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!
We’ve been busy celebrating all the amazing people who help make us the best in the business year after year. Today we’re honoring our Heart of Border Foods(HOBF) winners for exemplifying the positive attitude, dedication and family culture at the core of our business. The Heart of Border Foods Award is one of the highest honors a person can achievewithin our company. Huge congratulations to this year’s worthy winners!
Richelle Johnson
It’s no surprise that a woman described as having“the heart of the people” is one of our HOBF winners. Richelle is an authentic team player who’s developed an impressive career with Border Foods and now helps do the same for her peers.
Tony Christiansen
Tony is someone who makes everybody feel like a somebody. Whether you’re a team member or a guest, you can feel welcome in Tony’s orbit. This Taco Bell“father figure” embodies our family core value.
Brenda Foley
A 29-year veteran of Border Foods, Brenda has been described as the heart of ourStillwater Taco Bell. And it’s easy to see why! A consistent supporter of her community and“Taco Bell Mom,” Brenda is a caring mentor to anyone lucky enough to cross her path.
Congratulations are in order for this impressive group of Area Coaches(ACs) whose commitment and drive was recently honored with our Circle of Excellence Award! Positive, helpful, team player — these are all character traits shared by this special group of ACs. We could not be the best of the best at what we do without their hard work and dedication.
Constance“Connie” Horan
Connie truly goes above and beyond for her team AND other teams within the Border Foods family. And she does it all with a smile. Described as“a ray of sunshine,”there’s no day(or restaurant) she can’t brighten.
Aaron Mechtel-Kilborn
Aaron sets career goals and immediately works hard to achieve them. And he doesn’t stop there! Aaron has established himself as a helper, often lending a hand to other Border Foods team members outside of his restaurant. Truly living our teamwork core value!
Lori Sumner
Described as a passionate go-getter, Lori empowers her team to bring their best to the job every day. She embodies the growth mindset that helps everyone in her orbit succeed. Excellence personified!
LouAnn Hansen
A compassionate team player, LouAnn is dedicated to living outour core values in everything she does. She’s a natural–born teacher in the AC role and a fierce advocate for the Border Foods culture we’re so proud of.
Recognition is one of the pillars to success here at Border Foods, which is why we’re thrilled to celebrate this year’s“of the year” award winners. Congratulations to the following hard working group of leaders!
AC of the Year
Angela Love-Hamlin
Genuine, willing to help, always smiling. These are common descriptors when talking about Area Coach Angela“AJ” Love–Hamlin, which makes it easy to see why she was awarded our AC of the Year accolade. We’re thankful to have you captain our team, Angela!
RC of the Year
Nathan Besler
Nathan Besler is a genuine leader who has truly blossomed in the Region Coach role. Nathan’s quiet confidence and excellent communication skills made him a natural choice for RC of the Year.
RGM of the Year
Brenda Gillispie
Restaurant General Manager Brenda Gillispie is a goal-oriented, avid learner with a gift for connection. Thank you for teaching us all how to be the best we can be, Brenda!
It’s the BEST time of the year! We get to celebrate our Best of the Best winners. This hard working group of people exemplifies the values we live by while serving the customers we love.
Since recognition is one of our favorite things, we’re showing our thanks in the form of sunshine! These deserving reward trip winners get to celebrate in style at Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres.
When David Ziemer joined Border Foods in June 1994, he was simply looking for a summer job at a new Taco Bell in Cottage Grove, MN.“They were opening a Taco Bell a couple of blocks from my house,” he recalls.“There was a lot of buzz about it, and I was excited to work at a new restaurant.” Little did David know this first job would grow into a nearly 30-year career shaping the company’s technology.
Learning on the Fly in Cottage Grove
David’s early days were nothing short of hectic. With a brand-new crew and virtually no prior restaurant experience, it was trial by fire—long lines, frantic service, and a team figuring it all out on the go.“We had literally a line out the door from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.,” he laughs, recalling how their limited training led to extended wait times. Despite the chaos, David found it fun and rewarding.“Even with all that, we enjoyed it and obviously it got better.”
