One Lucky Veteran Will Win aFree Franchise License

Arthur Cunanan is a proud U.S. Navy Veteran who served from 2003 to 2008. A graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, he was inspired to serve after 9/11 and joined the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program, serving aboard an aircraft carrier. His time in the military shaped his discipline, teamwork, and attention to detail.

After the Navy, Arthur continued serving in new ways. He worked as a defense contractor at the Pentagon and later as a project manager at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. While working full-time, he earned an MBA and a Master’s in Finance from the University of Maryland.

Arthur’s career eventually brought him to Houston, where he joined Shell in oil tanker operations and financial analysis. There, he strengthened his problem-solving skills and appreciation for global teamwork. He credits the Navy for the work ethic and lifelong friendships that guide him today, and he brings those values to PJ’s Coffee.

Arthur and his wife, Davida, who is also a Navy Veteran and Naval Academy graduate, come from a deeply rooted military family. Together with their two children, they want PJ’s Coffee to be more than a coffee shop. They hope it will be a welcoming place where people feel at home and where community thrives. They also believe in mentoring and creating opportunities for their team to grow.

At PJ’s Coffee, Arthur and Davida look forward to welcoming you like family and sharing great coffee, meaningful conversations, and a warm sense of belonging.

Dustin is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and moved to Knoxville in 2019. He had various jobs at a young age and then decided to join the U.S. Army in 2007. During that time, he was stationed in Germany and had multiple combat deployments. In 2012 he left active service and joined the Louisiana National Guard. While working in oil refineries and chemical plants as an electrician he furthered his education by getting an associate degree in Instrument and Controls. He did instrumentation for a few years while also getting a bachelor’s in biblical and theological studies in hopes of becoming a chaplain in the National Guard. When he moved to Knoxville, he became a field service electrical engineer for a few years before deciding to try his hand as a General Contractor. As of now they have been very successful and he owes a great deal of this to his awesome wife, Candace. They have seven amazing children and very recently a grandchild. They don’t have a lot of free time but when they do it is spent camping, fishing, golfing, and mostly playing baseball!

Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Rob Smith served in the US Navy following undergrad studies in Computer Science at Kansas State University and Jackson State University. Now residing in Clinton, Maryland, family is Rob’s #1 love and priority. He is husband to wife LaWanda and proud Dad of two sons, Joshua & Gabriel. Starting at home, and expanding outwardly from there, he believes that everything rises and falls on relationships. Rob considers it a privilege to lead teams and encourage others. He has experienced this over his years as Operations Manager at Northrup Gruman. “I am passionate about all the care that goes into serving as a Leader for those reporting to me, while maintaining effective, first-class performance. Strong team building has commonly resulted from this passion,” says Rob. Named the 2023 Veteran Franchise Winner, Rob says becoming a new franchise member of the PJ’s Coffee family and ambassador for the PJ’s brand is, “The fulfillment of dreams that have been watered and nurtured for a very long time. I’m so excited to begin this incredible journey with the PJ’s Team!”

Kyle ​McElhaney earned a ​bachelor's degree in Accountancy from Ole Miss and a Masters in Entrepreneurship from Oklahoma State University. Kyle went on to spend 8 ½ years as an active-duty Army Officer where he flew Apache Attack Helicopters. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 where he earned an Air Medal and supported Special Forces on high profile missions. Kyle continued his career by planning large aviation missions and completed his military career in charge of all of Army recruiting in Northern Kansas. This experience, matched with an entrepreneurial spirit, enhanced Kyle's talent for operational planning, employee empowerment, and delegation. Kyle and his wife, Jenn love the opportunity and challenge to empower others. This has attracted a team of professionals to their businesses while also instilling a success-oriented culture in their businesses and in their family. With a strong desire to create a legacy of success for their kids, Kyle and Jenn have created business foundations and both look forward to building generational change for their family.

Angela grew up in east Tennessee from a small town in the Smoky Mountains. Part of a non-military family, Angela was the first to go to college and was in the 5th class of women that entered the Air force academy. She enjoyed a great career in the Air force as a pilot. Angela flew KC-135’s as a captain at Pease AFB in New Hampshire as part of SAC (strategic air command). She was also a T38 instructor at Columbus Air force Base in Mississippi. The military was challenging especially being a woman and at that time, women could not fight in combat. When Angela flew as a T38 instructor (the fastest airplane you could fly at the time), it was a huge honor as a woman. Now she has moved on in her career and found PJ’s Coffee. Recognized as a family-oriented company, Angela believes PJ’s shares many of her values. Angela and her wife, Denise are excited to give back to their community and begin their new venture as PJ’s Coffee Franchisees.

Michael Adams served his military career in the U.S. Army for 22 years with assignments in Iraq, Germany, Japan, Africa, and several locations in the United States. He completed his Master of Business Administration at Saint Leo University and graduated from several military training academies. Michael has been employed by the Federal Government for the past 14 years and looks forward to continuing to serve his community as a PJ's Coffee franchisee.