Mission Statement  :  About J.D. Byrider  :  Our Founder's Vision  :  J.D. Byrider Foundation  :  CNAC : FAQ : Contact JD Byrider

Steven E. Wedding
         Chief Executive Officer

Steve has been with J.D. Byrider since 1991. Steve has previously served as controller, vice president of finance and vice president of franchise operations. He was named chief financial officer in 2003 and president of franchising in 2006.

Steve, who is a CPA, is a graduate of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee and received an MBA from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Bill Brunner
         Chief Financial Officer

A 25-year veteran of the banking industry, Brunner most recently served as CFO, executive vice president and treasurer of First Indiana Corporation, as well as the CFO and executive vice president of First Indiana Bank N.A. He was also chairman of the bank’s asset/liability committee. Prior to that position, he served as senior vice president and director of capital and asset/liability management at Citizens Financial Group; CFO of treasury management at Banc One Corporation; and in various financial positions at Star Bank Corporation, Wachovia Corporation and Bank South Corporation.

Brunner is board chairman of Indianapolis-based Children’s Bureau, Inc. and serves as treasurer for the Indianapolis chapter of Financial Executives International. He is a past chairman of the American Banker Association’s accounting committee. Brunner is a previous graduate instructor of securities analysis at Northern Kentucky University’s Haile/US Bank College of Business and an instructor of accounting and economics for the American Institute of Banking. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from St. Cloud State University and earned his master’s of business administration from Georgia State University.

Rob Palmer
         Chief Operating Officer

Prior to opening and operating five J.D. Byrider franchise locations, Rob Palmer was a management and financial consultant for multiple businesses. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Indiana University and his MBA in entrepreneurial management from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. An eight time J.D. Byrider Franchise of the Year award winner and member of our Franchise Hall of Fame, Palmer also served as president of the board of directors for J.D. Byrider’s National Dealers Association and was an active board member of the J.D. Byrider Advertising Group, Inc.

James R. England
         President, J.D. Byrider Advertising Group, Inc.

A graduate of The Ohio State University, Jim has spent his career as an advertising and marketing professional, and has been with J.D. Byrider since 1999. He has held executive positions with Federated Department Stores and ITT, in addition to being Executive Vice President & Partner in several very successful advertising agencies.

Jim also serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association in Indianapolis. He was Chairman of the Indianapolis Start! Heart Walk in 2009 and 2010. Jim also served as President of the Advertising Club of Indianapolis, a part of the American Advertising Federation.

Jeffrey B. Higgins
         Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary

Jeff has been with J.D. Byrider since 1991. He is a member of the American Bar Association and Indianapolis Bar Association.

A 1984 graduate of Denison University in Granville, Ohio, Jeff earned his J.D. from the Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington, in 1987.

Michael Maenhout
         Chief Information Officer

Mike, who has been with J.D. Byrider since 2000, pioneered the creation of our proprietary and unparalleled Discover(TM) operating and accounting system. He has over 25 years of experience in information technology management with leading companies such as Indiana Insurance, ING Insurance and Banking, and Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Brad N. Malott
         Vice President, Controller, Treasurer

An executive of J.D. Byrider since 1994, Brad has been in his current positions since 1999. He holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Ball State University.

Mike Pearce
         Vice President, Franchise Development

A 22-year veteran of the franchising industry, Pearce has served a variety of franchised brands with responsibilities encompassing franchise sales, real estate site selection, construction and finance. His positions have included Vice President Franchise Development for Dominos Pizza, Del Taco, Captain D's Seafood, Back Yard Burgers and Sr. Vice President Development for BD's Mongolian Grill. Pearce has helped franchisees develop units both domestically and internationally.

Pearce has spoken at numerous industry events on how to effectively and rapidly develop franchise systems. Pearce is a former commercial property developer providing development services to franchisees of numerous brands. He holds a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Real Estate Finance and Development from Southern Methodist University.

Tom Welter
         Vice President, Franchising

A 25 year veteran in multi unit leadership, Welter most recently served on the Executive Team and SVP of Operations of 24 Hour Fitness. Prior to that position, he served as Vice President of Business Logistics at KB Home, and in various senior leadership positions at Pepsico [PEP], YUM Brands [YUM], and Avis Rent a Car [CAR].

Welter is considered an industry expert in multi unit management process and has written numerous articles on the topics of unit level productivity and profitability, people capability and capacity, developmental leadership and the people continuum.

Welter is a member of the National Football League Alumni Association [NFL Alumni], NFL Charities and is active in the Indianapolis chapter. He received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska in 1988, where he graduated with honors as a COSIDA academic all American coached by Hall of Fame coach, Dr. Tom Osborne.

Bryan Hohne
         Vice President, Talent and Development

Prior to joining JD Byrider in the fall of 2011, Bryan worked in various Field and HR Leadership roles with Kohl's and JCPenney. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Marketing at Michigan State University. Bryan has also served as a Big Brother for the United Way and as Treasurer and Board member of the Frisco Amateur Summer Swim Team (A non-profit). Bryan is also a member of The Indianapolis SHRM chapter and is very involved with the Knights of Columbus.

James F. DeVoe Jr.
         Member of Board of Directors

Jim earned a degree in business management from Indiana University School of Business, Bloomington, in 1992. Jim also attended Northwood Institute in Midland, Michigan, where he received an associate of arts degree in automotive marketing in 1989.