Authority Brands Welcomes Ryan Bowes as Chief Growth and Transformation Officer
Authority Brands Welcomes Ryan Bowes as Chief Growth and Transformation Officer
In a significant move announced on February 2, 2026, Authority Brands, one of the leading multi-brand home services franchisors in the U.S., appointed Ryan Bowes as its new Chief Growth and Transformation Officer. This decision is set against the backdrop of the company’s recent expansion of its leadership team, which includes the appointments of Jay Caiafa as CEO, Josh Greear as CFO, and Steve Clemente as President and COO of Trade Brands.
Bowes will be joining an executive leadership team focused on driving the next phase of growth across Authority Brands' portfolio, which comprises 15 diverse home service franchise brands, such as One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, and Mister Sparky Electric. His wealth of experience in franchising, real estate, and hospitality spans nearly two decades, during which he has held significant positions at globally recognized brands including IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
Previously, Bowes served as the Chief Investment Officer at FirstKey Homes, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the company as a leader in the single-family rental industry. His academic background includes master's and bachelor's degrees in real estate development and finance from Clemson University, which have equipped him with the knowledge and skills essential for his new responsibilities.
In his new capacity, Bowes aims to spearhead important growth functions within Authority Brands. This includes steering franchise development, optimizing call center operations, and leading BuyMax, the company's procurement platform. Furthermore, he is set to focus on enhancing performance across existing business models and facilitating the integration of mergers and acquisitions to sustain disciplined expansion.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Bowes stated, "Authority Brands has built an impressive business that's scaling with real momentum, and the opportunity now is to accelerate that growth and make it even more disciplined, consistent, and efficient. I am looking forward to collaborating with our franchise owners and team to fortify the systems that drive performance, expand the right way, and keep raising the bar on the support we deliver to the field."
Jay Caiafa, the CEO of Authority Brands, echoed Bowes' sentiments regarding the company's ambitions. "We are building a leadership team that matches the ambition of where we're taking our company, and we're thrilled to have Ryan join that team," he remarked. Caiafa emphasized Bowes’ extensive experience in franchise growth and operational excellence, highlighting that his role would be essential for driving the next chapter of evolution and expansion while ensuring franchisee success remains a priority.
As Bowes officially takes on his role, Authority Brands is positioned strategically for its next growth phase. The company, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, oversees a portfolio of 15 home service franchise brands that collectively generate over $2 billion in annual system sales across more than 2,700 territories operated by over 1,000 franchise owners. Authority Brands is committed to accelerating growth, expanding its market-leading brands, and providing world-class support to empower franchise owners toward success.
In conclusion, the addition of Ryan Bowes to the Authority Brands team signifies a pivotal moment for the company as it embarks on an ambitious journey to fortify its position in the home services sector and foster further growth across its extensive array of franchise brands. With Bowes at the helm of growth and transformation, the company is poised to embark on new ventures and pursue excellence in franchise operations.