There’s something special about Texas, and even more special about the people who call it home. At Desert De Oro (DDO), we’ve come to recognize a unique energy in our Texas-based team members. They bring passion, pride and purpose into everything they do. One standout? Greg Jackson, KFC Region Director (Region 6). His story is a true example of what it means to lead with heart.
Rooted in the Lone Star State
Greg was born in Lubbock, TX and raised in Odessa. While he’s traveled and grown professionally, Texas will always be home. His restaurant journey began when he was just 15, working at a local taco restaurant while still in high school. At 16, he was already a Shift Lead, juggling work and school with incredible drive. That experience lit a fire in him, a spark that’s still burning strong.
Greg moved up the ranks quickly — he became an Assistant General Manager (AGM) in 1992, then an Area Coach (AC) in 1997. In 2015, when DDO acquired 34 Taco Bell locations in San Antonio, Greg was overseeing six of them. Fast forward to today, and Greg is now a Region Director leading 27 KFC/KT restaurants. That kind of growth doesn’t happen without vision and a deep commitment to his people.
Leading Teams To Success
Greg never forgets what it’s like to be in the restaurant every day, and regularly reminds his team how hard it is to be a General Manager:
He participates in continuing education classes , shares career growth opportunities with his team and always encourages team members to aim higher. His leadership helped eight of DDO’s team members earn KFC Foundation scholarships this year, out of 20 awarded in the entire state of Texas!
Family Values
Greg’s values were shaped early on by his family. His dad, Jim, taught Greg to lead with compassion and stay calm under pressure.
Greg met his wife, Deanna, at a work Christmas party and they’ve been married 39 years. Together, they’ve raised three kids — Tiffany, Ashley and Christopher — and are proud grandparents to five grandchildren: Candice, Allison, Jackson, Leah and Levi.
Outside of work, Greg and Deanna love spending time with family. RV trips, beach vacations and backyard hangouts are their favorite ways to unwind. Their mini dachshund Raider is never far away. They’re also self-proclaimed foodies — big fans of Tex-Mex and Texas BBQ. And while Greg says he’s a reluctant Dallas Cowboys fan, he proudly supports Texas Tech football and the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spark That Shines Bright
Greg embodies what it means to lead with heart. From his early days as a teen working the line to his role today as Region Director, he’s never lost sight of what really matters — supporting others. Whether it’s his restaurant family or his family at home, Greg is proud of the lives they’ve built together. And he’s committed to helping others build theirs too.
That’s the Texas spark.