Rick Gretz

Lincoln-way Central High School

Class of 1964

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Rick Gretz - Class of 1964 - Lincoln-way Central High School

First Name	Rick
Last Name	Gretz
Graduation Year	Class of 1964
Gender	Male
Current Location	Lincolnway
Hometown	New Lenox
Relationship Status	Married
About Me	At 25 and returning from a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1969, I became the second franchisee of Liqui-Green Lawn Care Corp., Peoria, Illinois. Our franchise was located and operated in Joliet from 1972 through 1976. During those years as a franchisee of Liqui-Green I was asked to assist in the training and development of other new franchisees in the Chicago area. It was in doing this training and support work that I discovered I enjoyed the role of franchisor more than running my own franchise. In 1977 myself and the late William Fischer founded our own lawn care franchising company, Spring-Green Lawn Care Corp. based in Naperville, Illinois. As co-owner and founder, I served from 1977 through 1985 as senior vice-president and Director of Franchise Training and Support. In the nine years with Spring-Green, we established 100 franchises in 18 states. A belief that developing leadership in franchisees and their people would lead to success was the cornerstone. We were very proud of the franchising and support system developed, boasting no failures or law suits with any of our franchisees. In March 1986, I founded The Signery Corporation, the first of its kind instant sign store franchise featuring a computerized/automated sign making system. The Signery Corporation reached 41 franchises in 10 states, the United Mexican States, and the UK. During the years developing The Signery a great deal of experience was gained in Area Coordinator Development as well as foreign expansion experience in Japan, England, Italy and Mexico. In 1991 Andersen Consulting and Success Magazine ranked The Signery Corporation the 4th best-managed franchise company in the United States. Recent companies benefiting from his counsel include Baseline Engineering, Golden, Colorado, DirectBuild Franchising LLC., Parker, Colorado, and Great Game Coaching LLC., Springfield, MO. I was an original member and pilot in the Lima Lima Flight Team based in Naperville, Illinois and have flown virtually every position in the six-plane formation, finally flying the most challenging "Opposing Solo" position. I have over 2000 hours with a commercial, multi-engine, instrument, glider, and an FAA aerobatic waiver for formation and solo aerobatic flight to the surface. The Lima Lima Flight Team performs before millions of spectators at air show events around the country annually. I the authored a book on achieving Franchise success entitled “Franchising: Getting it Right”. I'm also a professional speaker and are a member of The Great Game of Business Speakers Bureau. I assisted our son-in-law and Daughter, Ryan and Katie, in developing a very successful Blinds, shades, and shutters business, Elevated Views, in Colorado Springs....(read more)