Tanesha Aultman, Area Coach (AC) for Desert De Oro Food’s (DDO)Taco Bell Area 38, leads with a fierce commitment to her team. Known for her passion and no-nonsense approach to leadership, she goes above and beyond to support her restaurants. She brings creative problem-solving and mentorship to the forefront.
Born and raised in Tucson, AZ, Tanesha is the oldest of three and proud of the family she’s built. She and her husband Antwane have seven children — six boys and one girl — and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first grandchild.
A Drive-Thru Moment That Sparked a Career
Tanesha’s Taco Bell story started unexpectedly, years ago while stuck in a long drive-thru line with her child, she chose to speak with the manager and later, the AC about how the experience could be improved. Her thoughtful feedback stood out to the team and, months later, the General Manager at Taco Bell offered her a position. The timing wasn’t quite right, but when circumstances shifted, Tanesha reached back out and officially joined the team.
Prior to Taco Bell, Tanesha was a General Manager at Rent-A-Center by age 25 and quickly became a District Manager overseeing six locations. A high-risk pregnancy led her to step back, eventually working at IHOP as a server. That pause in her corporate career set the stage for a new opportunity — one that led her straight to Taco Bell.
Finding Her Place at DDO
When DDO acquired her Taco Bell location from another franchisee in 2016, Tanesha embraced the change. She credits leaders like Fred Bendel who is our Vice President of Operations for offering steady encouragement, and Region Director Carlos Covarrubias for giving her the space and trust to lead. Managing rural stores isn’t easy — vendor access is limited, and maintenance logistics are challenging — but Tanesha meets each hurdle with focus and persistence.
Tanesha’s journey is a powerful example of how grit, care and a willingness to speak up can lead to incredible opportunities. She is not just a leader in title, but a true mentor and champion for her people.