Our Leadership Team
Led by a distinguished Board of Directors—franchise veterans, innovators, and strategists—EMBA is committed to your success.
John T. Hewitt
CEO & CHAIRMAN, LOYALTY BRANDS, LLC
With a career spanning over five decades, John T. Hewitt has left an indelible mark through his remarkable contributions to franchising, particularly in the tax and business services industries. Hewitt’s entrepreneurial journey began with H&R Block in 1969 and continued with the creation of two publicly traded tax preparation franchise organizations, Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax Service. His visionary leadership led to Jackson Hewitt’s sale for nearly half a billion dollars in 1997, solidifying his reputation as a titan in the industry.
Today, as the Founder and CEO of Loyalty Brands, Hewitt continues to shape the franchising landscape. Under his guidance, Loyalty Brands has become a synergistic group of franchise businesses and services designed to empower franchise buyers for long-term success. From ATAX Tax Service to Zoomin Groomin, Loyalty Business Brokers, CR3 Exterior Remodeling, Little Medical School, The Inspection Boys, Cooper’s Scoopers, Ledgers, and Salty Dawg, Hewitt’s ventures span diverse industries, offering comprehensive support to franchisees.
What sets Hewitt apart is his personal involvement in the franchise process. Despite overseeing the awarding of more than 5,200 franchises, he makes it a point to meet with every qualified candidate to offer invaluable advice and motivation. Hewitt’s remarkable insights into business and human connection have helped thousands achieve financial success and security, with over 1,000 individuals becoming millionaires under his tutelage. Hewitt’s willingness to offer conversation and inspiration on an individual basis further highlights his passion for empowering others in the franchising world. His insights and guidance are invaluable to aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities of building a successful franchise organization.
As the recipient of the IFA’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2005 and the mastermind behind two of the top 100 franchise retail chains in North America, John T. Hewitt’s expertise is unparalleled. His inspiration is to challenge conventional wisdom and introduce new perspectives on franchising and entrepreneurship.
John’s wisdom and expertise undoubtedly leaves a lasting impression. His unique perspective on franchising challenges conventional thinking and inspires new opinions about business ownership. By sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience, Hewitt equips individuals with the tools and insights needed to embark on their own franchising journey with confidence and success.
Robert (Bob) A. Gappa
FOUNDER & CEO, MANAGEMENT 2000; LOYALTY BRANDS BOARD MEMBER
Born in Montana. Educated in Catholic Schools from fifth grade through Graduate School. After graduate school, taught for four years at a Catholic University in central Florida. Moved to Des Moines, Iowa and developed, lead and managed an Adult Learning Center for Catholics from 13 parishes. After five years took advantage of an opportunity to transition to the corporate world and worked with a consulting company before starting Management 2000 in 1981. Management 2000 has worked with over 1,650 companies who use franchising as their primary growth strategy. Two of these companies were Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax. Currently has the privilege of being a Loyalty Brands’ Board Member. Management 2000 had offices in Canada and Dubai in addition to Houston, Texas.
Previous Experience: Helping over 1,650 companies and individuals grow their brand using franchise as their primary growth strategy.
Current Responsibilities: Loyalty Brands Board Member. Business relationship with CEO, John Hewitt. Complete projects as assigned. Have fun, improving lives. Influence growth of people and Loyalty Brands.
Ellen M. McDowell
SHAREHOLDER & FOUNDING MEMBER, MCDOWELL LAW, PC
Ellen McDowell is a shareholder and founding member of McDowell Law, PC. Her practice consists of representing debtors and creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, commercial and consumer litigation, real estate, municipal law and land use. Ms. McDowell is admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including federal courts in the District Court of New Jersey, the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Ms. McDowell graduated from Rutgers University School of Law, Camden cum laude with a Tax Honors Certificate in 1988. Ms. McDowell has lectured on bankruptcy for the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the Camden County Bar Association. She has written articles on bankruptcy law for the Legal Intelligencer and The Barrister and contributed to the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Mortgage Foreclosure treatise for several years.
She is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association and the Burlington and Camden County Bar Associations. Ms. McDowell is a former member of the Lawyers’ Advisory Committee to the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey, former member of the Board of Trustees of the Camden County Bar Association, and former President of the Maple Shade Business Association and the Maple Shade Rotary Club.
