Jerry DeFeo is a seasoned franchise executive with more than 25 years of experience in building and scaling successful franchise systems. As Co-Founder of AUTUMN BRIDGES™, Jerry played a pivotal role in creating the brand’s franchise model and operational foundation.
His franchising career began at Pizza Inn, where he served as Director of Operations and New Store Development. He went on to hold key leader ship positions at Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, Tide Services (a Procter & Gamble brand), and most recently as Vice President of Operations and Development for Honey Baked Ham.
Throughout his career, Jerry has specialized in franchise operations, new unit development, team leadership, and driving profitable growth across multiple brands. His deep expertise in both corporate and franchisee support has helped countless operators launch and scale successful businesses.
Jerry’s hands-on experience and strategic vision continue to guide AUTUMN BRIDGES™ as the company expands its national footprint.
A Certified Franchise Executive with more than 25 years in franchise development, Eric has guided hundreds of prospective franchisees from initial inquiry through signed agreement.
He has personally opened 27 Del Taco units in a single year, helped grow Texas from zero to 22 open restaurants in under four years, and collected over $1 million in franchise fees annually. His range spans QSR, fast casual, and frozen dessert categories.
Coleman brings 10+ years of experience in franchise development and business operations, with a background spanning lead generation, franchisee recruitment, CRM management, and marketing strategy. He has supported franchise development for multiple national brands simultaneously, managing the full pipeline from initial contact through store opening.
With more than 35 years of experience, Jamie brings a proven record of instructional leadership, staff development, and organizational training to AUTUMN BRIDGES™. She has designed, delivered, and implemented impactful training programs for educators, community partners, and business professionals.
Jamie has led workshops, created curriculum initiatives, managed large-scale programs, and developed specialized training in areas such as leadership development, time management, and workforce education. Known for building high-performing teams, implementing innovative learning solutions, and translating best practices into measurable results, Jamie offers the strategic vision, coaching expertise, and operational leadership needed to develop exceptional training programs and foster a culture of continuous learning.
With a career spanning research, higher education, business development, and organizational leadership, Scott brings a unique blend of analytical insight, strategic communication, and relationship-driven leadership to the role of Development Director. He has built a career centered on understanding human behavior, market dynamics, and organizational growth.
As Director of Recruitment for a national recruiting firm, Scott successfully developed business relationships with organizations across the United States, negotiated contracts, built operational systems from the ground up, and trained high-performing teams. Additional experience as a Market Research Analyst has strengthened his expertise in market analysis, consumer psychology, strategic messaging, project management, and data-driven decision-making.
Scott offers the vision, communication skills, brand development expertise, and results-oriented leadership needed to drive market growth, strengthen brand positioning, and create impactful Development initiatives.
Randall Hill is a marketing and creative leader with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations build stronger brands and achieve their business objectives. Known for his strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and collaborative leadership, he has worked with clients across technology, luxury hospitality, senior living, professional sports, financial services, education, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations.
Randall began his career with Eisenberg Inc., a leading strategic design and marketing firm, before spending 11 years at David Carter Design, where he contributed to branding and design projects for national and international clients. As Creative Director for Icon Interactive/Luminant Worldwide, he led creative teams and directed digital branding and interactive media initiatives for global corporations.
For more than two decades, Randall has led Hill Creative Group, partnering with businesses and organizations to develop effective marketing strategies, memorable brand identities, and compelling communications across print, digital, interactive media and environmental signage.
His work has been recognized by many of the industry’s leading organizations and publications, including the Art Directors Club of New York, the Webby Awards, South by Southwest (SXSW), the Telly Awards, Communication Arts, Graphis International Design Annual, HOW, Identity, and Print magazine.