Speakers

Ms. Melanie Bergeron
CFE, CEO
Two Men and A Truck® International, Inc., USA

Melanie Bergeron, CFE, is the Chief Executive Officer of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®/INTERNATIONAL, Inc., the largest moving franchise in North America.
 
Bergeron utilizes the benefits of training and strategic planning in all areas of the franchise system. She uses a strong vision, a positive team atmosphere, ongoing support, compassion and commitment to move TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® forward.
 
In addition, Bergeron serves on the International Franchise Association (IFA) Board of Directors. She is chair of the Board of Governors for the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives (ICFA) and is a member of the Women’s Franchise Committee (WFC). She is education chair for the Franchising Network in the Young Presidents Organization; is a member of the Central Michigan University Dean’s Business Advisory Council; serves on the Strategic Advisory Board for Nova Southeastern University; and is an executive board member of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. William Edwards
CFE, CEO
Edwards Global Services, Inc., USA

An Executive with 36 years of successful international operations, development, executive and entrepreneurial experience, Mr. Edwards specializes in identifying, evaluating, planning and implementing projects that grow the business of his Clients outside their home country.

He has lived in China, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Turkey and the USA. He has worked on projects in 62 countries.

He was a master licensee for AlphaGraphics’ print shop in China and Eastern Europe. From 1992-1999 and again in 2000-2001, he was AlphaGraphics, Inc.’s US-based Senior Executive directing the growth of the company’s global network.

Mr. Edwards lectures at universities and conferences around the world on ‘Taking your business global’.

Using 85+ years of Partner global executive experience, expertise, knowledge, professional network and proprietary, trademarked processes; Edwards Global Services, Inc. helps our 25 Franchisor Clients realize the full global potential of their businesses.

Dr. Stanley Lai
Head of Intellectual Property & Technology,
Allen & Gledhill LLP, Singapore

Dr Stanley Lai is Head of Intellectual Property & Technology. Stanley practises corporate and commercial litigation as well as intellectual property and information technology law, with a particular emphasis on e-commerce transactions, telecommunications regulatory compliance, intellectual property and technology litigation, licensing (including open-source licensing), franchising and on-line and off-line enforcement against piracy and counterfeiting. He regularly advises a large group of local and foreign clients on branding strategy, trade mark portfolio management and trade mark dilution and re-branding. He is also well-versed with intellectual property licensing issues that arise in the provision of financial services.  He maintains an active onshore and offshore litigation practice and is a well-known specialist for dispute resolution and management in the fields of trade marks, patents and copyright.  He is the author of many publications concerning intellectual property.

Ms. Adeline Lim
Consultant
StrategiCom, Singapore

Adeline Lim joined StrategiCom as a Research Analyst in May 2007, and became Brand Consultant in 2008. As a consultant, she manages brand strategy projects – aiding clients in their branding journey towards differentiating themselves. Adeline’s client portfolio spans the industries of power generation, smart cards, surfacing technologies to that of language education. Adeline has advised clients in India and Europe, in the areas of perception in particular.

With prior work experience in instructional design, and later in strategic research with the Ministry of Defence Singapore, Adeline’s competency stems from research & analysis methodologies – such as the creation of perception audit frameworks, finding analysis and strategy development.

Adeline continues to enhance her competencies and credentials with the invaluable experience drawn from consulting for her clients. A firm believer of lifelong education, she is also looking to embark on her Masters in Intellectual Property Management.

Mr. Uantchern Loh
Regional Leader, Enterprise Risk Services
Deloitte Asia Pacific, Singapore

Mr Uantchern Loh is the Regional Leader for Deloitte’s Enterprise Risk Services (ERS) practice in Asia Pacific.  He also sits on the ERS Global Executive Committee, which provides leadership to over 10,000 ERS professionals worldwide.  With over 21 years of experience in risk consulting, Uantchern specialises in internal audit services, security and privacy reviews, IT governance, and business process improvement services.  He has led numerous enterprise risk management engagements in Asia Pacific for clients in the banking, government, manufacturing, telecom and transport industries. 

Uantchern has served on the Board of Directors of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (Singapore Chapter) and is currently on the Board of Governors of the Institute of Internal Auditors Singapore.  He also serves on the International Relations Committee of the Institute of Internal Auditors International.

Mr. Adrin Loi
Executive Chairman
Ya Kun International Pte Ltd, Singapore

Adrin took over the business of Ya Kun Kaya Toast in 1998. His key responsibilities were in the business development, product development, marketing & A&P and human resource management. In 2000, he set up Ya Kun Singapore Pte Ltd and became its Managing Director, overseeing the whole food manufacturing facility. He was also integral to the Company's plan for expansion through franchising and in 2001, Ya Kun International Pte Ltd was established. Under his management, the Company has grown from the flagship outlet at Far East Square to 30 outlets in various parts of Singapore, 12 outlets in Indonesia, 3 outlets in South Korea, 5 outlets in Taiwan, 1 outlet in Japan and the Philippines respectively and 1 upcoming outlet in Vietnam. Now, as Executive Chairman of YKI, he is still involved in every aspect of the business.

Adrin is also a Council Member to North East CDC serving in the Community Assistance Towards Self-Reliance and Employment (CARE) Committee.

Mr. Max Ng
Director, Gateway Law Corporation
Singapore

Max Ng is the Managing Director of Gateway Law.  Max is an experienced practitioner in the field of franchising, having acted for both franchisors and franchisees.  Max is in fact, listed as a leading lawyer in Franchising in Legal Who’s Who, as well as in AsiaLaw Leading Lawyers, Asia Pacific Legal 500 and in the inaugural Legal Who’s Who Singapore 2003 (by Asia Legal Business), which is an independent guide to the best legal practitioners in Singapore. 

In addition to franchising, Max’s practice also covers patent and other intellectual property litigation, licensing, technology and telecommunications, media and entertainment law.  He is also the lead author of the book “Intellectual Property”, under the Butterworths Law for Business Series.  Max is also admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya, and as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.

Max now speaks frequently at various forums on legal issues and topics, and occasionally also renders his services by judging at competitions and providing legal guidance pro bono at entrepreneurship forums such as at “Start-up@Singapore”, or at the local educational institutes.

Mr. John R. Reynolds
President, IFA Educational Foundation,
USA

John R. Reynolds is President of the IFA Educational Foundation, a non-profit organization which conducts research and educational programs to expand the awareness of the role of franchising in the free enterprise system.  

Mr. Reynolds has served in various capacities at the International Franchise Association for the past 20 years, as Executive Editor and Associate Publisher of Franchising World magazine, as Vice President of Marketing, and Vice President of Business Development.    In the mid-1990’s, Mr. Reynolds served as staff liaison to the newly formed IFA Franchisee Advisory Council, which spearheaded the inclusion of franchisees as members of IFA. 

Prior to joining IFA, Mr. Reynolds held positions with a number of of non-profit organizations, including Partners of the Americas and the National Association of Regional Councils.   He served as Director of Publications and as a member of the faculty of The American University in the mid-1970’s.

Mr. Reynolds is a member of the American Society of Association Executives.  He is a Certified Association Executive (CAE).    He holds an M.A. degree in Communications from The American University.