Working Together & Strengthening Relationships

Valerie Daniels-Carter
President and CEO

John Daniels Jr.
Chairman of the Board

John Draper
President of Operations

James O. Bradley
VP of Development and Physical Plant Management

Tony Weiss
Corporate Controller

Calvin L. Scott
Vice President of Administration/Legal Counsel

Valerie Daniels Carter - President and Chief Executive Officer

Mrs. Valerie Daniels-Carter, along with her brother John started V & J Foods with a single Burger King restaurant in 1982. Within sixteen years, she nurtured the company into a 137-unit, multi-brand operation. First and foremost Mrs. Daniels-Carter is a God fearing woman. Her key beliefs include an insistence on: integrity, recognition, accountability, responsibility, respect, communication, commitment to excellence and passion. Mrs. Daniels- Carter has a hands-on approach. She focuses on the performance of each and every unit so that all are achieving positive results. Her corporate philosophy is “YATSE”: You are the Standard of Excellence. Mrs. Daniels-Carter laid the foundation for her successful career at Lincoln University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She later earned a Master’s of Science degree in Management from Cardinal Stritch University. Valerie Daniels-Carter is one of the best known fast-food operators in the United States.

In addition to owning and running successfully brands for two of the largest fast-food operations in the United States, she has teamed up with one of NBA’s most famous and valuable players, Shaquille O’Neal, to expand the horizons of Auntie Anne’s famous Pretzels. VJ & O’Neal Enterprises, LLC was established in 2006 by V&J and O’Neal Franchise. VJ & O’ Neal rolled out its first Auntie Anne’s soft Pretzel Corporation into the Eastland Mall in Harper Wood, MI. The next location will open in Saginaw, MI at the Fashion Square Mall. By next year VJ & O’Neal Enterprises, LLC will have opened thirty new Auntie Anne’s locations nationally.

Valerie Daniels-Carter has been widely recognized for her business judgment, having served on financial and corporate boards, and have led civic and business organizations. She is recognized by Essence Magazine as one of the 50 most admired African-Americans in the United States, joining the company of Oprah Winfrey and Colin Powell.

She began her career with First Wisconsin National Bank (now USbank) as a retail and commercial lender. She later accepted a position as an auditor for MGIC Investment Corporation in the financial underwriting division. Mrs. Daniels-Carter currently serves on numerous boards and committees. She has served as the President of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.; President of the Minority Franchise Association of Burger King Corporation; Executive Board Member of the National Franchisee Association; Board Member of Firstar Bank; Auto Club Group, AAA of Michigan and Wisconsin. She is actively involved with her church both locally and nationally.

In addition to her being featured in several national magazines and publications, in 2006, Mrs. Daniels-Carter received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letter from Cardinal Stritch University. She has been awarded a number of distinguishing honors including the Business Woman of the Year (2006) Frazier Network; Northwood University, Distinguished Business Leader Award; Trailblazer Award from North Milwaukee State Bank; Entrepreneurial Spirit Award presented at the Multicultural Prism Awards; Essence magazine’s Top 10 Black Female Entrepreneurs; Black Enterprise magazine’s Women of the B.E. 100; The Heritage Award from Spiritual Perspective; and the Business Award given by the National Rainbow Coalition. Her company, V & J has received awards such as the Top 500 Women-Owned Businesses (Working Woman Magazine); Top 200 Restaurants in the U.S. (Restaurant Finance Monitor); and numerous

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John Daniels - Chairman of the Board

Married (Irma Hall) and two children,
John III and Inez

Professional Experience
John Daniels has been the chairman of Quarles & Brady LLP since 2007. In his position, he has led the Firm through a fundamental transformation, shifting from the traditional operational model upon which most major law firms are built to a client-centric, business-minded organization. Mr. Daniels has driven this fundamental cultural shift in the midst of the worst economy in decades, leading to significant growth while most of the legal industry has declined.

Mr. Daniels is well recognized in the legal community as well as the business community. He is listed in The Business Journal of Milwaukee “Power Book” (2009 & 2010), was named 2009 “Lawyer of the Year” by the Milwaukee Bar Association, received the 2008 “Leadership Award” from the National Bar Association, and was identified as one of the “100 Managing Partners You Need to Know” by Lawdragon in 2008. Finally, Mr. Daniels is fully credentialed in legal literature, having been listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (1993-present: Real Estate Law), Chambers USA® (2003-present: Real Estate) and the 2005-2009 Wisconsin Super Lawyers® lists (Real Estate). He is also Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rated.

