It’s time to celebrate this year’s winners of the Carol Williams Scholarship by Border Foods! Named in honor of our beloved late Vice President of Operations, this program is aimed at supporting our team members in pursuit of dreams outside the restaurant. Funds for this life-changing opportunity are raised at our annual Swinging for Scholarships golf event.
Please join us in congratulating our 2025 recipients, all of whom were awarded $15,000 each to further their education goals:
Quinn Ohlemacher-Lonetti, Buffalo, MN Aaliyah Moelter, Hudson, WI Ray Jimenez, McKnight, Logan Gross, Little Falls, MN Kaleb Teshome, Lakeville, MN Matthew Spaulding, Woodbury, MN Nichole Dittbrender, Superior, WI Madison Schwartz, Monticello, MN Al Connelly, Muskegon,
Want to see your name on this list next year? Check back in early 2026 for application deadlines. In the meantime, check out additional details here!
Meet Heather Aos, Area Coach(AC) of Border Foods’ Area 31, which comprises all of our Taco Bell restaurants in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula(UP). This gal knows a little something about elevating a career with us — her words, not ours!
Heather joined Border Foods eight years ago with our large acquisition of UP and central Michigan Taco Bells. Today, she’s a recent Golden Bell winner, an eight-time recipient of a spot on our annual Best of the Best(BOTB) reward trip to Mexico, and an oh-so-worthy subject of a Core Value spotlight for embodying daily excellence in her work.
[Border Foods] does unbelievable things for you.
– Heather Aos, Area Coach
We caught up with Heather in Cabo to hear more about how she got here and her most meaningful advice for others seeking to follow a similar path.
The History of Heather
“I started back in high school, so I was 15 and basically, I needed a job,” Heather shares. Her main motivation at the time was earning enough money to buy the car she wanted. Her first Taco Bell job was working for her best friend’s mom, a person she revered but lost unexpectedly to illness. By the time Heather graduated from high school, she was already a Shift Manager.
Heather continued to climb the career ladderwith natural inclination and drive. She was promoted to Assistant General Manager(AGM) about four years before we acquired her location. She’s only been away from the Taco Bell brand for six months during her entire career!
Within that first year, they developed me to be an Area Coach … I got the whole UP and that was kind of my dream career!
–Heather Aos, Area Coach
Heather takes us back to the time of the Michigan acquisition. She says she remembers thinking the things she was hearing from our leadership about competitive pay and other perks were too good to be true. But she soon realized what she was hearing was real — higher pay, bonus potential and recognition in the form of an all-expenses paid trip to Mexico, these are all a part of making lives better.
“It seems unreal sometimes,” she admits.“These trips are just the tip of the iceberg.”
Heather Knows Best
So how can you, achieve career growth like Heather and earn a reward trip? Well first, you can’t win if you don’t join! Check out our current job openings.
“We work really really hard all year round,” Heather says.“You have to be‘on it’ from the start of the year to the end of the year.”
Heather emphasizes consistency and remaining high performing all year.“You can’t let something slip to get to this trip,” she adds.
Heather touches on the importance of developing the bench:“Try to keep everyone who you have in the store. Make great hires. And then have the‘pedal to the metal’ everyday.”
Heather appears to be living her best work life right now. She oozes of praise for Border Foods and reflects on having the good fortune of working with eight different teams in the course of her career. She doesn’t show any signs of slowing down!
And, this could be YOU! The time to elevate your career to the next level is now. Buckle up!
We caught up with dedicated Service and Food Champion Brenda Foley in Cancún, Mexico, where she was enjoying some well-deserved beachside relaxation — on us! Brenda, a 30-year veteran with our company, won time away from her Taco Bell family in Stillwater, MN, as one of this year’s Heart of Border Foods(HOBF) recipients.
“Brenda cares a lot about people,” HR Business Partner Richelle Johnson shares in the award reveal video.“People who work with her, she’s kind of like a mom to all of those kids in Stillwater.”
The Heart of Border Foods Award is about taking care of others, family and teamwork.
On Becoming Our Beloved Brenda
Brenda takes us back to her beginning with Border Foods. She shares that her career here started when she was babysitting for a restaurant manager who thought she should come work for her at Taco Bell. Starting as a Service Champion, Brenda recalls working the restaurant lobby for her first five years alongside another revered Border Foods veteran, Sr. Safety & Risk Manager Juli Sargent.
