Home Repair Franchise Training & Support: Mr. Handyman Franchises

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Passionate Leadership

"Our mission is to offer our residential and commercial customers a professional and reliable maintenance and repair service."
- Todd Recknagel, President & CEO, Mr. Handyman International

The strength of your Mr. Handyman support team starts at the top. Their Passion for Performance fuels an energy and commitment to achieve success. Their vision is focused on your success. Their resources are invested in your success. And, their time is devoted to your success. Now it's time to meet these highly regarded and hugely inspiring team leaders.

Todd Recknagel, President
Todd R. Recknagel joined as President and partner in Mr. Handyman International in early 2003. Mr. Handyman is now a system with over 300 territories open and system sales in excess of $65 million at the end of 2008. Under Recknagel’s direction, Mr. Handyman became the largest employer of handymen worldwide, added actor and home improvement guru Richard Karn as the brand’s spokesperson, expanded internationally in China, the United Kingdom and Ireland and led initiatives to drive consumer sales.

Prior to Mr. Handyman, Recknagel founded, owned and operated the largest traditional / multi-unit franchisee of Blimpie International, Inc. for nine years. Recknagel earned his MBA in Finance at Michigan State University and a B.A. in Business Administration and Economics from Hope College. He served on the Board of Directors of the International Franchise Association, currently chairs the IFA Membership Committee and has been a member of both the IFA Franchisee & Franchisor Forum for the past seven years. He was named Blimpie International’s Franchisee of the Year award winner in 1998, the International Franchisee Association’s Franchisee of the Year award winner in 1999 and the United States Chamber of Commerce Blue Chip Enterprise Award winner in 2000. And, every year we're fortunate to have him lending his aggressive, hands-on, and bottom-line—but let's make this a fun business—approach to building the Mr. Handyman brand.
John McLellan, Cheif Marketing Officer
John McLellan joined Mr. Handyman with over 20 years of results-driven experience in franchise marketing. His unique blend of marketing savvy and leadership qualities make him an invaluable partner in our pursuit of excellence. McLellan joined SBI in December 2002, as Vice President of Marketing, and was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer in 2004. He immediately reorganized the marketing department and managed the hiring of public relations and advertising agencies to spur SBI’s rapid growth. Under McLellan’s leadership, consumer sales for all SBI companies have hit record highs.
Chris Seman, Director of Operations
Chris Seman joined Mr. Handyman as a Regional Service Manager at Mr. Handyman's first Convention in Orlando, Florida. Since then, Seman has proven to be a vital member of the company building strong relationships with owners nationwide and new international partners. Today, he oversees the Operations team, leading our Regional Service Managers in their initial training and on-going support of owners. Seman helped build and execute the rollout and integration of Mr. Handyman’s international presence. He works closely with Todd Recknagel and the Franchise Advisory Council to continually enhance the operating model and growth opportunities of the system. His tremendous grasp of profitability, franchise relations, local sales building tactics and teaching employee management keeps his phone ringing and his schedule full, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Alex Roberts, Vice President of Franchise Development
Alex Roberts serves as Vice President of Franchise Development for Service Brands International (SBI). Roberts joined SBI in 2004 as a franchise development manager. In four years in that role, he recruited over 90 Mr. Handyman franchisees. As Vice President, Roberts is responsible for training and mentoring the SBI franchise development team, improving the sales process, developing lead generation programs and strengthening franchise consultant relationships.
John Eggenberger, Vice President of Training & Corporate Development
John Eggenberger leads, develops and continually improves the franchise training curriculum for Mr. Handyman and the SBI family of companies, including our unique Right Start process and in-depth Home Office sessions. He is also instrumental in building and maintaining vendor partner relationships. Eggenberger has held many key roles during his 15-year tenure, with a focus on operations and training. His enthusiasm, knowledge, organizational and communication skills keep him involved in Mr. Handyman’s new initiatives including pilot tests for enhanced technology, and integrating new programs into Mr. Handyman’s training programs.
Anne Nemer, Director of Marketing
With a strong background in franchising, field marketing and over five years with Mr. Handyman, Anne Nemer brings extensive knowledge and leadership to the Mr. Handyman marketing department. Nemer assists all owners, new and veteran, with their advertising and promotional efforts, and is always available to discuss marketing strategies and best practices. She also supports the commercial business initiative and is instrumental in driving public relations support, placement and awareness at the national and local level for owners and the corporate Home Office. Nemer plays an important role in Mr. Handyman’s presence in international markets, by conducting intensive Home Office and in-country training, and on-going support. Under Anne’s direction, Mr. Handyman has participated in numerous cross-promotional activities including the ESPY Awards, the Oscar Awards presenter gifts, the Oprah Winfrey show and Rachael Ray and was responsible for bringing actor and home improvement guru Richard Karn on as the company’s national spokesperson.
Mike McCarthy, Director of Operations
Mike McCarthy joined the Mr. Handyman operations team as a Regional Service Manager in 2005. Since then, McCarthy has developed many business relationships with the owners he has supported over the years and has built a solid reputation within the Mr. Handyman system. He was then promoted to the Director of Operations and works closely with our team of Business Management Advisors.

