an honor given to only the top 2% of military officers. I was also promoted to Comptroller at the rank of Lieutenant."

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Thomas (Tommy) McWhorter
Fort Worth, TX
Air Force
Served 10 years
Rank: Captain
Highest level of education: MBA

Excerpt from his application: "Projects succeed or fail because of the people involved. ... Always look for character, loyalty, judgment, a balanced ego and the drive to get things done. Look for intelligence and the capacity to anticipate."

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Christopher Norwood
Van Buren, AR
Army
Served 6 years
Rank: Captain
Highest level of education: BA

Excerpt from his application: "Military is not for everyone just like a franchise is not for everyone, but the two passions I have in my life are to serve my country and own my own business. One thing I learned in my military training was to be a great leader you have to be a great follower. ...As a franchisee, you will have to have the ability and willingness to follow directions and not reinvent the wheel."