We’re proud to announce the first ever recipient of our Wallie Jaso Growing People Award: Laura Quintero! Laura is a Regional Training Leader (RTL) for Desert de Oro Foods’ (DDO) Region 6 in San Antonio, TX. She leads one of our high volume, high performing KFCs.
DDO’s Wallie Jaso Award represents strength of character, care for people and positivity in leadership.
We had fun introducing new leadership accolade on our company’s inaugural Estrellas de Oro reward trip to Cabo, and surprising Laura! The late Wallie Jaso, a former company leader and training coach, had a direct impact on Laura’s career — she says Wallie inspired her own growth and development.
And Laura has developed into a great representation of what Wallie stood for! She shows true passion for training and development, and strives for excellence in everything that she does.
According to DDO Founders Mark Peterson and Krystal Burge, Wallie‘s namesake award is about character, collaboration, always being a part of the solution and being willing to help others. Above all, having a Wallie-like sparkle in your eye.
“It’s about caring about the people,” Mark says. “What comes from the heart.”
Who was Wallie Jaso?
Wallie was our KFC/Taco Bell Region 6 Training Coach. She joined DDO in 2015 when we acquired her company. Over the years, she came to be known for some key principles that guide how we work and treat each other. She’s remembered fondly for bringing energy and positivity to coaching and training. Sadly, we lost Wallie in 2023.
“Wallie’s character was outstanding,” Krystal says. “She was always kind, always looking out for others, always finding where the needs may be.”
We are humbled by Wallie’s enduring legacy and how she touched lives during her time with us. She went above and beyond in her role, and inspires the rest of us to do the same!