She was a young, single mom at the time. For Brenda, Taco Bell proved to be a great fit(her words, not ours). The champion role offered flexibility for young parents — and later, the very same flexibility was available as she navigated personal health issues.
She’s had several great mentors along the way — and the same has definitely been said about her! Over her three decades with us, Brenda has been offered other internal positions and promotions, some of which she’s turned down. She says she was always certain she didn’t want to get“stuck in an office.”
According to her, it’s rare to work for a company like Border Foods.“They don’t push,” she explains.“They make sure that you’re ready and that, if it’s not a‘right fit’ for you, it’s not a right fit.”
It IS like a family … they think about you.
Brenda Foley, Service & Food Champion
Being supported and mentored throughout the years has helped Brenda to develop into the loved leader she is today. It’s also certainly given her the kind of fulfillment that keeps her beaming light shining so bright for her team and all the restaurant regulars. People come in to the Stillwater Taco Bell just to see her!
Thinking about the Big 3-0
Thirty years with one company is a supreme commitment. What does Brenda think about the milestone?
She recalls a time early on when she met someone who’d been with Border Foods for five years.“I was like,‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe that you’ve been there for five years!’” she recounts.“And here I am, my 30 years!”
When asked what’s next for her, Brenda responds,“Just to be who I am still and keep continuing to mentor.“
At Border Foods, we’re proud to be the kind of employer that allows its team members to be their authentic selves.
“I hope I have a lot of good years left to stay[here],” Brenda adds.
Congratulations on your 30-year service anniversary, Brenda! You’ve been a delight to many, and we’re so fortunate to have positive people like you that the next generation can look up to.
Our annual Best of the Best(BOTB) reward trip has once again come and gone, but we’re still reveling in all the fun times we had! The closing Sunset Toast celebration is our grand finale, where we hand out a host of“Fun Awards” designed to capture the on-the-spot creativity only time away from work can inspire!
Thank you to the following individuals for bringing some extra enthusiasm to the beach(and for giving us reason to come up with this lighthearted list of awards):
We recently sat down with Vince Bosscher, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Border Foods, to discuss his reflections on his first year in the role, the challenges he has faced, and his vision for the company’s future.
I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe that you’ve been there for five years! And here I am, my 30 years!
— Paige Turner, Team Member
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Looking back on his first year as COO, Vince highlights the accomplishment of assembling a robust above-store leadership team. “We promoted two new Directors, two Region Coaches, and eight Area Coaches. ” he says. “Getting this team together has been a great accomplishment.”
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Looking back on his first year as COO, Vince highlights the accomplishment of assembling a robust above-store leadership team. “We promoted two new Directors, two Region Coaches, and eight Area Coaches. ” he says. “Getting this team together has been a great accomplishment.”
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Looking back on his first year as COO, Vince highlights the accomplishment of assembling a robust above-store leadership team. “We promoted two new Directors, two Region Coaches, and eight Area Coaches. ” he says. “Getting this team together has been a great accomplishment.”
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Looking back on his first year as COO, Vince highlights the accomplishment of assembling a robust above-store leadership team. “We promoted two new Directors, two Region Coaches, and eight Area Coaches. ” he says. “Getting this team together has been a great accomplishment.”
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Looking back on his first year as COO, Vince highlights the accomplishment of assembling a robust above-store leadership team. “We promoted two new Directors, two Region Coaches, and eight Area Coaches. ” he says. “Getting this team together has been a great accomplishment.”
The biggest thing I’ve learned is to bring as many smart people around me as possible.
– Vince Bosscher, COO
Navigating Challenges
The past year wasn’t without its difficulties. “The biggest challenge has been the cost of doing business,” Vince explains. “Cost of goods is higher, and financially it’s harder to perform. We had to look at managing more effectively—from labor to productivity and how we manage cost of goods.” One of the significant initiatives Vince introduced is the annual operating plan with three strategic pillars. “We didn’t used to have that,” he notes. “Planning it out and sharing it with our team in the field has been a big part of what we’ve accomplished.”
Fostering Inclusivity and Consistency
Reflecting on his perception of the role, Vince acknowledges its magnitude. “It’s a big job that affects a lot of lives,” he says. “Collaborating with other departments—HR, finance, training—is essential.”
The biggest thing I’ve learned is to bring as many smart people around me as possible.
