Lauren Johnson Appointed Vice President of Franchise Development for Navis

Lauren Johnson, a rising star with a proven track record for success, has been appointed Vice President of Franchise Development for Navis, a leading commercial packaging and Shipping franchise company with more than 150 locations in the United States and Canada. In her new role, Johnson assumes responsibility of overseeing Navis' aggressive expansion plan, which includes adding 200 locations to the franchise system.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to head up franchise development for Navis, a company prime for expansion," Johnson said. "Strong franchisee support systems are in place and current franchise owners are seeing the rewards of being part of the Navis family. We are ready for significant growth."

Prior to her appointment at Navis, Johnson spent two-plus years at Maui Wowi Hawaiian, the number one Hawaiian coffee and fresh fruit smoothie franchise in the world. She left the company as Vice President of Franchise Development, having increased new unit deals from 49 per year in 2004 to more than 100 deals in 2006 and earning a promotion from manager. Additionally, Johnson spent four years in business development at Cornerstone Processing Alliance and Singer Asset Finance Company, both southern Florida companies.

"Lauren will be a wonderful leader within our organization. She has already demonstrated that in the Franchising industry and we see a natural fit for her at Navis," said Ben Blakeley, President and CEO of Navis. "Her dynamic skill set and strength in closing franchise sales will have a tremendous impact on our growth."

Johnson replaces William Gabbard, the longtime Vice President of Franchise Development at Navis, who has moved on to start JungleQuest, a new franchise concept.

Reporting directly to Blakeley, Johnson plans to grow the Navis Pack & Ship concept through assertive communication with potential franchisees and careful selection of interested entrepreneurs, skills she has honed over the last decade.

Johnson, 36, holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Business from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. She currently resides in Highlands Ranch, Colorado with her husband Sean and son Ethan.

About Navis
Navis serves commercial, industrial and residential customers in highly specialized packaging, transportation and logistics for items that are difficult to ship, such as high-value electronics, machinery, antiques and fine art. Founded in 1980 as a single retail store, the company now operates more than 150 franchised warehouses and retail stores in the United States and Canada and has plans to open more than 200 additional units. Franchisees receive extensive training in handling fragile, large, awkward and valuable goods, which equips them to safely ship almost anything, virtually anywhere in the world.