Here at Office Evolution, we use our unique business model to provide and invest in flexible workspace solutions for entrepreneurs, professionals, and growing businesses. Our nationwide network caters to over 85 locations, and we understand the importance of developing innovative workspaces, private offices, and meeting rooms that foster creativity, collaboration, and connection.
Vast Coworking is made up of complementary workspace brands committed to providing professional, flexible solutions to communities worldwide. We are committed to providing the highest quality spaces and solutions to communities worldwide.
Founded in 2003, Office Evolution is part of Vast Coworking, the world’s largest privately owned franchisor of coworking spaces, with locations across the U.S. and internationally. With 86 locations open and growing, we are poised for further expansion as demand for professional, flexible workspace close to home continues to rise. We help businesses and professionals from all backgrounds by creating environments for productivity, innovation, and connection.
Our team understands the importance of evolving the way you work. Meet some of our OE Family!
Jason Anderson
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Jason Anderson is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vast Coworking, where he leads a portfolio that includes Venture X, Office Evolution, Intelligent Office, and Intelligent Assistant. His background spans franchising, real estate, marketing, technology, and business development. Anderson served as President of Venture X from 2019 to 2021 and again beginning in 2023, while also holding executive leadership roles across Office Evolution and Intelligent Office. He brings an operator-focused approach to expanding flexible workspace brands and supporting franchise growth.
Paula Mercer
Chief Operations Officer
Paula Mercer is Chief Operations Officer of Vast Coworking, leading operational strategy and franchise support across the company’s flexible workspace portfolio. She became Vice President of the Vast entities in 2024 and was appointed Chief Operations Officer in 2026. Her prior leadership roles include Vice President of Operations for Venture X and Office Evolution, where she supported franchise operations, new location openings, and system initiatives. Mercer holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Liberty University.
Chris Baszto
Chief Marketing Officer
Chris Baszto joined Vast Coworking as Chief Marketing Officer in 2026, leading marketing strategy across the company’s family of brands. Before Vast, he held senior marketing leadership roles at Industrious through its 2025 acquisition by CBRE and previously led digital planning, optimization, analytics, and media work at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Wavemaker, Razorfish, and Hearts & Science. His experience includes work for brands such as Microsoft, Barclays, P&G, and Amgen. Baszto earned a communications degree from Colorado State University.
Ozlem Soyturk
Chief Financial Officer
Ozlem Soyturk joined Vast Coworking as Chief Financial Officer in 2026, leading financial strategy, planning, and analysis across the organization. Before Vast, she served as Chief Financial Officer of Endeavor Schools, where she helped support the company’s expansion from 34 to more than 110 locations. Earlier in her career, she held technical accounting and finance roles at Hertz and worked across PwC’s Istanbul, Toledo, and Detroit offices, including assurance and transformation leadership roles. Soyturk earned a B.S. in Economics from Istanbul University.
Evan Opel
Director of Sales
Evan Opel is Director of Sales for Vast Coworking’s workspace brands, a role he assumed in 2026. His franchise development career includes regional leadership across Venture X, Office Evolution, Intelligent Office, Intelligent Assistant, and other franchise systems. Opel brings a sales-focused perspective to identifying qualified franchise partners and expanding the Vast network.
Mike Speights
Regional Vice President
Mike Speights is a Regional Vice President at Vast Coworking, supporting franchise development across the Southeast. His background combines franchise growth, business development, and entrepreneurship. From 2021 to 2023, he served as Director of Marketing and Business Development for Sunbelt Business Advisors, and from 2011 to 2020 he co-founded and served as Chief Operating Officer of The Foodery. That operating experience informs his work with prospective owners and growing franchise markets.
Jake Gerardi
Regional Vice President
Jake Gerardi is a Regional Vice President at Vast Coworking, promoted to the role in 2026 after serving as Brand Development Manager for the company’s workspace brands from 2024 to 2026. He joined franchise development in 2023 and has supported growth across Venture X, Office Evolution, Intelligent Office, and Intelligent Assistant. Gerardi graduated from North Greenville University in 2023 and holds a Six Sigma White Belt certification.
Darcy Masciotro
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
Darcy Masciotro, CFE, is VP of Strategic Partnerships at Vast Coworking, where she focuses on evaluating our existing partner and vendor network, strengthening key relationships, expanding our referral partner network, developing new strategic alliances, and implementing clear KPIs to measure the results and value generated through these partnerships. Masciotro brings experience in franchise operations, sales growth, business coaching, and small-business support.
Brad Johansson
Vice President of Franchisee Development
Brad Johansson is Vice President of Franchisee Development at Vast Coworking. He supports growth initiatives across the company’s flexible workspace brands, with a focus on franchise development and expanding the network of operators. His experience includes franchisee development leadership for Venture X and Office Evolution. Johansson studied at the University of Colorado Boulder and Liberty University.
Matt Cozza
Vice President of Development
Matt Cozza is Vice President of Development at Vast Coworking, leading real estate and development initiatives across the company’s workspace brands. His corporate real estate background includes site selection, construction, financing, and development for franchise systems as well as schools, restaurants, grocers, and pharmacies. Cozza works across location strategy and project development to help new and expanding workspace locations move from opportunity to opening.
Mandy Jimenez
Director of Marketing
Mandy Jimenez is Director of Marketing at Vast Coworking, supporting marketing strategy and franchisee growth across the company’s flexible workspace brands. Her experience spans paid advertising, social media content, search engine optimization, print and digital media, and content development for international brands. Mandy works with franchise owners and internal teams to translate brand strategy into practical local marketing programs.
Sarah Kittel
Technology Manager
Sarah Kittel is Technology Manager at Vast Coworking, supporting the technology function across the company’s flexible workspace portfolio. She works within Vast’s operations team to help maintain the systems and technology foundation that supports the organization’s brands and franchise network.
Melissa Laing
Franchise Business Consultant & Corporate Trainer
Melissa Laing is a Franchise Business Consultant and Corporate Trainer at Vast Coworking. She joined the organization in a business development role for Intelligent Office and brings a background in customer service, management, franchise ownership, and entrepreneurship. Her experience also includes co-founding a charter academy, giving her a practical perspective on business operations, leadership, and community-focused growth. Laing is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno.
Steve Choy
Franchise Business Consultant
Steve Choy is a Franchise Business Consultant at Vast Coworking, supporting franchise owners across the company’s flexible workspace portfolio. He works as part of Vast’s broader franchise support team, providing business guidance to local operators as they manage and grow their locations.
Assata Black
Franchise Business Consultant
Assata Black, MS, is a Franchise Business Consultant at Vast Coworking with a background in flexible workspace operations, real estate, and business strategy. She holds an ARGUS certification issued in 2024 and a real estate broker/sales agent credential, and she studied at Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Black brings an analytical, operations-focused perspective to supporting franchise businesses and local market performance.
Kianna Ford
Franchise Business Consultant
Kianna Ford is a Franchise Business Consultant at Vast Coworking with a background in coworking operations, community management, and multi-market team leadership. Before joining Vast, she held leadership roles with Common Desk, including Area Director, after progressing through community management positions beginning in 2020. Ford earned her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in 2017, where she studied journalism and public relations and held student leadership roles.
Looking to take your business to the next level? Consider opening your own Office Evolution location. With our proven business model, extensive support and resources, and flexible options for franchise ownership, you can become a part of a thriving community of entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Over 85 locations and growing! Open a Location 