The International Franchise Association Selected Richard "Dick" Rennick As Entrepreneur Of The Year For 1997

(Saturday, January 10, 1998) - The International Franchise Association selected Richard "Dick" Rennick as Entrepreneur of the Year for 1997 for his continued commitment to the entrepreneurial spirit, demonstration of innovative management skills and bold risk taking in the field of franchising.

With this honor, Dick joined the founders and CEOs of such companies as Mail Boxes, Etc., Applebees International, Duskin Co., Ltd., Uniglobe Travel, Dominos Pizza, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and other international franchising giants. That the IFA would bestow such a high honor is a testament to the Rennick's contribution to franchising and dedication to their franchise team members.

Dick created the leak detection industry, and capitalized this feat with the development of the world's largest network of leak detection specialists. Today, there are 150 offices located in 41 states and 11 countries around the world. Dick grew up in a plumber's family, and was painfully familiar with traditional "bash and crash" methods of leak location.

Like all entrepreneurs, he was determined to find a better way and in 1974 developed American Leak Detection from the money saved from Dick's policeman's paycheck. That early beginning from those meager savings laid the foundation for American Leak Detection's worldwide franchise network, which began with the sale of the first franchise in 1984.

He has led the firm's R&D efforts to refine, improve and supplement the company's arsenal of radio, audio, digital correlation and video camera technology. Always responsive to the needs and interests of his franchise "TEAM" of Leak Specialists, he is constantly seeking new ways to apply and extend American Leak Detection services, applying lessons learned in both foreign and domestic markets.

Dick has been recognized in national and international media for the high level of support provided to the American Leak Detection Team. American Leak Detection support begins with intensive and personally focused initial training and continues through to the development of customized marketing and business plans. Dick has been a pioneer in the area of franchise relations, being one of the first franchisors to pay a share of the franchise advisory council's legal fees to review American Leak Detection documents. This continuing dedication earned him the 1998 "Franchisor of the Year" award from the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers. This group also presented American Leak Detection with its 1999 Fair Franchising Seal.

In the community, he has also been recognized for sponsoring scholarship programs for non-traditional students and for founding the Franchise Emergency Action Team (FEAT), an organization that mobilizes the vast resources of the franchise community in times of natural disasters or emergencies.

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