The Future in Focus: COO Vision Award Winners

Summerwood’s COO Vision Award arose out of the desire to recognize servant leadership among our restaurant ranks. At the core, this is about fulfilling our longstanding mission to passionately serve others while also having a vision for people’s futures within Summerwood.

The Vision Award is the highest honor given out by our COO!

Summerwood Chief Operating Officer (COO) Bret B. says this is inspired by the support he experienced early in his own career. “It’s what people did for me,” Bret shares. “They saw something in me. And they helped me develop and grow, and become something I never thought I could be.”

Congratulations to this year’s COO Vision Award Winners! Each unique in their own ways, Bret shared his perspective on individual leader’s strengths and impact:

Deanna L.
#015885, Whitehall, PA

Deanna took over MacArthur Road in 2025 when it was in the red and marred with cultural issues. Once she arrived, Deanna’s leadership had an immediate, positive impact! She really brought the team together and taught them how to work, think and treat each other with respect. With a new MacArthur in 2026, the sky’s the limit for Deanna and her team!

Itzel M.
#40027, Essex, MD

Itzel took Brooklyn Park – a low volume dual brand Taco Bell/Long John Silver’s in Maryland – and turned the location completely around. Sales and operations metrics went through the roof! According to Bret, Itzel has been the best leader to date at this restaurant.

Maria A.
#005181, Chestnuthill, DE

Maria excels in every aspect of this business. She ran our Bear, DE Taco Bell for seven years and most recently took the reins at the Chestnut Hill, DE Taco Bell (for which we are extremely grateful). Because of Maria, any team she manages feels an immediate impact from her presence and is met with a safe, positive working environment.