Vince is proud of initiatives that promote inclusivity and diversity. “We started a women in leadership group called EmpowHER,” he shares. “It’s a group of women meeting regularly to invest in their leadership and work on projects within the company.” He also emphasizes the importance of consistency in company culture. “We like to say consistency is the gateway to fairness,” Vince explains. “Being consistent in how we operate and treat people is crucial.” Feedback from his team has influenced Vince’s focus on leadership development. “They’ve asked us to keep investing in leadership,” he says. “We’ve done more leadership training this year than ever before, starting in the first quarter and continuing throughout the year.”
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Vince outlines his vision for the company. “Our vision statement is ‘Shaping the Future,’” he reveals. “It’s about investing in people’s leadership—from team members to RGMs—because they are the ones who will shape the future of Border Foods for the next 10, 20 years and beyond.” The three pillars of the 2025 operating plan are:
Empowerment
Operational Excellence
Financial Leadership
As he reflects on the past year, Vince expresses deep appreciation for his team. “They have been amazing, going after every goal we set in 2024 and reaching it. All their hard work has really paid off,“ he says.
“I just absolutely love working for Border Foods, and the team I get to work with is incredible.” — Vince Bosscher, COO
Congratulations to this year’s Taco Bell Live MásScholarship recipients from Border Foods Taco Bells! This ambitious groupproves that there are zero limits to what you can do with your future. Representing nine exciting career interests, they work hard and study harder!
What’s really inspiring is their common desire to help others. First-time $25,000 award recipient Angie Acosta plans to become an ER nurse. She’s determined to contribute to better health care access and also, being bilingual, help break down language barriers.
“My passion is being a caregiver,” she says.“I just really love helping others and giving effective care to everyone, regardless of the situation or the setting.”
Daria Kianian, another new recipient with $10,000 in Live Más support, dreams of becoming a genetic counselor. She’s already making a difference as co-president of her school’s Red Cross Club. Their fall blood drive brought in enough donations to save 180 lives!
Apply, Win, Repeat
This year, our Live Más scholars have landed a combined total of $155,000 in well deserved educational support from the Taco Bell Foundation! Some are brand new, others are repeat winners — regardless, the impact is enormous.
I see the end of one path in the distance, but with it, the beginning of another.
-Jayden Beach, Technology
Previous recipient Tamera Afraid of Lightening had just convinced herself that she must not have won this year the day we surprised her. She was elated!
Tamera is a single working mom who had been commuting to college but, recently discovered her program was now available at a school closer to home, so she switched. But the downside of proximity was that tuition was more expensive.
“This scholarship will put less of a financial burden on me,” she explains.“it will let me perform and be a great student, it will let me be a great mother who can be there physically for her son … and it will also help me be a great employee so I can balance my work, mom and student life.”
Jayden Beach, also a repeat winner, is in his final stretch of college. He’s been awarded $25,000! With two semesters left, he’s looking for jobs in the technology field.
“None of this would have been possible without the Live Más Scholarship,” he says.“And I will forever be thankful for what I’ve been able to accomplish so far.”
This kind of impact never gets old. We’re so proud to be associated with the Taco Bell Foundation! Congratulations to this year’s fab 13!
$25,000
Angie Acosta, Medicine NEW! Jayden Beach, Technology
$15,000
Rashida James, Medicine
$10,000
Brenden Ohlemacher-Lonetti, Criminal Justice NEW! Daria Kianian, Science NEW! Isabella Rodriguez, Beauty & Fashion NEW! JayLa Bohanon, Medicine NEW! Johnathan Tribby, Music NEW! Kaleb Teshome, Engineering NEW! Khoa Le, Science NEW! Tamera Afraid of Lightening, Medicine
$5,000
Matthew Fogg, Technology NEW! Rebecca Murphy, Food NEW!
You might say our 2024 Best of the Best reward trip was the most engaging one yet! It was our pleasure to treat 72hardworking individuals and their guests to five days of R&R in paradise atSecrets of Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres in Cancun, Mexico. Let’s just say, lots of fun was had!
About BOTB
Each year, we honor our commitment to giving recognition where it’s due by plucking a deserving group of Area Coaches(AC), Restaurant General Managers(RGM) and support staff out of the restaurant or office scene and flying them to an island in the sun. This year’s adventure included delicious dinners, exciting excursions, and plenty of time to kick back to relax and enjoy the ocean breeze. We can’t be the best of the best at what we do without these amazing people, and this annual reward trip is how we properly convey that gratitude!
