Leadership Team
Mike Marcantonio
Chief Executive Officer
CEO since 2011, Mike Marcantonio became an investor in the company in 2000 with others on the management team. In 2006, he expanded his role by becoming Chief Strategy Officer. His entrepreneurial spirit and success-driven attitude has been instrumental in planning the future of the company and positioning it as a driving force in the visual communications industry today. He has spearheaded growth strategies through acquisitions and company restructuring, paving the way for growth. Marcantonio’s franchising experience began at Domino’s Pizza, Inc. in Ann Arbor, MI where he served as Vice President of Tax.
Ray Palmer, Jr.
Chief Operating Officer
Ray Palmer was named COO in 2023 to provide executive oversight for all Alliance Franchise Brands across the sign, print and direct mail industries. As President, CEO and Co-founder of Palmer Vohrer Enterprises, Palmer had been a multi-unit Signs By Tomorrow franchise owner for more than 10 years. He served as a member and chairperson of Signs By Tomorrow’s Franchise Advisory Council on which he played a key role in developing a national website for the firm and establishing an advertising fund for franchise members. Palmer holds both an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in business from Johns Hopkins University.
Mike Cline
Chief Development Officer
With over 20 years of franchise experience in the print and sign industry, Mike Cline has a wealth of knowledge with unmatched dedication and passion. As Alliance Franchise Brands Chief Development Officer, Cline is an active participant in directing strategic decisions toward the company’s overall vision and growth. He oversees the Franchise Development Team, promoting system growth via new Center placement and acquisition, maintaining third-party broker relationships and assisting Franchise Members with exit strategy. Cline has a deep understanding of all facets of the industry and truly understands the joy of creating profitable and fruitful businesses.
Arthur Pike
President RSVP
Arthur has a deep professional background and proven track record in sales and marketing and corporate leadership. Having had previous roles managing sales organizations with start-ups to private and publicly traded multi-national companies, Arthur excelled in market and sales development.
Arthur is the former owner of Image360 Lynchburg, VA. Having been a franchise owner with direct experience in a sales-driven, client-focused business gives him real-world insights into our Core Focus and what drives success for RSVP Members.
Dori Bennett
Executive Consultant
Dori Bennett joined Alliance Franchise Brands in 2011 and is currently the Vice-President of RSVP, focusing on Sales and Training. With a background in sales strategy and marketing, she has spent her career in diverse roles across industries like advertising, direct mail, and interactive start-ups. Instrumental in launching an award-winning online yellow pages site, Bennett also led the global deployment of a B2B portal for the automotive industry. Her 30-year career features key leadership roles in aligning sales and marketing efforts with company objectives to maximize success. Bennett holds an MBA from Wayne State University and a Bachelor’s from Eastern Michigan University.
Burke Cueny
Executive Vice President Marketing
Burke Cueny was named Executive Vice President Marketing in 2023. Cueny joined Alliance Franchise Brands in 2015 and oversees the Marketing support team, focusing on lead generation for Franchise Members and brand development. Prior to joining the company, Cueny founded and ran a marketing firm for over a decade that concentrated on building brands and growing sales for franchise companies and other multi-location businesses. His background also includes marketing leadership roles with Domino’s Pizza, Rite Aid and The Stroh Brewery Company. Cueny has an Advertising undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from Central Michigan University.
Jessica Eng
Executive Vice President Business Development
Jessica Eng is a passionate marketing, communications, and business professional who loves helping small businesses drive results – and leading and mentoring others. She has over 20 years of franchise marketing and sales experience and helps develop the company’s strategic vision and direction as a key member of the management team. As the Executive Vice President of Business Development, she leads the business development and sales support team, as well as Franchise Member communications. She understands the need to align sales and marketing with a strong focus on the customer experience, while increasing sales through strategic product diversification. Eng has her MBA in Marketing Management and loves sharing her enthusiasm for franchising, marketing, and solutions-based sales through educational speaking engagements at local and national events.
Mike Dye
Vice President Member Resources & Supplier Relations
Mike Dye manages a team that promotes the growth and profitability of Franchise Members within the Marketing & Print Division. He joined the company in 1985 and has attained positions in business education, financial management, coaching and consultation, and workflow and project management during his tenure. Dye began his Alliance Franchise Brands career as a printing instructor, later becoming Director of Training before transitioning to Regional Operations Manager. In 2016, his role expanded to Senior Regional Operations Director, assuming leadership of the Regional Support Team, finally becoming VP of Franchise Member Support and taking on supplier relations.
Steve Hoyle
Vice President Training
As Vice President of Training, Steve Hoyle oversees new Franchise Member training programs for all the Sign & Graphics and Marketing & Print brands. Formerly, in the Sign & Graphics Division, Hoyle was the VP of Franchise Operations, Senior Director of Franchise Services and the Director of Training since 1995. Prior to that, Hoyle ran three separate company Centers beginning in 1989 when he graduated with a degree in Advertising & Design from the University of Maryland.
Chris Miller
Senior RightStart Manager
Chris Miller is a dedicated member of the Alliance Franchise Brands team, bringing years of experience in the industry to his role as Senior RightStart Manager. Miller’s journey with the company began at the Signs By Tomorrow Owings Mills Center, where he spent four years before joining the home office in 2014 as a Field Support Representative. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the RightStart Manager in 2017 and then moving into his current role as SR. RightStart Manager. In this position, Miller oversees the RightStart program, which is responsible for onboarding new Franchise Members from Opening Training to Center opening and beyond for three years. His expertise and passion for the industry make him an invaluable asset to the Alliance Franchise Brands team.