Meet the ohDEER Franchise Support Team: The People Behind the Mission

At ohDEER, we believe in helping families enjoy more time outside, and that includes our franchisees! Behind every ohDEER location is a dedicated team who works hard to encourage and empower franchisees. From your first inquiry to your tenth season in business, our team is here to guide your journey, brainstorm your next campaign, provide advice, and cheer you on every step of the way.

So, who are the faces behind the scenes? Let’s introduce you to the ohDEER franchise support team!

Meet the ohDEER Franchise Support Team: The Outdoorsy Crew Behind Your Success

At ohDEER, we don’t just encourage our customers to “enjoy more time outside”, we love truly spending time outdoors ourselves! Our franchise support team is a passionate, tight-knit group of individuals who are here to guide you through every step of your franchise journey! What really makes ohDEER great? The people.

Kurt Upham: Deer Expert and ohDEER Founder

Role: ohDEER Founder & ohDEER MetroWest Owner
How Kurt Supports Franchisees: Trains all new franchisees, operates the original ohDEER location, always available to troubleshoot.

Kurt is the originator of All-Natural Deer Control in the Northeast. Back in 2006, he was mixing solutions in his garage, determined to create a safe, effective way to protect his landscaping clients from deer damage. The result? All-Natural Deer Control from ohDEER was born.

Today, Kurt still operates the original ohDEER MetroWest location and personally trains every new franchisee. Whether it’s walking you through application techniques or picking up the phone to refresh your knowledge of plants deer target, Kurt’s got your back.

When our amazing ohDEER franchisees in Ohio needed help with their truck at 8PM at night, Kurt picked up the phone. Other franchise systems might leave you to figure things out on your own. But at ohDEER, you’re part of a team that shows up, whether it’s business advice, equipment troubleshooting, or just sharing expertise.

Kurt loves biking local rail trails, walking his labs through the woods, and sitting by the fire pit once the mosquitoes are under control (thanks to ohDEER spray, of course).

Colleen Upham: The Humble Powerhouse Behind The ohDEER Franchise System

Role: President & Co-Founder
How Colleen Supports Franchisees: Colleen supports every franchisee with personalized guidance and continues to ensure the values ohDEER came up with in 2006 are maintained.

Colleen is the reason ohDEER became a franchise in the first place! Her vision turned one successful local business into a growing network of like-minded entrepreneurs. Known for her warmth, leadership, and humility, Colleen continues to rack up an impressive list of accomplishments. She was named one of Franchise Dictionary Magazine’s 2024 50 Women of Wonder and was a recipient of the Impact Award for Women in Pest Management from National Pest Management Association in 2025.

Whether she’s offering financial advice, cheering on your local success, or crushing it on the golf course (she won’t tell you, but we will), Colleen is a fierce advocate for every ohDEER franchisee.

Bryan Vohsing: The Dog Dad Who Does It All

Role: Director of Marketing
How Bryan Supports Franchisees: Bryan heads all ohDEER marketing efforts, helping franchisees develop local marketing plans and working on marketing our franchise opportunity.

Bryan brings structure and creativity to our marketing game. He partners closely with marketing vendors and franchisees to build strong local marketing strategies, ensuring ohDEER’s brand voice stays consistent and compelling, both for customers and prospective owners.

When he’s not helping franchisees grow, he’s walking Kevin, his beloved rescue pup. Being a dog dad has given Bryan an even deeper appreciation for ohDEER’s mission of protecting pets from harmful pests. Follow Kevin on Instagram: @a_dog_called_kev

Leah Pinkes: The Content Queen

Role: Franchise Marketing Coordinator
How Leah Supports Franchisees: Leah creates monthly social media content for franchisees, sends out weekly roundups and monthly newsletters to keep franchisees in the loop, and designs marketing materials like postcards, door hangers, and more!

If you’ve ever shared an ohDEER post or read an ohDEER newsletter (or blog like this), you’ve already seen Leah’s work. She is our resident content queen, always crafting messages that connect with customers and highlight your local ohDEER story.

From bike rides to beach walks, Leah takes her own advice when it comes to getting outdoors. She’s all about embracing nature and capturing it beautifully in your content.

Jereme Shelton: Super Dad and Franchise Matchmaker

Role: VP of Franchise Development
How Jereme Supports Franchisees: Jereme is on a mission to find new franchisees who are a good fit for ohDEER’s values and culture. He guides all new franchisees through every step of joining the ohDEER system.

With four kids and a passion for outdoor adventures, Jereme is our resident super dad. He, his family, and their new puppy love playing outside together, so he understands exactly why ohDEER’s mission matters.

Jereme’s role is all about finding the right people to join our growing network. His down-to-earth style and love for nature help him connect with candidates who are a great cultural and operational fit.

“People who respect nature and enjoy spending time outside are always the best fit,” Shelton said. “I’m motivated to help ohDEER grow and provide franchisees with the opportunity to build successful businesses that positively impact their communities.”

Todd Lamson: The Operations Expert Who Brings the Data

Role: Senior Director of Operations
How Todd Supports Franchisees: Todd helps all franchisees streamline operations, improve standardization, and make data-driven decisions.

Todd is the guy who takes our outdoor-friendly model and makes it sing behind the scenes. He supports franchisees by digging into operations and data, finding ways to improve efficiency, boost profitability, and ensure the customer experience is top-tier across the board.

Todd keeps everything running like a well-oiled (and eco-friendly) machine. He’s also a steady voice of reason when things get busy, helping franchisees focus on what matters most.

“By prioritizing operational efficiencies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, I’m committed to ensuring that every ohDEER franchisee has the tools and guidance needed for their business to reach its full potential.”

Our Franchise Support Team Is Always Here for You!

This isn’t just a support team, it’s a group of people who truly care about each franchisee’s journey. Whether you’re preparing for your first season or celebrating your 10th, we’re with you every step of the way. At ohDEER, we don’t just build businesses, we build relationships!

Together, We’re Team ohDEER

We’re more than just a franchise system, we’re a family of nature lovers, problem solvers, and big believers in the power of doing things differently. Our franchise support team is here to support you with everything from marketing tips to mechanical know-how, and to remind you of why you started this journey: to build something meaningful, protect your community, and enjoy more time outside.

Want to join our ohDEER family?
We’re always looking for passionate, outdoorsy folks who want to make a difference in their community with a business that protects people, pets, and the environment, naturally.