Prior to Mr. Handyman, Mike spent 8 years in his family business from startup and was instrumental to the success of the furniture franchise. After several years in retail management, McCarthy most recently spent over 7 years in the staffing industry providing excellent customer service to his clients. With his wide variety of experiences, he brings a valuable skill set to the operations team and is dedicated to building the Mr. Handyman system.
David Eldersveld, Franchise Technical Support Supervisor
David Eldersveld has been with Mr. Handyman for six years, focusing on technical support among other IT developments and initiatives. Eldersveld provides direct franchise support, expertly answering inquiries on Mr. Handyman’s proprietary business software. As technology evolves, he leads the charge for implementing and training owners on these software updates. Eldersveld attends the Home Office week-long initial training and the annual Convention’s Tech Lab for in-person support and also leads interactive webinar sessions and produces print manuals to assist owners remotely.
Gae Miller, Sr. New Business Manager
Gae Miller has spent eight years in the Mr. Handyman Right Start department, training well over 250 businesses during her tenure. Her education and professional background bring a wealth of marketing, advertising experience, along with a penchant for technology. After purchasing a franchise, the Right Start team is the first contact to welcome and integrate brand new owners into the Mr. Handyman system. Working from an extensive checklist, Right Start helps owners do everything from forming corporations, establishing a DBA, locating office space, ordering technician vans and acquiring the necessary insurance coverage. These tasks and more are accomplished through a partnership lasting four to eight weeks over, consisting of six different interactive webinar modules and weekly, scheduled phone calls.
Tonia Bennett, New Business Manager
Tonia Bennett has spent 14 years working for the Home Office in key roles including operations and most recently in Right Start. She brings unique experience to the Mr. Handyman support team having worked as a team member in a franchise organization and then later owning and operating a successful business for several years. This professional background helps answer the many questions and reduce the level of uncertainly among new owners. Bennett’s passion for the entrepreneurial spirit and her superior organization skills greatly help franchisees balance excitement and progress while setting up the foundation of their new businesses. The Right Start team also manages the important logistics during initial training week, including reserving hotel rooms, arranging meals and transportation and being the first to greet every morning, and the last to send new owners off in the afternoon. The commitment to great customer service never ends.
Karen Wenson, Business Management Advisor
Karen Wenson supports new business launches and leads sessions during new owner training classes based in the Home Office. Wenson brings 25 years of management and training experience to her role, and can relate to new franchisees as she and her husband once owned a group of pizza stores on the East Coast. She also works with peer financial groups, allowing similarly-sized businesses to work together and address relevant topics and brainstorm for shared success. Wenson’s contributions also include leading national interactive webinar sessions, sharing Operational expertise throughout the Mr. Handyman system.
Scott Hess, Business Management Advisors
Scott Hess has extensive outside experience in franchise operations, having started and operated his own franchise concept in the past. He uses his background and wealth of home maintenance and repair business knowledge to teach new owners the Mr. Handyman model during training week at the Home Office. Hess’s support for owners continues when he performs an initial field visit shortly after the new business is open, and continues coaching and helping owners achieve profitability throughout their first two years in business.
Ryan Evers, Business Management Advisor
