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Des Moines, Iowa (November 4, 2007) – The Iowa
Restaurant Association named Patricia (Joan) Johnson of Terrible’s Lakeside
Casino in Osceola as the 2007 Employee of the Year. Johnson was honored
at the Association’s annual Celebrating Excellence Awards Gala on
November 4, 2007.
“This
award honors the person who best exemplifies both outstanding performance and
customer service,” said Doni DeNucci, president and CEO for the Iowa Restaurant
Association. “From the moment you meet Joan you realize that the words ‘customer
service’ are synonymous with her attitude and demeanor. According to her
co-workers and supervisor, this 75-year young server has more energy than most
20 year olds and as soon as you meet her, you immediately know it’s true. Her
energy is infectious. She embodies what is best in the hospitality industry.”
Johnson has been in the service industry for more than 25
years. She is loved equally by Terrible’s Lakeside Casino’s employees and
customers who appreciate her “old-fashioned farm work ethic” and sense of humor.
Johnson has been with Terrible’s Lakeside Casino since
1999. She is a familiar face to the Casino’s evening restaurant patrons. Johnson
and her husband Paul have lived in Murray, Iowa their entire lives.
Event Features National Restaurant Association Chairman
This year’s Celebrating Excellence was held at the Meadows Events and
Conference Center in Altoona and featured tasting salons with culinary
competition dishes from eight Iowa chefs, as well as wine, beer and spirits
tastings. The evening culminated with a dessert salon presented by five Iowa
dessert specialists. On hand to help make Johnson’s award presentation was
National Restaurant Association Board Chairman Dick Rivera. Rivera is a
principal of Rubicon Enterprises LLC, a restaurant operations and development
company based in Sarasota, Florida.
About the Iowa Restaurant Association
Headquartered in Des Moines, the Iowa Restaurant Association is the professional
association of the restaurant and retail beverage industries in Iowa. In
addition to representing the industries’ legislative concerns, the Iowa
Restaurant Association provides industry training programs, and works to help
its members to operate efficiently, safely, and profitably and to promote
quality and professionalism in the industry. For more information, visit our Web
site at
www.restaurantiowa.com.
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Media Contacts:
Doni DeNucci, CAE
Iowa Restaurant Association
515- 276-1454
ddenucci@restaurantiowa.com
Jessica Dunker
Iowa Restaurant Association
515-
202-6786
jessica@dunker.com
© Copyright Iowa Restaurant Association 2007
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