The Ultimate Side Story
One thing that was not on our official agenda, proved to be the most memorable.
Two of Border’s very own got engaged during the trip! RGM Johnathan Leaf proposed to(now fiancé) Kaela Wrobel, Assistant General Manager(AGM) of our Little Falls, MNTaco Bell. There aren’t enough exclamation points in the world to properly convey our excitement! Johnathan got down on one knee at the beach while cameras captured the iconic moment.It was truly a best of the best kind of moment.
We hope to see YOU on the beach at BOTB this time next year! Cheers to another amazing season of(much-deserved) relaxation and recognition.
We rolled out the red carpet for this year’s Border Foods Rally to honor our 2024 award winners and celebrate a year of big wins. Recognition will always get you on our best dressed list! Congratulations are in order for this year’s impressive group. We could not be the best of the best at what we do without their hard work and dedication!
Enjoy this snapshot of ceremony highlights:
We honored ourHeart of Border Foods(HOBF) winners for exemplifying the positive attitude, dedication and family culture at the core of our business. Recipients include:“Taco Bell Mom” Brenda Foley, a Border veteran of 29 years; Richelle Johnson, an authentic team player; and“father figure” Tony Christiansen, who embodies our family core value;
Brenda Gillispie was named RGM of the Year; Angela Love-Hamlin, AC of the Year; and Nathan Besler, Region Coach of the Year;
We’re shining a spotlight on Chris McElroy in honor of his recent promotion to Technology Coordinator for Border Foods! Chris joins the technology department from the operations division, where he was Area Coach of Area 29 in Michigan(yes, he’s a Detroit Lions fan). Chris joined us in 2017, having previously worked as an Above Store Leader(ASL) for a food service chain located in Tennessee.
The people I’ve met and the leadership skills I’ve learned[at Border Foods] have made me a better person personally and professionally.
Chris McElroy, Technology Coordinator
As our Technology Coordinator, Chris says he’s most looking forward to reaching a larger audience within Border Foods, and growing his capabilities in the tech space. His goals are to 1) achieve new career success, 2) continue to support the field and 3) contribute to our financial excellence. Hey, we’ll take it! Congratulations, Chris, on this much-deserved new role.
We’re celebrating 30 years of Territory Training Manager Melissa Naugle with Taco Bell! She may have started under a different franchisee, but Melissa has spent the better part of her illustrious career with us here at Border Foods. In fact, if you ask her, Melissa will tell you she wished she had known about our company sooner!
Melissa joined Taco Bell in 1994 as a Team Member, like so many others, looking to earn some money. It was a time of transition for her, as she was navigating divorce with a young child in tow.
“I’ve always enjoyed the fast food industry,” she says.“I like to be on my toes.” She quickly discovered she could have a fulfilling career with Taco Bell.
“Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help.” – Melissa Naugle, Territory Training Manager
Finding a Confidant in Border Foods
In 2015, we acquired the Taco Bell restaurant in Rockford, IL where Melissa was working. While Melissa acknowledges the change felt scary at the time, she learned that opportunity begins at the end of your comfort zone.“It was really smooth,” she says of the onboarding process at Border Foods.That was thanks to the strong leadership of our celebrated Taco Bell operator,the lateCarol Williams.
“She just made you feel so comfortable,” Melissa says of Carol.“It was just her presence. You could talk to her.”
By this point in her career, Melissa was working in the Restaurant General Manager(RGM) role and says she lucked out joining the Border Foods family.“They’re always willing to help you, no matter what,” she says.“I felt like I was home.”
Border Foods want[s] to see you succeed.
Melissa Naugle, Territory Training Manager
Train or Remain the Same
Melissa has always loved training people, and set a goal as RGM to have her restaurant become a training location, so the Territory Training Manager position was a perfect fit.“When the opportunity came, I interviewed for it,” she says. Her favorite part of the job is seeing people grow in their career.
“I can look around and say, I helped that person,” she says of her impact.
As a Territory Training Manager, Melissa supports restaurants by conducting CORE walk throughs(surprise visits three times a year), meeting with Area Coaches(ACs) and taking time to develop new RGMs.
Melissa is thriving in this role.“It’s just the atmosphere — I[can] succeed doing what I love to do,” shesays.
This self-professed introvert is happy in her current role, and recharges in the quiet of her home after a successful day’s work.“I can’t sit around, so I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully retire,” she says of her future plans. We look forward to celebrating many more work anniversaries, Melissa!
