Executive Biography: Skip Barrett Director of Franchise Development

Skip has more then 25 years in both business to business and business to consumer sales and franchising.

In 2000 Skip co-founded GarageTek the world’s first garage remodeling franchise where he was instrumental in all aspects of the start-up including: business model conception, raising venture capital, creating sales training procedures, marketing strategies, franchisee recruitment, and awarding of franchises. Skip helped guide GarageTek through several stages of growth and was responsible for awarding hundreds of domestic franchises and negotiated international development licenses in five countries, including Russia and South Africa.

Skip brings a wealth of franchising experience to WDL and a commitment to franchisee satisfaction and financial success. Away from work Skip enjoys flying with his son, sports car racing, reading and spending time with his wife of 25 years Joanne and his daughter Katy, and the family’s four retrievers.

Executive Biography: Thomas E. Darrow CEO of Operating Company

Tom has always excelled in the service industry. Both his commitment to his clients and his attention to detail have been the backbone for his companies since the very beginning.

Born and raised in Ridgefield, CT, Tom quickly entered the business world starting a lawn service. Tom grew the lawn service, which he ultimately sold, to concentrate on the landscaping and irrigation division. The company, Pinnacle Landscaping, Inc., with headquarters in Ridgefield, is a leader in the turf industry and manages large scale landscaping and irrigation projects from Nantucket, MA to Heathrow, FL.

Tom's latest venture, with long time friends and business associates Chris Couri and Dan Rella, reinforces his commitment to the service industry. Residing in Ridgefield with his Girlfriend Jacqueline, Tom fills his down time with golf, drag racing and mountain biking.