Retired Army Veteran Launches PatchMaster Drywall Repair Business Serving La Crosse and Surrounding Areas

Retired Army Veteran Launches PatchMaster Drywall Repair Business Serving La Crosse and Surrounding Areas

Family-owned franchise brings trusted, professional drywall repair to Western Wisconsin and Southeast Minnesota.

SPARTA, WI (July 2, 2025) — PatchMaster, the leading drywall repair franchise in North America, announced today the opening of PatchMaster Driftless North, owned and operated by Tom and Jenni Lexa, proud residents and active community members.

After serving 25 years in the U.S. Army Reserve and spending two decades in technology and cybersecurity across military, government, and corporate sectors, Tom Lexa was ready for a new mission, one grounded in helping people in his community.

“Having moved around a lot, I saw how often small drywall repairs went undone because homeowners couldn’t find someone willing to take on the job,” said Lexa. “PatchMaster’s commitment to customer satisfaction and the incredible support from Corporate made it the perfect fit for me. This business allows me to help people tangibly, fixing something in their homes that’s often overlooked.”

PatchMaster Driftless North will proudly serve homeowners, landlords, and businesses across Trempealeau, Jackson, Monroe, and Vernon Counties in Wisconsin, as well as parts of Houston and Winona Counties in Minnesota, including the communities of La Crosse, Sparta, Tomah, Viroqua, Westby, Winona, Caledonia, and more.

“We’re honored to welcome Tom and Jenni to the PatchMaster family,” said Paul Ferrara, President and CEO, PatchMaster. “Tom’s strong leadership, commitment to excellence, and genuine desire to help people are the exact qualities that define our franchise owners. We’re confident that PatchMaster Driftless North will deliver exceptional service and become a trusted local resource.”

As a veteran-owned and family-operated business, PatchMaster Driftless North combines military precision, technology expertise, and a customer-first approach to deliver professional drywall repair with unmatched reliability.

The Lexas plan to first focus on La Crosse, before expanding operations to Eau Claire, WI and Rochester, MN as the business grows.

For more information or to schedule a service, visit patchmaster.com/driftless-north/ or call (608) 561-7283.

Tom & Jenni Lexa
Tom & Jenni Lexa

About PatchMaster

PatchMaster is a fast-growing drywall repair franchise designed for its quick ramp-up period, even for those without construction experience. With an initial franchise fee of $54,500 USD, each territory covers 300,000–350,000 people. Royalties start at 9%, with a tech fee included in ongoing costs.

Franchisees benefit from comprehensive training at PatchMaster’s New Jersey headquarters and receive ongoing support in marketing, pricing, hiring, operations, and technician management. The business model offers strong margins, scalability, and a quick ramp-up.

Founded in 2016 and franchising since 2017, PatchMaster now has more than 100 franchisees and expanded to over 200 territories across the U.S. and Canada. The brand delivers professional drywall repair, typically in a single visit, for common wall damage like holes, dings, and dents.

Learn more at patchmasteropportunity.com or call (973) 944-1192.

Media Contact:
Marketing Department
PatchMaster Franchise, LLC.
(973) 944-1213
marketing@patchmaster.com

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Nicole Eresman
Nicole EresmanMarketing Manager
“I’m thrilled to be a part of the PatchMaster team and help grow a brand built on quality, trust, and community. I look forward to empowering our franchisees with innovative marketing strategies that elevate their local presence and strengthen our national voice. Together, we are creating something truly special – and I’m excited to be part of the journey.”

Nicole Eresman, a seasoned marketing, communications, and events executive with a strong track record across top brands like Wyndham Worldwide and Realogy, now serves as PatchMaster’s Marketing Manager.

Eresman oversees all franchise marketing operations at PatchMaster, including brand messaging, social media marketing, demand generation, and franchise marketing support. With over 15 years of experience driving strategic marketing initiatives, she is passionate about helping franchisees grow their businesses through innovative, results-driven campaigns. Nicole brings a people-first approach to leadership and has a proven history of developing marketing strategies that spark brand growth, deepen customer engagement, and deliver measurable business impact.

Kevin Gray
Kevin GrayExecutive Business Coach
“I am truly honored to be part of the PatchMaster, undoubtedly one of the best Franchisors in the industry. Working alongside our franchise owners, who bravely venture into entrepreneurship, is a humbling experience. It is extremely gratifying to share in their successes as they build their business with the support of such a devoted team.”

Kevin Gray brings a wealth of experience in business development, sales management, and strategic partnerships to PatchMaster. With a proven track record of driving revenue growth and nurturing client relationships, Kevin is an ideal guide for our franchisees as they embark on their entrepreneurial journey.

Kevin’s consultative approach and knack for fostering strong business connections are valuable assets in helping our franchisees thrive.

Christian Clavadentscher

Christian Clavadentscher Executive Business Coach

“I am proud to be part of a company dedicated to providing its franchisees the best possible training, support, and tools to scale their business quickly. It is incredibly fulfilling to help our franchisees unlock their full potential and achieve financial success while building their own businesses with the support of PatchMaster.”

Christian Clavadetscher is a highly skilled franchise business coach and financial expert with a proven track record of success in driving business growth and generating revenue. As the owner of PatchMaster Serving Cape Fear, he understands the ins and outs of franchise ownership. As a former director-level investment banker and entrepreneur partner, he brings a unique perspective to PatchMaster’s franchisees. 

With deep expertise in managing all aspects of new business development, multi-account oversight, deal negotiations, and complex financial transactions, Christian provides PatchMaster’s franchisees with unmatched comprehensive business coaching services that help franchisees achieve their financial goals and succeed in their entrepreneurial dreams.

Joe Eible

Joe EibleVice President of Operations

“Being a member of the PatchMaster family has been a rewarding experience, especially in forming valuable relationships with our network of franchisees and having the privilege of hearing their inspiring success stories.”

As the Vice President of Operations at PatchMaster, Joe Eible brings over 20 years of experience in IT, process improvement, and customer service to his role. 

Joe joined PatchMaster in 2019 as director of franchise support and has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and success. He oversees all aspects of the company’s operations, including franchise support, training and development, onboarding, and IT.

Paul Ferrara

Paul Ferrara Chief Executive Officer

“I am incredibly proud of our franchise-first culture, which attracts highly talented and motivated franchisees to our company. Our focus on providing the best-in-class training and support has helped our franchisees to succeed and grow their businesses quickly. With a proven business model and a commitment to excellence, PatchMaster is the ideal choice for anyone looking to start a successful drywall repair franchise.”

Paul Ferrara is a results-driven executive with a successful track record in the franchising industry. He currently serves as the CEO of PatchMaster, a leading franchise business specializing in drywall repair and installation services.

With over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, and business development, Paul keenly understands how to grow businesses and deliver value to customers. He is a strategic thinker with a strong focus on innovation and operational excellence.

Under Ferrara’s leadership, PatchMaster has experienced rapid growth and expansion, with new franchise locations opening regularly. Ferrara is passionate about providing franchisees with the tools and support they need to succeed and maintain PatchMaster’s position as the top choice for drywall repair services. With a focus on innovation and customer service, Ferrara is committed to ensuring that every PatchMaster franchisee has the resources and support they need to build a successful business.

Prior to his current role, Paul held senior leadership positions at several franchising companies, including HouseMaster Home Inspections, Realogy, and Coldwell Banker Corporate. He has a deep understanding of franchising and is passionate about leveraging it to drive business growth and customer success.

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