Notice
Dugan Named Opaa! Food Management "Employee of the Year" 2005
Opaa! Food Management announced that Iberia School District food service employee Verma Dugan has been selected as the recipient of its Employee of the Year Award for the 2004-05 school year. Verma was presented the award during an all staff meeting on May 13, 2005, by Opaa! President Kevin Short, Opaa! Executive Vice President Robert Sanders, Vice President for Operations, Sheila Middleton and Regional Director of Operations Karen Wracher.
Verma was selected for this award from among Opaa!'s 1,100 employees throughout the State of Missouri. Verma began working for Opaa! in September, 2001 in her role as head cook at Iberia when Opaa! took over district operations and has worked in the district for over 14 years. Karen Wracher, Director of Nutrition Services for Opaa!, states that Verma "is absolutely my 'right-hand person' and is someone that I can count on day-in and day-out". Wracher went on to say that Verma carries a "Make Their Day" attitude everyday toward both students and staff. Superintendent of Schools Mile McLeod added that "the kids can always expect a smile from Verma and the other ladies…it makes their whole day".
Executive Vice President Robert Sanders began the meeting by describing the Employee of the Year selection process and how it included written nominations from fellow employees with details of outstanding job performance, demonstrated leadership and initiative, and a genuine commitment to customer service. Sanders cited nominations that described Verma as someone who consistently tries to make everyone around her successful.
During the ceremony, Superintendent McCloud sang a personalized version of "Hey Good Lookin…What Ya Got Cookin" to Verma. Verma was then invited to go to the school cafeteria where all of the students in grades 4,5 and 6 were gathered to sing and congratulate her. One of the students sang a solo (Wind Beneath My Wings) dedicated to Verma.
Verma and her husband Dennis live in Brumley and are the proud parents of 3 sons. The Dugan's currently have 5 grandchildren and "another on the way". When she is not working at school, Verma enjoys gardening, fishing and an occasional round of golf. She expressed total surprise at winning the award and indicated that she couldn't have done it without the help of everyone that works in the kitchen. She said that together, we make up a "great team". Verma acknowledged that the kids count on us and that many of them feel like her own kids.
Opaa! Food Management, Inc., is based in Chesterfield, Missouri, and currently provides nutrition services to 49 Missouri school districts. Opaa! has been providing services to the Iberia School District since 2001.
Welcome Centralia R-VI and Southern Boone County R-I
 A warm welcome to the students and staff of the Centralia R-VI School District and the Southern Boone County R-I School District, Opaa!'s two newest accounts.
Centralia is located north of Columbia, MO. Their first day of service was August 25th. Centralia has three school cafeterias and an enrollment of nearly 1350 students. Deanna Schraufek-Forshee is our new Director of Nutrition Services. Lisa Frank is the Regional Director. She along with RDO Debbie Linke have been assisting Deanna and her staff with the new opening. Southern Boone County's opening day was August 18th. Located in Ashland, they have three cafeterias and an enrollment of approximately 1250 students.
Welcome aboard, Deanna, Kathy and all of Centralia's and Ashland's foodservice employees! |
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Kathy Diederich is our Director of Nutrition Services. Lisa Frank will be their Regional Director. RDO Steve Strup has been assisting with their opening.
Timmerberg Given Outstanding Marketing Award 2004
At its annual Summer Retreat July 27-29, 2004, Opaa! Food Management announced Bonnie Timmerberg, Opaa!'s Director of Nutrition Services for the Odessa R-VII School District as the winner of the 2003-04 Outstanding Marketing award. Company officials selected Bonnie for this award from among all of Opaa!'s Directors' of Nutrition Services across the state of Missouri.
A successful Marketing Plan plays a key role in developing and maintaining a strong nutrition services program. Opaa! Food Management has sponsored a number of highly successful marketing events throughout the year. One of the most exciting events for Odessa was the AgriMissouri Apple Promotion. This was an essay contest and was a cooperative event involving Opaa! Food Management and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. This prize for this event was for a student to serve as Director of Agriculture for a day. The winning entry was from Mariah Shields, a 7th grade student in Odessa. As a winner of this event Miriah and her family were guests of the Missouri Department of Agriculture for a day. Other popular marketing events were National School Lunch Week and National School Breakfast Week.
