SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Honest-1 Auto Care, a national full-service auto repair and maintenance franchise, has announced the promotion of Rissy Sutherland to chief operating officer.
In addition, the company has hired Chip Baranowski as vice president of franchise development to lead the expansion efforts of the rapidly growing chain.
Sutherland has been senior vice president of operations at Honest-1 since April 2008. In her new position, she will be responsible for strategic planning to develop the brand, including public relations, operations and marketing. Sutherland also will continue to work on upgrading vendor relationships and managing training at Honest-1 Auto Care headquarters and in the field.
Sutherland has spent her entire career in the automotive industry, including 10 years working in auto shops her family owned. She went to school at night and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Clemson University.
Before joining Honest-1 Auto Care, she was director of training and vice president of operations and training for Moran Industries Inc., responsible for more than 200 auto-repair shops.
Baranowski most recently was franchise development manager at Unishippers Global Logistics LLC, where he helped the company re-launch its franchise development program. He was instrumental in bringing on more than 55 new franchise owners and developing a number of new programs that fueled Unishippers’ growth.
Previously, he owned a FranNet business for more than four years and helped more than 30 people get started in their own franchise business. Before joining FranNet, he was regional director at Coverall of North America, in charge of the daily operations of the regional office and its staff as well as the selling of franchises and training of all franchise owners in his area.
He also previously served as director of franchise development for Nationwide Floor and Window Coverings, and as a manager at Ryder Truck Rental/Budget Car & Truck Rental, responsible for franchise account development and management, marketing, employee relations and business plan development.
