Franchisees win awards from franchise pioneer H&R Block

Winners honored for leading in key growth areas and doing the right thing

Four franchisees stood out from among more than 1,500 franchisees and won recognition from H&R Block, a global consumer tax services provider that virtually created the franchise model in 1956. Winning in four separate categories, the Featured Franchisees of the Year Jesse and Doris Willard, Reynold Alabre, Nury Saenz and Patrick Taft are part of 60 years of tradition of H&R Block.

Winners were selected from among the top 100 franchisees who led in key growth areas, including the number of returning clients, growth in the number of returns prepared, client satisfaction and overall revenue growth. In addition to leading top-performing franchises, a demonstrated commitment to H&R Block’s core value to do the right thing made up half the selection criteria.

“All of our Featured Franchisees of the Year exemplify H&R Block’s ‘called to serve’ spirit,” said Kip Knight, senior vice president of U.S. franchise operations at H&R Block. “Not only do the winners operate tax offices that serve our clients well, they also are active participants in their communities. They all live by H&R Block’s pledge to support the communities we live, work and play in.”

• Jesse and Doris Willard from Hephzibah, Georgia won this year’s rookie category. The Willards completed their first tax season earlier this year as H&R Block franchisees. They are life members of the NAACP and very active in the I Breathe I Rise Foundation, a local non-profit, which is actively engaged in their community on educational and social justice issues.
• Reynold Alabre from Bridgeport, Connecticut, was selected for the one-two office category. Alabre is studying to become an enrolled agent, the IRS’ highest credential for tax preparers. He has led a number of non-profit organizations in his community like Mind is Power and Service for Peace. He also contributes to charities like the Fraternal Order of Police Assistance Fund, Connecticut Food Bank, Bridgeport Public Library, Salvation Army and Bridgeport Public Schools.
• Nury Saenz from Chula Vista, California, was named the featured franchisee in the three-seven office category. Saenz is an enrolled agent and top 100 franchisee for the third year in a row. She has served in various leadership positions with the California Society of Tax Consultants, Fender Center for the Arts and Las Damas de San Diego.
• Patrick Taft of Greenbrier, Arkansas received the honor in the category for franchisees owning eight or more offices. He has been a top 100 franchisee for five of the seven years he has been an H&R Block franchisee. A board member of Make a Child Smile and Soar with Eagles Wings, Taft also is involved in several mission organizations. Each of his offices partner with the Relay for Life in their area.

Honorees were recognized with a commemorative crystal award, monetary award, a letter signed by company co-founder Henry W. Bloch and special accommodations at the National Franchise Convention hotel.

Close to six decades of franchise support

H&R Block opened its first franchise office in 1956, a year after brothers Henry and Richard Bloch founded the company, virtually creating the franchise model. With 60 years of franchising history, H&R Block has created a support system franchisees use to market their business, serve their clients and expand to new offices.

H&R Block franchisees now operate nearly 3,600 H&R Block offices nationally. To learn more about H&R Block franchises, visit https://www.hrblock.com/corporate/tax-franchise or call 1-800-HRBLOCK.

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About H&R Block

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is a global consumer tax services provider. Tax return preparation services are provided by professional tax preparers in approximately 12,000 company-owned and franchise retail tax offices worldwide, and through H&R Block tax software products for the DIY consumer. H&R Block also offers adjacent Tax Plus products and services. In fiscal 2016, H&R Block had annual revenues of over $3 billion with 23.2 million tax returns prepared worldwide. For more information, visit the H&R Block Newsroom at https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/newsroom.