IFA Names Gordon Logan the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year

International Franchise Association (IFA) named Gordon Logan, Sport Clips Haircuts founder and CEO, the 2016 IFA Entrepreneur of the Year. Sport Clips, which is headquartered in Georgetown, Texas, is the largest franchise dedicated to men’s and boys’ hair care.

First presented in 1982, the Entrepreneur of the Year Award is given annually to a visionary who is willing to take risks and possesses the management skills necessary to create a successful franchising business enterprise. Gordon will receive his award Jan. 31 during the Association’s 57^th Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

“Gordon’s work to consistently develop not only his entrepreneurial business efforts but also those of others demonstrates his role as a model of leadership within the franchise industry,” says IFA Chairman Aziz Hashim, founder and managing partner at NRD Capital. “He has been an integral member of IFA’s growth and success and we applaud him on his well-deserved recognition.”

Before founding Sport Clips in 1993, Gordon owned and operated salons throughout Texas as a franchisee of Command Performance. He realized early on that men and boys usually don’t relish getting a haircut, so he decided to place an emphasis on the experience. Gordon assembled a top management team and orchestrated the Sport Clips concept, which includes innovative haircutting systems, operating procedures and marketing programs designed to capitalize on the men’s and boys’ haircut market. He designed a blueprint that would help Sport Clips experience rapid, yet controlled growth.

Under his leadership, Sport Clips made improvements in human resources, financial status and growth. Sport Clips is the only hair care concept operating in all 50 states, plus five provinces in Canada.

Gordon’s life has always been a blended focus of both business and service. Having the experience as a business owner set him on a path to become a successful leader of a franchise system. Undeniably, however, the leadership qualities he developed over the years are a direct result of his time as an Aircraft Commander in the U.S. Air Force.

In 2015, IFA honored Sport Clips with a Franchising Gives Back Award for its work with the American Red Cross and again in 2016 for its work with Ageless Aviation Dreams. Gordon is an active member of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, and he and his wife received its Philanthropy Award. They have also been recognized for their support of the Boys & Girls Club, and they are major contributors to R.O.C.K., which provides equine therapy for children and veterans.

In addition to philanthropy, Gordon has been an influential member of several organizations in his community and nationwide. Last year, Gordon was honored as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year and he was named the Austin Business Journal Best CEO. He was recently recognized by the chain salon association (ISBN) for his contributions to the hair care industry, receiving their Lifetime Achievement Award.