Melinda Kemp — also known as “Mo” — is the Accounting Specialist Lead at Desert de Oro Foods (DDO). The name “Mo” has a heartfelt, if not quirky, backstory. Melinda’s mom’s name is Joye and she was nicknamed “Jo.” In college, Melinda became “Molinda,” which was ultimately shortened to “Mo.” 

Sadly, Mo’s mother passed away when she was just 18 years old, leaving Mo on her own. She started working as a dispatcher and administrator for law enforcement by the age of 19. After an impressive 28 years, Mo moved on to a new opportunity, becoming the director and administrator for a senior center where she fundraised, coordinated activities and networked for resources. While Mo found success in this role, it wasn’t her true passion. Enter DDO!

A Numbers Game

It turns out that Mo has an affinity for numbers, making her role in our accounting department a prime fit! As part of the job, she monitors cash and credit cards, and helps new managers with safe and change orders. She works with leaders across all of our quick service restaurant brands, and asserts that it’s a team effort. 

“It’s important to like where you work and the people you are with every day.”

Mo Kemp, Accounting Specialist Lead 

Mo says they’re always learning new things on the job, which requires patience (something Mo admits to struggling with when she was younger). She appreciates the patience that has been afforded to her here as she continues to take on new challenges. Her motto for work and life is to treat others as you would want to be treated.

Blue Skies Ahead

A 40-year resident of Kingman, AZ, Mo considers herself a true “Kingmanite.” She was born and raised in Arizona, which seems fitting since Mo admits to struggling with grey weather. Fortunately, there’s rarely anything but blue skies in Cabo, Mexico, where Mo recently attended our Estrellas de Oro reward trip!

Creative by nature, Mo loves scrapbooking, watercolor painting and event planning in her free time. She never says no to a hike (despite a knee replacement!) and time outdoors usually includes her elderly pitbull mix, Lily. 

Speaking of family, Mo is understandably proud of her son, who lives in Washington state and works as a seasonal “Interagency Hotshot” — a group of 20-plus wildland government firefighters who work in the hottest zones of a fire.

There’s so much more to Mo than meets the eye. We count ourselves lucky to have her as part of our team!