EGS LLC

The EGS Principals

Our 5 Principals have 100+ experience years in 62 countries, across many business sectors and cultures, as operating executives.

William Edwards, President of EGS
A senior Executive with 37 years of international operations, development, executive and entrepreneurial experience, Mr. Edwards has lived in China, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Turkey and the USA. He has directed projects on-site in Alaska, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Near East and worked on projects in over 60 countries.

From 1990-2001, Mr. Edwards worked with the AlphaGraphics global digital print group as a master franchisee in China and Eastern Europe and also as the company’s USA-based Senior International Executive growing the company’s global network from 4 countries in the early 1990s to 24 countries.

Mr. Edwards is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), a Member of the ICFE Board of Governors as well as the International Committee, the Research Committee and the Supplier Forum of the International Franchise Association. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the International Institute of Franchise Education at NOVA Southeastern University.

Prior to his licensing and consulting career, Mr. Edwards had a 20-year oil and gas sector career with Atlantic Richfield and Ashland Oil while living in China, Iran, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Turkey and the US. Read more about William Edwards.

Robert Shaw, Chief Development Officer
Robert G. Shaw, Certified Franchise Executive, has over 25 years of experience in international and U.S. business development. His experience includes business-to-business and business-to-consumer market segments and spans both retail and non-retail businesses with publicly traded and privately owned firms. His expertise encompasses strategic planning and tactical execution, from initial market selection to building successful, global businesses.

As Managing Director, Mr. Shaw has helped a number of EGS clients enter new international markets around the world in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. While doing so, he has been a featured speaker in recent franchise conferences in countries such as the UK, Germany, Malaysia and Japan.

As a senior international corporate executive for leading franchise brands, Mr. Shaw engineered and led the development of $100 million international businesses, 600 international retail locations, franchised operations in over 50 countries as well as the development of corporate regional headquarters in Amsterdam, Singapore and Tokyo.

His international franchise expertise helped companies earn prestigious recognition such as Fortune magazine's 100 Fastest Growing Companies, Forbes magazine’s 200 Best Small Companies, Business Week's 100 Hot Growth Companies and Entrepreneur International magazine’s number one international business services franchise. Read more about Robert Shaw.

	William Gabbard, Senior Director William started his own company immediately after college. Two years later he began franchising his concept and by 1996 he had a total of over 800 units operating in 26 countries around the world. Following the sale of his company owned and franchise system, William began consulting as the CEO/President of a publicly traded firm in the International and Domestic management of established franchise operations. Subsequently, William took a position as the Vice President of Domestic/International franchise operations for an established 20-year-old franchise chain starting a new concept and awarded over 100 franchise territories within 4 years. In 2004, William identified an entrepreneurial 14-year-old small concept in the children sector and partnered with two other well-known franchise experts to acquire and grow this concept through franchising. In 2008, the International Franchise Association awarded this franchise system “The Rocky Mountain Excellence in Franchising” award for “Best New Concept”. William has assisted franchise systems from the QSR and casual dining sectors to service franchisors in the packaging, logistics, children’s learning, and mobile operations to business to business, to business to consumers. This effort led to the awarding over 40 master licenses for numerous franchise firms around the world. Read more about William Gabbard.
	Michelle McClurg, Director of Operations Michelle McClurg brings more than 40 years of corporate management experience to the EGS team. Her background includes 30 years with AT&T with an emphasis on new initiatives, process improvements and cost reductions. Ms. McClurg has provided project management leadership for several Fortune 100 companies including IBM, AT&T and Hewlett-Packard. She has successfully directed global projects in more than 31 countries, setting new standards in client satisfaction. Ms. McClurg has worked with several franchisors in their development and operations efforts. As the Director of Franchise Relations, Ms. McClurg planned and facilitated franchise training programs and domestic and international Discovery Days. She has managed the successful openings of multiple new franchise locations, including planning, budgeting, loan acquisition, construction, equipment and décor. Additionally Ms. McClurg was responsible for the design, development, and delivery of procedures, processes, forecasting and tracking the Franchise Resale Program and International Franchise Development Program. She has successfully executed multiple concurrent global projects and has received numerous awards and accolades from companies and customers alike. Ms. McClurg has been the recipient of five National Excellence Awards for sales, client satisfaction, process improvements and cost initiatives in addition to regional and local commendations and awards. Ms. McClurg has been a licensed real estate broker in the State of Colorado for more than 10 years. She is a member of the National Realtor Association, the Colorado Realtor Association and local real estate organizations. Read more about Michelle McClurg.
	Ursula F. Aleixo, Senior Director – Latin America With more than 18 years experience in US Franchise Operations, Ms. Aleixo now resides in her native country Brazil. Her strong local business connections and successful international experience in operations, global sourcing, training, and field support are valuable resources for EGS Clients. Ms. Aleixo brings strong business acumen in driving revenue and profitable franchise growth to provide assistance in international Master Franchise Candidate selection, start-up and operations. Skilled in multicultural business relation development, global business expansion, territory management, and franchise center sales growth, Ms. Aleixo is fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and Italian. Ms. Aleixo has a track record of franchise sector success in (1) Cost reduction, (2) Successful conflict resolution negotiations within foreign markets (3) Same-center sales growth, (4) Forging strong relations with US franchise members to provide crucial mentorship and business analysis, (5) Increase in productivity through introduction of new production, design alternatives and employee training initiatives and (6) international business acquisition and agreement negotiations. Ms. Aleixo holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Albertson College of Idaho USA and continues work on an Executive Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Recipient of numerous business awards including multiple Gold Awards for Sales Growth and Silver Award for Operational Excellence, Ms. Aleixo served in multiple roles within Signs Now, a division of Allegra Network LLC, such as International Support Manager, Regional Director, Franchise Support Coordinator, General Manager, and Manager. Read more about Ursula F. Aleixo.
The EGS GlobalTeam™ GlobalTeam™ members are located on the ground in 35 countries. Among our GlobalTeam™ members are experts in licensing, distribution, market research, technology, manufacturing, government relations, legal and other keys areas for international business success. These are highly experienced, successful people that EGS has developed a close working relationship with and whom EGS trusts to help and represent our Clients. EGS also has a special relationship with the U.S. Commercial Service around the world that allows our Clients access to cost effective, shared marketing services.