By the late‘90s, Border Foods had purchased the market that included his store, and opportunity came knocking. David, then a Shift Manager, was offered a chance to move into a bigger role as Assistant General Manager(AGM). After helping out at“troubled” restaurants, he was asked to assist with the company’s new KFC acquisitions—an unexpected opportunity that set the stage for his future.
Embracing Tech, One Store at a Time
When KFC units joined the Border Foods family, they came with minimal technical infrastructure. David jumped at the chance to install much-needed software.“They were using a calculator and pencil the first day,” he says,“Give me eight hours and I can have software on these systems.” The project was a success, showcasing David’s natural knack for IT. Soon, he was splitting his time between operations and field tech work, honing a unique blend of restaurant expertise and technology support.
We no longer operate the KFC units, but fortunately for us, we retained David. Today, as the IT Operations Manager, David oversees everything from broadband connections and point-of-sale systems to security cameras and headsets.
I really enjoy making a difference and having a larger impact.
David Ziemer, IT Operations Manager
Why Stay So Long? The Culture
David never imagined sticking around for decades, but our culture and leadership gave him reasons to stay.“There’s just something different here,” he explains.“I have counterparts at other companies that don’t have this same feeling. We rally around each other when something happens” Over the years, David has seen firsthand how the leadership invests in people’s futures and treats everyone like family.
I’ve always loved working with IT
David Ziemer, IT Operations Manager
Reflecting on the nearly 30-year journey, David feels both proud and grateful.“I’m very blessed to be here,” he says.“My hope is to stay until I retire, if Border Foods will have me.” David’s story underscores the breadth of opportunitywithin Border Foods. What starts as a summer job might become a lifelong career.
It’s no wonder we’re one of the nation’s leading Taco Bell franchisees with results like these! We’re celebrating the Border Foods teams awarded Signature Restaurant status AND the Restaurant General Managers(RGMs)who have the impressive distinction of simultaneously receiving Taco Bell’s coveted Golden Bell award.
To become a Signature Restaurant, you must achieve five-star status all year long with a clear focus on people, customers, fundamentals and sales.Golden Bell winners representthe Top 100 RGMs in the Taco Bell system. Well done to all! Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.
Meet Ariana Abad Romero, a Shift Lead at our UlyssesTaco Bell who not only manages shifts but also dreams big. Ariana is the recipient of the Border Foods Scholarship, and says the money will have a huge impact on her financially.
For Ari, working at Taco Bellisn’t just about punching the clock.“My favorite part of the job is definitely interacting with my coworkers,” she says.Ari’s team has become more than colleagues, a sentiment many Border Foods employees can resonate with.
We’re all a big family.
Ariana Abad Romero, Shift Lead
A Surprise Like No Other
With the encouragement of her General Manager and Area Coach, Ari applied for the Border Foods Scholarship.
“My Area Coach knows I’m always seeking scholarships and everything, and she told me about these scholarship opportunities,” Ari recalls. The moment she found out she was a recipient, she was filled with shock and immense gratitude.“I was definitely super surprised. I didn’t expect it at all,” shesays.“I’m really, really grateful.”
It feels good thatTaco Bell is supporting me to keep pursuing my degree.
Ariana Abad Romero, Shift Lead
The Border Foods Scholarship is more than just financial aid; it’s a lifeline for students like Ari who juggle work and school. Ari, a marketing major, plans to put the scholarship towards her tuition. As a first-generation college student, this scholarship significantly eases the financial burden, allowing Ari to focus more on her studies and less on the stress of tuition fees.
Dreams On The Horizon
With aspirations of working remotely and traveling the world, Ari’s dreams are big and bold — just like our Taco Bell menu items!
Receiving the Border Foods Scholarship has motivated Ari to excel both academically and professionally.“Overall, I feel like it’s going to help motivate me to do more in school and more at Taco Bell,” she says. This dual reward system fosters a sense of accomplishment and motivation that is truly inspiring!
And, of course, no story about a Taco Bell employee would be complete without a mention of a favorite menu item. For Ari, it’s the Cantina Quesadilla. A delicious choice, indeed!
