Brandon Lewis, B.S., M.B.A.
Founder
Brandon Lewis started and grew his painting business to over $1 Million in sales and 20 employees during the worst recession since the Great Depression. He went on to sell his business for a significant profit in a still struggling economy.
Lewis applies the marketing knowledge he has gained as a political consultant to U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, State/Local Officials, and Caucuses to the painting industry, specifically as it relates to marketing of repaint services.
With a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Magna Cum Laude, and a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, Brandon Lewis has the academic credentials to back up his real world experience.
An author and speaker – consummate reader of business books and a confessed audiobook addict – Brandon has a wealth of knowledge on marketing, advertising, operations, sales, and entrepreneurial leadership subject matter in the painting field.
Over 15 years of intense study pertaining to small business marketing gives him a unique insight into what works and what doesn’t when theory meets cold-hard reality for painters.
Tara Riley
COO and Scaling Specialist
The newest member of the team, Tara joined the Academy for Professional Painting Contractors as Chief Operating Officer and Scaling Specialist in October of this year. With over 35 years of executive management, business coaching, and operations experience in franchising, including over 15 years in the Painting and Home Services Industries, Tara’s greatest success lies in creating profitable growth for business owners at every stop in her career. In her most recent role as President of Fresh Coat Painters, Tara helped to triple franchise average unit volume and nearly quadruple total revenues in just under ten years. Now she is excited to take that experience and team up with Brandon Lewis to provide Franchise-quality coaching and tools to the members of APPC.
Prior to her experience with Fresh Coat, Tara lead teams in a variety of business models including home improvement, personal services, and restaurants. Her broad experience working within global franchise icons such as McDonald’s as well as in much younger high-growth brands, including Sport Clips, NHance Wood Renewal and Comfort Keepers has provided her with an arsenal of creative ideas for growth and scaling.
Also experienced as a business owner, Tara understands the challenges and fears business owners face and has a passion for helping business owners push through to success in scaling.
This experience is instrumental in Tara’s quest to help APPC members on a continued path of growth, increased profits and improved quality of life for their families.
Tara holds a B.B.A in Management from Texas A&M University, an M.B.A. in Finance from Kennesaw State University (Georgia) and is a Certified Franchise Executive. In her free time, Tara volunteers with St Vincent de Paul and loves cooking, golfing, and touring back roads on her motorcycle with her best friend and companion, Steve.
Tom Tucker
Business Coach
Tom Tucker has nearly 50 years of executive management experience in the retail and service industry, including 10 years in the insurance and real estate sectors. Most recently, prior to joining the Academy for Professional Painters, he served as Vice President of Operations and Training at Fresh Coat Painters for seven years. In this role, he led a team of business coaches responsible for onboarding new franchise owners and providing ongoing coaching and support to all company franchise owners. Under his leadership, the Fresh Coat system saw a significant and profitable growth in revenue, increasing from approximately $23 million to $70 million.
Throughout his career, Tom has developed extensive experience working with businesses of all sizes, from startups to medium-sized enterprises to large-scale operations. He specializes in helping owners implement systems and processes that build and retain high-performing teams, thereby maximizing business profitability.
Tom holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. He is also a proud U.S. Army Veteran.
His previous employers include Fresh Coat Painters, Yum! Brands Inc., Realty Executives International, REMAX, UnitedHealthcare, and PepsiCo.
In his personal time, Tom enjoys cooking and traveling with his wife of 50 years, Carol. He is also a proud father of two sons and has a strong passion for following NASCAR and Dallas Cowboys football.
John Schofield
Digital Marketing Manager
John brings over 15 years of digital marketing expertise to the Web Services division of the Academy for Professional Painting Contractors. A born-and-raised New Yorker with a no-nonsense work ethic, John’s impressive background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Advertising and a Master’s Degree in Education. His career journey led him to master the art of SEO, working with Fortune 500 companies and some of New York’s largest internet agencies. A die-hard Yankees fan (bleeding pinstripes and all), John’s drive and determination make him an invaluable asset to APPC, where he not only boosts clients' online presence but also takes the time to demystify SEO with clear, insightful reporting.
John helps our members generate leads organically, improve their web presence, and increase estimate requests through tailored web development, SEO, and social media strategies. His ability to produce measurable, traceable results ensures that professional painters have the tools they need to thrive in a competitive digital landscape. With John in their corner, our clients gain more than just a marketing expert—they gain a partner invested in their long-term success.
Jennifer Berger
Enrollment Advisor and Executive Assistant
With nearly a decade of dedicated service at The Academy for Professional Painting Contractors, Jennifer is an essential part of the organization, driving member growth and development with her expertise and genuine care. Her 20+ years of experience in customer service and support have made her a trusted resource for both clients and colleagues. Jennifer’s ability to listen, problem-solve, and provide tailored solutions ensures that every client feels valued and supported.
Outside of her professional life, Jennifer is a devoted wife and proud mother of three grown children. She enjoys traveling and exploring new places, embracing opportunities to experience different cultures and broaden her horizons. Her compassion, expertise, and dedication make her an invaluable asset to the company and a source of inspiration to those around her.
Kristin Lewis
Membership Support and Executive Assistant
Kristin brings a deep understanding of the accounting, reporting, and customer relations aspects of running a successful painting company. Her expertise ranges from post-production profitability analysis to optimizing estimate schedules, ensuring that office operations run smoothly and efficiently. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for helping others succeed, Kristin excels at reducing the stress often associated with managing high-volume repaint operations, making her an invaluable resource for our members.
Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Communications, Kristin also empowers members to strengthen relationships with past customers. She teaches proven strategies to increase repeat business and generate referrals, ultimately lowering the average cost of each sale. Her compassionate approach and commitment to client success make her an indispensable part of The Academy for Professional Painting Contractors, where she helps businesses thrive through both operational excellence and thoughtful communication.
