Authority Brands has announced two executive appointments to strengthen its leadership team and support continued business growth. The company named Elicia Azali Chief Customer and Marketing Officer and Whitney Woodward Chief People Officer. Both executives will work from Atlanta, Georgia, and bring extensive leadership experience.
Authority Brands ranks among the largest multi-brand home services franchisors in the United States. These appointments reflect its focus on franchise owner success, people development, and customer experience.
Jay Caiafa, Chief Executive Officer of Authority Brands, highlighted the importance of the appointments.
“Authority Brands is a people-serving-people business, and the strength of our leadership team plays an important role in how we support our franchise owners, brands, and team members,” said Jay Caiafa, Chief Executive Officer of Authority Brands. “Elicia has a deep understanding of how to build brands, connect with consumers, and drive growth, while Whitney has extensive experience developing people and helping organizations perform at their best. Together with our broader leadership team and people across the business, they will help us execute our strategy and drive continued success for our franchise owners.”
Elicia Azali to Lead Customer Experience and Marketing
Azali will lead customer experience, brand management, and marketing operations as the Chief Customer and Marketing Officer. She will assist the franchisees in acquiring and retaining customers in their local markets.
In the past, Azali was Chief Marketing Officer for Beazer Homes, where she oversaw national brand management, digital customer experience, analytics, and regional marketing. She was also responsible for communication, public relations, paid media, and content.
Previously, she worked as the Enterprise Chief Marketing Officer for American Family Insurance Group. She has also been a leader in Nationwide Insurance Company and Procter & Gamble.
Azali highlighted the changing ways homeowners discover and select service providers. She also emphasized technology, marketing, data, and AI investments.
“The way homeowners find, choose, and connect with home service providers is changing rapidly, and Authority Brands is embracing that shift by finding new ways to meet customers where they are,” said Elicia Azali, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer of Authority Brands. “Our investments in technology, marketing, data, and AI are giving us the ability to better understand customers, deliver more relevant, personalized experiences, and give our franchise owners the tools to compete and win in their local markets. What excites me most is putting the strength and scale of Authority Brands behind every franchise owner, helping them attract more customers, build lasting relationships, and grow their businesses.”
Azali joined the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement in 2023. Additionally, Ad Age named her to its 40 Under 40 list in 2021. She serves on the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and Morehouse College business division boards.
Whitney Woodward to Lead People Strategy
Woodward will manage talent development, recruiting, organizational effectiveness, rewards, and workplace culture. Woodward has served as Chief People Officer at Employbridge. In this role, Woodward has managed people operations for over 2,000 employees and 350,000 associates on an annual basis.
Prior to this, Woodward was Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at The Aaron’s Company. Woodward managed an employee base of about 10,000 people in this organization. Woodward was also at RaceTrac Petroleum for 20 years as Vice President of Human Resources.
“What drew me to Authority Brands is its understanding that people are at the center of everything the business does. Successful organizations are built on strong teams and a culture where people feel connected to each other, the business, and a shared purpose,” said Whitney Woodward, Chief People Officer of Authority Brands. “I look forward to getting to know our teams, learning from their experiences, and building on the work already underway to foster an environment where people have the support, resources, and opportunities to do their best work and grow professionally.”
Woodward received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. Additionally, Woodward is a holder of a Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University College of Law. Her accolades include being named among the University of Georgia’s 40 Under 40 in 2017. She also received an accolade as the Top Woman in Convenience in 2015.
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News Source: PRNewswire.com
