Donald Welsh
Mr. Welsh is a business executive with over 30 years of experience across multiple industries with a proven record of accomplishment in both Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial, private equity/venture capital backed companies.
Don’s professional career has included roles as a founding member of FPG Capital, Principal positions in Management Consulting firms; COO of FreedomPay, a payment and loyalty company utilizing contactless payment systems; President and COO of Aspeon Solutions, an IT services-based company that targeted the pharmaceutical, foodservice and retail industries; and a Chief Information Officer of Aramark Corporation, a $13 billon international managed services company serving Fortune 500 clients.
At FPG Capital, signed a co-investment agreement with Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP), a $2.6B private equity firm in St. Louis, MO focused on franchisor acquisitions. Completed a private placement memorandum for a $10M fund, FPG Capital Fund I, LLC as a vehicle for co-investments with TSCP.
At FreedomPay, Don was the key principal on the management team that raised over $20 million from Blue Run Ventures (Nokia) and Goldman Sachs and was the key principal on the Aspeon management team that raised $10 million from Credit Suisse First Boston. At Aramark, Don led the information technology and communications strategy for a $900 million managed services business unit serving over 160 locations with 30,000 employees aligning the business objectives with leading industry applications while integrating new business processes.
Don has been actively involved in the franchise industry for 15 years as a consultant, advisor, and CEO coach. He has served as an Executive Franchise Advisory Board Member, Technology Advisory Board Member, and a member of the System Wide Marketing Executive Committee for leading brands.
Don’s community involvement includes volunteer work for the West Chester Co-Op where he is a board member at large. Don is past board member of a 350 student pre-school at the Church of the Good Samaritan and helped secure funding to completely renovate the facility.
Don has a B.S.B.A. from Villanova University and an MBA in Finance from Widener University.
Donald Tyson
Mr. Tyson brings private equity, mezzanine, franchise finance, banking, leasing, strategy, executive management, and business development experience to the Catalyst Insight Group senior leadership team.
Don’s 30-year career in commercial finance has included employment at large, regional, and start-up banks including PNC Bank, The Bancorp Bank, and Republic Bank in management, underwriting, business development, and compliance.
Don started the SBA lending division at The Bancorp Bank with the primary focus on franchise finance. He engaged with over 30 national franchise brands as a trusted advisor and partner to bring their franchisees predictable financing. He led the effort to be the first institution to provide franchise financing in all 50 states. Don led the business unit to become one of the top 25 SBA lenders in the nation in 6 years with $500 million in small business loans.
Alicia Miller
Ms. Miller brings franchise development, strategy, sales, marketing, executive
management, and operations experience to the Catalyst Insight Group senior leadership team. Alicia’s 25-year career has also included multi-unit franchise ownership and outsourced franchisor leadership. She has worked across Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, as well as venture-backed pre-IPO and mid-market companies. She has extensive experience leading multidisciplinary, international teams through complex change projects, new market entry, growth initiatives, turnarounds, and strategic planning.
Alicia is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and currently serves on the Board of
Governors of the International Franchise Association’s certification and education
program, the ICFE. She was a member of the Sylvan Learning Franchise Owner’s
Association Profitability Planning Board. She is also a monthly columnist for leading
industry publication Franchise Times and has been published by Franchise Business Review and Food Service News. Alicia serves on the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society - North East Region (Ohio, N. Kentucky, West Virginia) and serves on the Board of Directors of Women's Campaign International.
Alicia is a graduate of Smith College, with a BA in Economics and Government, and
earned a Graduate Certificate in Administration and Management from Harvard
University as well as a Graduate Certificate in Franchise Management from Georgetown University. She holds a MS from the University of Maryland, and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Alicia is also National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Directorship Certified™.