At the presentation, Opaa!'s Director of Development, Linda Jones, stated, "Bonnie did much more that just the required marketing events. There was a good variety of promotions for students of all ages as well as events for adults. It was a pleasure to see how involved the entire staff in Odessa had become in the Marketing Plan. This was a perfect example of great team work. We are truly looking forward to seeing what great ideas the Odessa staff will have for the upcoming school year." Bonnie has been Opaa!'s Director of Nutrition Services at the Odessa R-VII School District for the past 4 years.
Opaa! Food Management, Inc., is based in Chesterfield, Missouri, and is entering its 27th year of operation. Opaa! currently operates the nutrition programs for 47 Missouri school districts and has been serving the nutritional requirements of the Odessa R-VII School District since 1994.
Phyllis Schaefer Named Opaa!'s Director of the Year 2004
At its annual Summer Retreat July 27-29, 2004, Sheila Middleton, Vice President of Operations for Opaa! Food Management, announced Phyllis Schaefer, Opaa!'s Director of Nutrition Services for the Clinton County R-III School District, as the recipient of the 2003-04 Director of the Year award. Company officials selected Phyllis as Director of the Year from among all of Opaa!'s Directors' of Nutrition Services across the state of Missouri. The criteria for selection included top ranking in the categories of creative marketing, employee training, employee safety, fiscal performance, and student and adult participation.
Phyllis has been Opaa!'s Director of Nutrition Services at the Clinton County R-III School District for the past two years. Phyllis came to Opaa! after working over 20 years as a travel agent. Phyllis lives in Plattsburg and she has a daughter, Lauri, who lives in Los Angeles, California. When not at work, Phyllis says that she enjoys cooking and quilting.
In making the announcement, Middleton described Phyllis as a person who is dedicated to let nothing stop her from providing the best service possible to her students and staff. In looking for ways to better serve her students, her attitude is always "no problem". Middleton said "Phyllis made up her mind from the first day of school that she would improve the program she managed". Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gary Drummond, stated that "no one could be more deserving of this award. Phyllis is a joy to work with each day. The school board, the teachers and the community love her dearly. I'm pleased to know that Opaa! Food Management recognizes her for her commitment and spirit."
As Director of Nutrition Services, Phyllis supervises two serving sites in the Clinton County R-III School District. As to her selection, Phyllis said, "I think that I have found my niche and I feel like I am doing something very important with my life. I have a great staff and my staff believes in what we're doing, which makes my job easier. I'm also pleased to be a part of my community again."
Opaa! Food Management, Inc., is based in Chesterfield, Missouri, and is entering its 27th year of operation. Opaa! currently operates the nutrition programs for 47 Missouri school districts and has been serving the nutritional requirements of the Clinton County R-III School District since 1989.
Sharon Moore Selected as Opaa!'s New Director of the Year 2004
At its annual Summer Retreat July 27-29, 2004, Shelia Middleton, Vice President of Operations for Opaa! Food Management, announced Sharon Moore, Opaa!'s Director of Nutrition Services for the East Prairie R-II School District as the recipient of the 2003-04 New Director of the Year award. Sharon was selected by company officials as New Director of the Year from among Opaa!'s New Directors' of Nutrition Services across the state of Missouri. The criteria for selection included top ranking in the categories of creative marketing, employee training, employee safety, fiscal performance, and student and adult participation.
Sharon has been a food service employee since 1976 and Opaa!'s Director of Nutrition Services for the East Prairie R-II School District for the past school year. Sharon and her husband Charles are life-long residents of East Prairie and have two grown boys, Travis and Jamie Moore. In her spare time, Sharon says that she enjoys reading, walking and being active in her church.
In presenting the award, Middleton talked of Sharon's determination and perserverance in accepting the challenge of leading a new program in the East Prairie R-II School District after doing things the same way for many years. In issuing his congratulations, Superintendent of Schools, Scott Downing, spoke of how "you accepted the challenge of switching our food service to Opaa! and you have reassured our district that we made the right choice in switching. Your hard work is a testament to your desire for our district to be number one and to perform at a high level. I am very proud of you and your accomplishment."
Sharon supervises three serving sites in the East Prairie R-II School District. Following the presentation, Sharon reacted by saying, "I was very surprised and overjoyed. I can't wait to tell my husband. I have a fantastic staff that will do what's needed anytime."
Opaa! Food Management, Inc., is based in Chesterfield, Missouri, and is entering its 27th year of operation. Opaa! currently operates the nutrition programs for 47 Missouri school districts and has been serving the nutritional requirements of the East Prairie R-II School District since the beginning of school last year.