Construction & Maintenance Department Founder Denise Branca Retires

This month we celebrate and honor the distinguished career of our very own Vice President of Construction, Denise Branca: friend, co-worker, mentor, department pioneer, role model, team advocate. She’s been so many things to so many of us over the years — and never anything short of remarkable! 

After putting her career first for nearly 30 years, working her way up to Vice President of Construction and Maintenance in 2019, Denise is retiring from this busy work life at Summerwood Corporation. Her most significant, lasting contribution was building our maintenance department from the ground up. It’s a robust department that today includes 11 technicians, a director, coordinator and field supervisor.

“Denise helped build an amazing in-house team of maintenance techs, all of whom greatly respect her,” says Andrew Meduri, Construction Manager. “I would not have developed the knowledge and skills that I have without her.”

“Denise has always put the needs of the company first.”
– Terry Brown-Walker, VP & Chief Technology Officer

Career Progression

Denise’s career in the restaurant business started as a part-time after school job at Gino’s, a KFC franchisee, where she worked her way up to General Manager by the age of 22. 

When Gino’s went up for sale, the next transaction would ultimately bring our very own President and CEO John Marsella and Denise together under the same operation. John and another Gino executive, Mike Phillips, formed Philmar Mid-atlantic and became KFC franchisees. Denise worked for Philmar as they began to build the business to 15 restaurants. Philmar eventually sold all of its restaurants to KFC Corporate, where Denise remained employed for seven years in restaurant management and training.

In the meantime, John joined Jim Nasuti (CEO and General Counsel) at Summerwood. In 1996, he gave Denise a call. Summerwood had acquired 63 Taco Bells and they wanted her on the team! She joined the company as an Area Supervisor, where she initially oversaw 11 restaurants across three states.

Serious Business Meets Marketing Mayhem?

In 1999, when a Business Manager position opened up at Summerwood, Denise interviewed and got it! In this capacity, she handled restaurant licenses, contract services and landlord liaisons. This is when two very different personalities and fields collided: Denise and Director of Marketing Lori Grossman, who was also coincidentally a former Philmar employee, shared an office!

“We would joke [that] she was the serious side of the room,” Lori quips. “And I was the party side of the room.”

“We became very close that way,” Lori says, noting the two learned a lot about their remarkably different worlds. “We got along despite our differences. I think that’s what was so special about our relationship.”

A Legacy in Maintenance & Construction

Next, Denise entered the maintenance field for Summerwood. Not having a formal college degree, she is known to have been entirely self-taught.

“She was so good at what she was doing,” Lori shares. “Construction and maintenance stuff started going to her.” 

Determined, dependable, dedicated — these are just some of the words used to describe Denise.

According to Lori, Summerwood rotated through a few construction hires who weren’t good fits before Denise agreed to assume both roles. In 2009, she was promoted to Director of Maintenance and Construction. She would eventually take on the title of Vice President.

“Denise was leading not just construction, but maintenance as well,” Andrew explains. “She was managing 10-plus maintenance techs and ensuring all construction projects were on schedule and on budget. It’s hard to imagine how difficult that must have been, especially as construction continuously became more active …”

“I don’t know how she did everything!” admits Rebecca Keller, Denise’s mentee and Summerwood’s Director of Maintenance.

“Denise’s legacy in the construction and maintenance department will be one of determination, hands-on expertise, and an unwavering commitment to her craft,” she adds. 

Denise’s commitment has helped instill confidence in this current transition; she’s prepared the team well. Rebecca was hired in 2021 to take on the responsibilities of the maintenance side of Summerwood.

Rebecca says that no matter how busy Denise was, she always offered to help. She says Denise mentored through experience and empowered people to believe in themselves.

“Denise is a fantastic leader in that she provides all the tools/methods necessary for success, but with the appropriate trust, allows you the space to learn and fully absorb them without being overbearing,” Andrew says about her leadership approach.

“I, as well as the company will miss her dedication, thoughtfulness and compassion,” says VP & Chief Technology Officer Terry Brown-Walker, who has worked with Denise for more than 20 years.

Fond Farewell

It’s difficult to summarize an impressive 30-year career and the legacy left behind, but suffice to say that Denise has made her mark on Summerwood! She will be missed dearly. While Denise has loved and cared for the Summerwood family extremely well, we wish her all the best as she shifts her focus to her own!