Featured Franchisees of the Year exemplify H&R Block’s tax expertise and community support

Award winners recognized at annual national franchise convention for leading in key growth areas and providing help to H&R Block clients and communities

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Three franchisees stood out from nearly 1,400 franchisees and won recognition from H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), a global consumer tax services provider that virtually created the franchise model in 1956. Winning in separate categories, the Featured Franchisees of the Year Tim Gaskins, Robert and Venette Davis, and Patrick and Susan Taft are part of more than 63 years of tradition of H&R Block.

Winners were selected from among the top 100 franchisees who led business results in the categories of revenue, products and client satisfaction. In addition to leading top-performing franchises, Featured Franchisees of the Year showcased community involvement, leadership and brand ambassadorship qualities.

“At H&R Block, being better together helps us win. Our Top Franchisees program celebrates our better together spirit and recognizes deserving franchisees,” said Karen Orosco, senior vice president of the retail business at H&R Block. “H&R Block’s purpose is to provide help and inspire confidence in our clients and communities everywhere. For this reason, community involvement is so important to our brand – and to our franchise network.”

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.

H&R Block franchise award in the 1-2 office category

Tim Gaswick, a 20-year franchise owner from Chadron, Nebraska won Featured Franchisee of the Year with one to two offices. He has been with H&R Block for 28 years and is a multi-generational owner having purchased his franchise from his father-in-law, who still works side-by-side with him. The Chadron franchise offices employs two full-time employees and brings in five additional tax professionals during tax season.

Gaswick is involved in his church as financial secretary and serves on multiple committees. He loves the theatre and is a major contributing sponsor for the local nonprofit summer theatre company, Post Playhouse. He sponsors several youth sports teams and spends countless hours helping coach baseball and ensuring fields are ready for game time. He enjoys his four children and attending their activities. Gaswick received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Chadron State College. 

H&R Block franchise award in the 3-7 office category

Robert and Venette Davis of Beloit, Kansas were named Featured Franchisee of the Year with three to seven offices. The Davises joined the H&R Block family in 2010 purchasing their first office. They have been Top 100 franchisees each year since the recognition began in 2012 and were recognized as Featured Franchisees in 2014.

This year, their growth in central Kansas has come from purchasing other tax businesses, extending office hours and providing more clients with payroll and bookkeeping services. Tax clients return throughout the year to seek help with planning inheritance tax, setting up business entities, managing cash flow, taxes after a job layoff and even with résumé writing. The offices’ enrolled agents and tax experts also specialize in preparing business, farm and trust returns.

Robert and Venette are passionate about community and take leadership roles in local and regional causes. They support economic development and local Chambers of Commerce and work with Rotary clubs and their church. They developed a matching grants program for local schools. This past year, one of the raffles generated enough proceeds to purchase new performance attire for the choir.

In October, the Davises celebrated their 14-year adoption day anniversary of their three children. Robert has a Bachelor of Science in business and an MBA, a certified financial planner and a former professor teaching estate and income tax at Kansas State University. Venette has a master’s degree and held executive roles in marketing, operations and human resources before embarking on an entrepreneurial path.

H&R Block franchise award in the 8+ office category

Patrick and Susan Taft of Greenbrier, Arkansas were selected as the honorees in the eight plus office category, becoming the first franchisees to win in this category more than once. The Tafts joined H&R Block in 2009 when they converted Susan’s father’s independent tax practice to an H&R Block franchise. They currently employ more than 125 associates.

The Tafts are active in Relay for Life, CAPP, Forever Wild Foundation, local soccer clubs, the FFA, Girl Scouts, and Band Boosters. Their community service is also international. This summer, they took staff on a trip to Africa and worked with children, provided medical outreach, drilled water wells, and donated more than $30,000 toward African mission work.

More than 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 more than 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. Interested entrepreneurs can learn more about online or by calling 1-800-HRBLOCK.

About H&R Block

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is a global consumer tax services provider. services are provided by professional tax preparers in approximately 12,000 company-owned and franchise worldwide, and through H&R Block for the DIY consumer. H&R Block also offers adjacent Tax Plus products and services. In fiscal 2018, H&R Block had annual revenues of over $3.1 billion with over 23 million tax returns prepared worldwide. For more information, visit the .

A video accompanying this announcement is available at