After four years (and counting) with Desert de Oro Foods (DDO), training guru Jesse Packer takes on an upgraded role as Senior Region Training Coach (RTC). Moving up from RTC of Region 3, we share in Jesse’s excitement with this promotion announcement!
In his previous position, Jesse already made a meaningful impact on our restaurants, leaders and the RTC team. In recent months, we also benefitted from his incredible support stabilizing our newest market (New England) out in Region 9 as it prepared for its own leadership transition.
“Teaching and development have always been a passion for me.”
– Jesse Packer, Taco Bell Sr. RTC
One of Jesse’s greatest strengths is developing people. He invests in helping others grow, builds confidence and creates future leaders by bringing others with him.
“This promotion reflects both Jesse’s strong performance and the confidence we have in his ability to elevate our entire RTC team,” says Chad Burge, President of Development and Operations.
In Jesse’s expanded role, he will continue to partner closely with DDO’s Regional Directors and oversee our Taco Bell Region 3, while also supporting Regions 1, 2, 5, 9 and 12.
“Having worked for some great teachers and mentors, it brings me great joy to lead forward,” Jesse says.
When asked what his greatest lesson has been so far, Jesse couldn’t limit it to just one. Here are his top six lessons learned:
- Don’t be afraid to make a mistake – just don’t make the same mistake twice!
- It may not be your fault, but it is your problem.
- Hope is not a strategy.
- At what cost do you have to be right?
- People are your greatest asset.
- One-second increments for improvement.
Now, enjoy more highlights from our recent interview!
Q: What brought you here?
A: I was an Operations Regional Director of another QSR company and a recruiter talked to me about an opportunity with Taco Bell. At first, I wasn’t interested. But my great, influential and loving wife convinced me to interview with DDO. I met with Senior RTC Selene Quintana (now Regional Director, Taco Bell – New England) and she offered me an opportunity to be a trainer for Region 3.
Q: Why DDO?
A: DDO has been right for me by continuing to allow me to explore and apply processes that build people … It has been said to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you so I try and surround myself with people and programs that develop me and those around me.
Q: As Senior RTC, what are your goals in this new role?
A: Inspire, develop and build leaders!
Q: What feels different or new about this?
A: The difference in this new role or chapter in my career is that I am being given an opportunity [to] touch more lives, above and beyond my region. I want to inspire our trainers and teams to be leaders and not just managers.
Q: What are you most proud of overall so far since joining DDO?
A: I am most proud of seeing someone who starts out only making tacos [turn into] a leader who can run a multimillion-dollar restaurant and feel good about what they can contribute to the overall picture, through processes that build confidence and independence … and security for their family.
Q: Any last words for those who will look to you for leadership?
A: Perfection pending! As I grow into this new role, I will be looking to everyone to help us lead and guide our teams to greater heights (we have a great and stable foundation that we will continue to build upon).