Mr. Daniels, formerly the national president of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, has established an impressive career in the practice of real estate law, representing national, regional, local and governmental owners, and investors. He has played a significant role in some of the most complex real estate redevelopment projects in the United States, including representing the largest property owner in connection with the redevelopment of the Midwest Airlines Center and representing the largest property owner in connection with the redevelopment of the Bradley Sports Center. He has also served as lead counsel for major institutions both in the financing and the disposition of commercial office space. He serves as national real estate counsel for Philip Morris Capital Corporation and has represented a number of major corporations on their real estate developments throughout the U.S., including General Electric Capital Corporation, Xerox Corporation and Kraft Foods.

Mr. Daniels has further led Quarles to a position of industry prominence as a firm that values diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The Firm ranks impressively in surveys conducted by women’s and minority groups, and both clients and independent organizations have recognized and honored Quarles for its achievements in this area. As the only African-American chairman in the AmLaw 200, Mr. Daniels was named one of the “50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America” by the National Law Journal in 2008, and he has received the 2008 James Howard Baker Award for his efforts to improve the quality of life for African-Americans in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He also received the “Human Relations Award” from the National Conference of Christians & Jews, the “Outstanding Community Leader Award” by the Thurgood J. Marshall College Fund, and he was named to the national Hall of Fame by the National Black Law Students Association in 2009.

Education and Honors

• Harvard Law School (J.D., 1974)

• University of Wisconsin (M.S., 1972)

• North Central College (B.A., 1969)

Bar Admissions
Wisconsin, 1974

Professional Recognition
Honors:

• Received the John and Irma Daniels Humanitarian Award from the St. Francis Children's Center (Milwaukee, WI) in 2008.

• Appointed Fellow at the Ford Foundation.

• Appointed Fellow at the National Science Foundation.
  Given the Outstanding Alumni Award from North Central College.

Professional and Civic Activities

• American College of Real Estate Lawyers (National President).

• American Bar Association (National Secretary Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section).

• State Bar of Wisconsin (Member).

• Milwaukee Bar Association (Past Director).

• Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association (President, 1981-1982).

• American Bar Association (National Vice President, Law Students Division, 1973-1974).

• Quarles & Brady Diversity Committee (Co-chair).

Public Service/Community Affairs:

• Greater Milwaukee Foundation (Chair of the Board of Directors).

• Greater Milwaukee Committee (Vice Chairman).

• Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (Director).

• Ralph Evinrude Foundation (Director).

• Medical College of Wisconsin (Director Emeritus).

• Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (Past Director).

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Milwaukee (Past Director).

Corporate Directorships:

• Marshall & Ilsley Corporation (Director).

• V&J Foods, Inc. (Director).

• North Milwaukee State Bank (Former Chair).

• Zilber Neighborhood Initiative (Board Member).

• Aurora Health Care (Board of Directors).

Selected Presentations/Publications

• Featured, “The Book of Daniels,” Wisconsin Super Lawyers, December 2010.

• Co-panelist (with Justice Sandra Day O’Connor & Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson), “Politicization of Judicial Election Campaigns: Whose Party is it Anyway?,” Wisconsin State Bar Annual Convention, May 6, 2010.

• Featured (with other global real estate professionals), “Real Estate Focus,” Corporate INTL, 2010.

• Featured, “John W. Daniels Jr.: Developing a firm culture that puts people first,” Wisconsin Lawyer, May 2009.

• Panelist, MCCA's 10th Annual Creating Pathways to Diversity Conference, “The Diversity Director and Managing Partner: Best Practices to Forge an Essential Partnership,” September 2009.

• Featured, “A Leader's Perspective on Leadership,” Clark Atlanta Magazine, Fall 2008/Winter 2009.

• Featured, “100 Law Firm Managing Partners You Need to Know,” Lawdragon, June 2008.

• Featured, “An Interview with John Daniels, Jr.,” Cook County Bar Association newsletter, August 2008.

• Interview, Black Nouveau television program.

• Modern Real Estate Transactions–ALI-ABA.