Having previously served as an operations manager for one of our franchise businesses, Ryan Evers already had Mr. Handyman experience when he joined the team as a Regional Service Manager in August of 2006. His background also includes a degree in Construction Management, as well as experience managing teams of contractors as a project manager for a large residential building company. Evers currently works as a Business Management Advisor, supporting established owners who have been in business for more than two years. The combination of his construction experience and his talents in data analysis give him a unique blend of skills which allow him to assist and coach owners on achieving new heights in revenue and profitability.
Megan Webb, Field Marketing Manager
Megan Webb provides direct owner support, beginning in the Right Start process with an initial marketing plan. Webb then provides in-depth, hands-on support to owners during initial training as the 12-month marketing plan is finalized. She has spent four years on Mr. Handyman’s marketing team, and has a rich understanding of print and multimedia marketing strategies. Webb has been instrumental in forming co-ops where neighboring owners pool their advertising budgets for the most efficient spend. She also spends time in the field sharing best practices and providing new tools and solutions for owners’ marketing success.
Brandi Kloostra, Interactive Marketing Manager
Brandi Kloostra serves as the Interactive Marketing Manager leading the website efforts and Internet lead generation tactics. Kloostra comes to Mr. Handyman with over 12 years of impressive experience in both interactive and traditional marketing in both retail and business to business environments. She’s an expert with Google AdWords, search engine marketing, social networking and more. Brandi is in charge of developing state-of-the-art online customer experiences, while using her expertise for monitoring web performance and implementing change in this fast-moving media. She also manages the deployment of innovative technologies (e.g. blogs, podcasts, forums, etc.) to support business objectives, and will support owners with their paid search campaigns through Google, Yahoo and MSN with the help of our agency of record.
Nancy Beskar, Franchise Development Manager
Nancy Beskar knows of what she speaks. “I was a franchisee and area developer for WineStyles, and opened eight stores in three years.” She can empathize with candidates who are investing today in a secure tomorrow. Nancy grew up on a farm where she cultivated an adventurous spirit. “My entire family lives in the upper Midwest, but I’m experiencing southern hospitality in Savannah, Georgia.” Nancy majored in English at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and learned that life is not about ‘I can’t,’ but ‘I can.’ “If you approach life with a good attitude, treat others well, and try to learn something from even your worst experiences, then you are truly living a rich life.” Nancy treasures traveling anywhere that requires a passport, prowling art galleries and museums, and adding to her mobile library.
Anthony Garbacik, Franchise Developement Manager
Anthony Garbacik’s proudest reward is a Mr. Handyman owner calling and declaring, “I love what I’m doing. Thanks for changing my life.” Anthony excels at consultative selling. “I’m here to guide candidates through the process, to ensure they make an educated decision, and to see if Mr. Handyman is the right business, for both of us.” He has helped more than 80 people become Mr. Handyman franchise owners since he joined Service Brands in 2004. Anthony earned a business degree from Michigan State University and is not afraid to wear his school colors around our Ann Arbor office, which is near the University of Michigan campus. “I have friends who did time at Michigan.” He and his wife have three determined boys. If there is any free time, Anthony pays for it on the golf course.
Jen Olson, Franchise Developement Manager
Jen Olson considers listening and coaching her strengths. “I’m not learning if I’m talking. Once I know what candidates are looking for, I can counsel them on how Mr. Handyman can meet their needs.” Jen joined the Service Brands family as a franchise development manager in 2002 as a franchise development manager. She’s been a top performer ever since. “I think what sets us apart is that candidates know we genuinely care, and that they can trust us. We want what’s best for them.” Jen is a Michigan State grad and spent several years honing her sales and marketing skills before finding a home at Service Brands. “This is an exciting place to be: the culture, the people, and the opportunities. It’s all here for our corporate staff and our franchise owners.” Jen and husband, Jordan, have two young boys, and relish comfort foods, red wines, upbeat music, and relaxing travel.