John T. Hewitt
CEO & CHAIRMAN, LOYALTY BRANDS, LLC
With a career spanning over five decades, John T. Hewitt has left an indelible mark through his remarkable contributions to franchising, particularly in the tax and business services industries. Hewitt’s entrepreneurial journey began with H&R Block in 1969 and continued with the creation of two publicly traded tax preparation franchise organizations, Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax Service. His visionary leadership led to Jackson Hewitt’s sale for nearly half a billion dollars in 1997, solidifying his reputation as a titan in the industry.
Today, as the Founder and CEO of Loyalty Brands, Hewitt continues to shape the franchising landscape. Under his guidance, Loyalty Brands has become a synergistic group of franchise businesses and services designed to empower franchise buyers for long-term success. From ATAX Tax Service to Zoomin Groomin, Loyalty Business Brokers, CR3 Exterior Remodeling, Little Medical School, The Inspection Boys, Cooper’s Scoopers, Ledgers, and Salty Dawg, Hewitt’s ventures span diverse industries, offering comprehensive support to franchisees.
What sets Hewitt apart is his personal involvement in the franchise process. Despite overseeing the awarding of more than 5,200 franchises, he makes it a point to meet with every qualified candidate to offer invaluable advice and motivation. Hewitt’s remarkable insights into business and human connection have helped thousands achieve financial success and security, with over 1,000 individuals becoming millionaires under his tutelage. Hewitt’s willingness to offer conversation and inspiration on an individual basis further highlights his passion for empowering others in the franchising world. His insights and guidance are invaluable to aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities of building a successful franchise organization.
As the recipient of the IFA’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2005 and the mastermind behind two of the top 100 franchise retail chains in North America, John T. Hewitt’s expertise is unparalleled. His inspiration is to challenge conventional wisdom and introduce new perspectives on franchising and entrepreneurship.
John’s wisdom and expertise undoubtedly leaves a lasting impression. His unique perspective on franchising challenges conventional thinking and inspires new opinions about business ownership. By sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience, Hewitt equips individuals with the tools and insights needed to embark on their own franchising journey with confidence and success.
Robert (Bob) A. Gappa
FOUNDER & CEO, MANAGEMENT 2000; LOYALTY BRANDS BOARD MEMBER
Born in Montana. Educated in Catholic Schools from fifth grade through Graduate School. After graduate school, taught for four years at a Catholic University in central Florida. Moved to Des Moines, Iowa and developed, lead and managed an Adult Learning Center for Catholics from 13 parishes. After five years took advantage of an opportunity to transition to the corporate world and worked with a consulting company before starting Management 2000 in 1981. Management 2000 has worked with over 1,650 companies who use franchising as their primary growth strategy. Two of these companies were Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax. Currently has the privilege of being a Loyalty Brands’ Board Member. Management 2000 had offices in Canada and Dubai in addition to Houston, Texas.
Previous Experience: Helping over 1,650 companies and individuals grow their brand using franchise as their primary growth strategy.
Current Responsibilities: Loyalty Brands Board Member. Business relationship with CEO, John Hewitt. Complete projects as assigned. Have fun, improving lives. Influence growth of people and Loyalty Brands.
Ellen M. McDowell
SHAREHOLDER & FOUNDING MEMBER, MCDOWELL LAW, PC
Ellen McDowell is a shareholder and founding member of McDowell Law, PC. Her practice consists of representing debtors and creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, commercial and consumer litigation, real estate, municipal law and land use. Ms. McDowell is admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including federal courts in the District Court of New Jersey, the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Ms. McDowell graduated from Rutgers University School of Law, Camden cum laude with a Tax Honors Certificate in 1988. Ms. McDowell has lectured on bankruptcy for the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the Camden County Bar Association. She has written articles on bankruptcy law for the Legal Intelligencer and The Barrister and contributed to the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Mortgage Foreclosure treatise for several years.
She is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association and the Burlington and Camden County Bar Associations. Ms. McDowell is a former member of the Lawyers’ Advisory Committee to the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey, former member of the Board of Trustees of the Camden County Bar Association, and former President of the Maple Shade Business Association and the Maple Shade Rotary Club.
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