• Real Estate Editor, ABA Barrister Law Notes.

• Featured, "Quarles and Brady open Shanghai Law Office"

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John Draper - President of Operations

John C. Draper - President of Restaurant Operations, V&J Holding Companies, Inc. since in April 07. John C. Draper, who hails Detroit Michigan, is a superior operator with over 35 years of retail and operational management experience. "JD" as he is affectionately known has been an integral part of the global success for V&J Holdings Companies, Inc., since 1994. With a keen ability to multi-task and develop "right teams", John C. Draper, has mastered the art of multi-brand / multi-marketing retail management. He currently has direct responsibility for 65 Pizza Huts, 37 Burger Kings, 28 Auntie Anne's, 9 Coffee Beanery's and 5 Häagen Dazs Shops that collectively operates in six states, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Minnesota and Massachusetts. Additionally he oversees the training and development of over 3,100 team members. Expansion development discussions include states currently operating in as well as Illinois, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean. Mr. Draper has received numerous awards attesting to his management abilities. Mr. Draper leads the day-to-day, charged with energy and enthusiasm that cast a positive leadership shadow over the organization. Mr. Draper has been with V&J for 15 years and has been a key player in the organizations growth and operating success. Prior to bringing his style of leadership to V&J, Mr. Draper served as a franchisee VP of Operations and a company District Manager with Burger King for 20 years. Mr. Draper is married to his high school sweetheart Deborah for 38 years. They have two children, who are married with one son and one daughter each. Mr. Draper attended Wayne State University and majored in Business Administration. Mr. Draper is also involved in a wide variety of community and philanthropic organizations. He enjoys sports and tries to play racquetball and golf.

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James O. Bradley VP of Development and Plant Management

James Bradley has been in real estate development and asset management for 36 years.  He has developed multi-unit and dual concept restaurants in various markets. V&J’s growth and the continued revitalization of its restaurant facilities are managed through the efforts of the team managed by Mr. Bradley. Mr. Bradley has been with V&J since 1999. Previously, Mr. Bradley had a career spanning 28 years in the construction industry, including Sr. Construction Manager at YUM Brands. In this capacity, Mr. Bradley was responsible for the construction and remodeling of 20-25 restaurants per year. At VJO he is responsible for repair and maintenance, capital improvements, lease renewals, real estate sales, and new site acquisitions, along with new and remodel construction projects.

Mr. Bradley graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. degree in Architectural Construction and from The University of Dallas with a M.S. degree in Business Administration.

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Tony Weiss – Corporate Controller

Mr. Weiss has over 19 years of accounting experience, 13 of which are with V&J. His bachelor’s degree in accounting was obtained at Lakeland College. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Accounting Department at V&J, including issuing financial statements, budgets, cash flow projections, forecasts, and monitoring the receivables and payables. He has been married for 16 years; they have two daughters ages 7 and 9. Tony enjoys traveling, camping with his family, and events such as the Brewers, Packers, and Badger games

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Calvin L. Scott – Vice President of Administration/Legal Counsel

Calvin L. Scott has a 25 years plus legal career, as a practicing attorney, government official, and corporate senior executive. As an attorney, his areas of expertise includes employment law with an emphasis on : Human Resources; Title VII; ADA; ADEA; FMLA; FLSA; NLRA; EPA; and Sexual Harassment Prevention. As a government official, he has years of experiences investigating, enforcing and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, and regulations. In his past senior executive roles, he has led corporate government legal and legislative compliance efforts. He has served as Chief Diversity/Inclusion Officer, and Corporate Ombudsman, while minimizing legal liability and preserving corporate assets.

In his current position with V&J Holding Companies, he serves as legal counsel for the company having employment, contracts, legislative compliance and general business law responsibilities. He manages the internal complaint and outside counsel process. In addition, Mr. Scott, has senior executive responsibilities for the administration of all Corporate Human Resources functions, which includes, employee relations, negotiating the company’s benefits and commercial insurance programs, and managing and overseeing the support staff for Payroll, IT, and Tax.

Mr. Scott has a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He has his Juris Doctorate from the University of Minnesota Law School, and is a Minnesota Licensed Attorney. Mr. Scott is a native of Indianola, Mississippi, and the youngest of 11 siblings, the majority of which reside in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. He is the proud father of one daughter and two grandsons.