Heidi Ackerman Email & Phone Number

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

- Drafted and approved franchise agreements, renewals, assignments, defaults and terminations. - Improved department efficiency and reduced costs by creating task management system to track all processes performed, providing visibility to department members of status of each transaction, allowing more equal division of daily workload between coordinators.- Led and designed conversion of 5K+ paper files to electronic storage system and implementing electronic signature procedures, decreasing transaction time and costs by eliminating use of mail and paper.- Reduced number of non-compliant franchisees 50% by leading cross-functional team that worked with franchisees, resolving operational and facility issues regarding contract compliance and standards.- Managed intellectual property (IP), ensuring protection of valuable assets, including filing, tracking and protection. Advised marketing and creative team when presented with new IP ideas, performed trademark searches and consulted with outside IP counsel for filing logistics in proper country.- Confirmed correct use of trademarks on all platforms, including print and web, monitoring and pursuing all infringing use of trademarks.- Approved sweepstakes and contest rules, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.- Performed yearly update and filing of Franchise Disclosure Document with all regulated state and Federal Trade Commission, maintaining effective status for continued offer of franchises.- Applied expertise in franchise disclosure and registration filings in accordance with Federal Trade Commission, antitrust and state laws, completing all filing without use of outside counsel.- Oversaw design, upgrade and maintenance of Dynamics CRM. Improved workflow and processes that reduced data redundancy and transaction processing time.

- Drafted and managed franchise contract, assignment, amendment and renewal documents. - Managed reporting and analysis of data, accurately reflecting status of department and company goals. - Provided and verified monthly and quarterly reporting of agreement status and transaction data to key stakeholders, including salon openings, closings, franchise ownership changes and franchisee status changes.- Created reporting on ad hoc basis to executives regarding salon ownership and market status data, used for decision making and forecasting of business operations, growth of franchise markets and elevated situations.

- Coordinated updating and filing of the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular- Processed all documentation for franchise sales, termination and renewals- Managed all legal and litigation matters with outside counsel- Maintained Patent and Trademark registrations including all U.S. and International files

Ba, Political Science

Certificate, Paralegal Certificate