ESTERO, FL, October 20, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Derek Franchino has been recognized for achievement in small business ownership, enterprise sales, business development, corporate training and workforce development, and sales coaching.

Mr. Franchino's career reflects a steady progression through increasingly responsible roles in enterprise sales, business development and workforce development. Since 2025, he has served as an enterprise account executive at Educate 360, where he manages strategic enterprise accounts, prospects and develops new sales pipelines, supports customer training needs alongside subject matter experts and collaborates with team members on account strategy.

In addition, Mr. Franchino oversees daily operations of a pool maintenance service business, Alotta Pool Service, which he founded in 2023. In this venture, he has prioritized fair compensation for employees, a philosophy that has contributed to strong customer reviews and set a positive example within an industry often known for challenging working conditions.

From 2023 to 2024, Mr. Franchino held the position of Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at PublicRelay, following his tenure as director of enterprise solutions from 2022 to 2023. In these capacities, he contributed to the company's growth by focusing on business development strategies tailored to large organizations.

Prior to joining PublicRelay, he built a distinguished eight-year career at Gartner, beginning as an Account Manager for Midsize Enterprise IT leaders from 2014 to 2017. He then advanced to Business Development Manager for Midsize Enterprise IT leaders in 2018 before taking on the role of Business Development Manager for Large Enterprise Sales Leaders from 2019 to 2022. During his time at Gartner, Mr. Franchino earned multiple Winners Circle (President's Club) awards and served on the Culture Committee Leadership Team in 2017.

Earlier in his professional journey, Mr. Franchino served as Marketing Manager at InnoTek Computer Consulting in Pennsylvania from 2013 to 2014 after starting as an intern helping develop the company's sales and marketing department in 2013. He credits his first boss, Fred Reck, President and Chief Executive Officer of InnoTek Computer Consulting, with encouraging him to design the life he wanted and live himself into it — advice that continues to influence him today. This internship evolved into a full-time role as Sales and Marketing Manager, providing formative lessons about giving more than taking in professional relationships.

Mr. Franchino's expertise extends into academia. From 2018 to 2022, he served as an inaugural advisory board member for the Professional Sales Program at Bloomsburg University's Zeigler College of Business. His involvement began as a student, when Dr. Monica Favia introduced him to a sales class that led to his semi-finalist placement at the International Collegiate Sales Competition. He later worked with Dr. Favia to help establish Pennsylvania's first Professional Sales Major, one of only 35 such programs nationwide at the time, and mentored students in person and remotely during his board tenure.

In addition to his advisory board service, Mr. Franchino acted as Vice President and Officer on the homeowners association board for Hammock Cove in Florida from 2019 to 2020. Earlier leadership experiences include serving as Refounding President of Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity's Omicron Chi Phi Chapter at Bloomsburg University from 2013 to 2014 while working as a sales representative for Elite Security Services in Texas in 2012.

Mr. Franchino earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg in Pennsylvania in 2014. His academic journey included active participation in campus organizations such as Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity and Phi Beta Lambda. He has continued his professional development through certifications including Challenger Selling from Gartner in 2018, ValueSelling Certified from ValueSelling Associates Inc. in 2014 and Effective Prospecting from Gartner in 2014.

Reflecting on his career, Mr. Franchino attributes much of his success to the support of mentors who believed in him throughout his upbringing and education, including his parents, godmother, high school coaches and college mentors who provided opportunities that shaped his work ethic and outlook on life. The values instilled by his family — particularly his father's emphasis on putting "first things first" — have guided his approach both personally and professionally.

Mr. Franchino's civic involvement includes serving on the Culture Committee Leadership Team at Gartner and volunteering with Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity between 2011 and 2014. Among his honors are the Greek Most Improved Organization Award with Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity in 2014; recognition as a Sweet Sixteen semi-finalist at the International Collegiate Sales Competition; finalist status at the National Collegiate Sales Competition; and multiple Winners Circle awards at Gartner.

Outside his professional commitments, Mr. Franchino enjoys volunteering at his son's elementary school, building projects with his son in their garage, listening to vinyl records and managing a small real estate portfolio. His wife recently returned to her career after several years as a full-time caregiver for their children following her own tenure at Gartner; she is enthusiastic about resuming her professional pursuits now that both children are enrolled in kindergarten and daycare.

The family has been personally affected by type one diabetes, motivating Mr. Franchino's support for JDRF through donations and plans for increased involvement with local events as the organization expands its presence in southwest Florida. With roots tracing back to northern and southern Italy on his father's side, Mr. Franchino values heritage while looking ahead toward continued growth. He aims to advance into people leadership roles at Educate 360, expand their pool maintenance business while upholding employee-centered values, deepen engagement with local schools and further develop their real estate investments alongside his wife and children.

Above all, Mr. Franchino is committed to being a good father. Hardworking and glass-half-full perspective, he perseveres and genuinely wants to give back. As a child, he received many meals and presents at his local firehouse around Christmas time, and he hopes to offer that same kind of support to others today.

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