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At it's annual Summer Retreat July 17-19, 2007, Sheila Middleton, Vice President of Opaa! Food Management announced Kathy Diederich, Opaa!'s Director of Nutrition Services for the Southern Boone County R-I school District as the recipient of the fifth annual "Whatever It Takes Award". In making the announcement, Middleton stated, "This award was created to recognize the extraordinary efforts of an individual who embodies the "vision" of Opaa! It is given to a person who takes ownership of their position and who goes the extra mile for their clients, co-workers, vendors and the public in general. The person chosen for this award truly finds self-fulfillment in creatively carrying out the duties of their job. They see and act upon opportunities to benefit the company, themselves and everyone around them."
In presenting the award, Middleton described Kathy as being very dedicated to her job and the Opaa! family for the past 3 years. Kathy began working for Opaa! Food Management in 2004 as Director of Nutrition Services for the Southern Boone County School District and currently holds still holds that position. Company officials selected Diederich as the award recipient from over 1300 Opaa! employees across the state of Missouri.
Middleton added that "Kathy has never met a goal she could not obtain and has played a very influential role as the backup to the Regional Director of Operations within her region."
Kathy and her husband Robert live in Hartsburg, Missouri. Their daughter Sarah, will graduate from the College of the Ozark this year and has traveled to seven different countries doing Christian and agriculture mission work; their son Zachary work's in construction and helps a lot with the 1500 acre family farm were they raise soybean, corn, wheat, and cattle; their youngest son Jessie is a sophomore at the Southern Boone County high school and is very active in FFA as well as the family who is active in the livestock part of 4-H.
After the surprise of the moment settled in, Kathy said of the award, "I'm very honored to have received the "Whatever It Takes Award" and I'm still somewhat in shock as I guess I didn't realize directors could be eligible to receive this award. As I listened to the comments from those who nominated me, before I knew it was me, I was in awe of the person they were describing as very touching, personal, and heartfelt. I remember thinking WOW they [Opaa!] are really appreciative of that person and I was touched to discover that it was me they [Opaa!] were talking about." Kathy went on to say, "I want to thank Opaa! and my region for this great award. I love my job and am very passionate about my dedication to my position, with my Opaa! family, and school district. I work with an amazing group of people which makes my job something I'm excited to go to everyday because it's entertaining, challenging, frustrating, and very rewarding. My hat is off to my awesome lunch ladies and Fred, my family, the Southern Boone County School District, my region and my Opaa! family because they are a huge part of "Whatever It Takes"."
For several years, Opaa! was privileged to have the opportunity to work with a motivational speaker and coach, Carol Rogers-Sealy. "Whatever It Takes" was the philosophy of life that Carol Rogers-Sealy lived by and because of her impact on Opaa! Food Management, it was felt that is was an appropriate name for this award. Opaa! Food Management, Inc., is based in Chesterfield, Missouri, and is entering its 29th year of service. Opaa! currently operates the nutrition programs for 61 Missouri school districts.
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