Page 15 - Everything I Know About Business I Learned

Acknowledgments

principles on which I based this book. Ron Bailey, Jim Lewis, Paul
Hendel, Sam Munroe, Tony Liedtke, Sam Samaha, Rick McCoy,
Sal Baglieri, Joe Liegeois, Roland Jones, Irv Klein, and Rick Yan-
doli were all great in their comments to me.
Our supplier network was there as well to lend its assistance
to me. I am grateful to Frank Kuchuris, Peter Grimm, Pat
Paterno, and Ted Perlman for their help.
I also want to personally acknowledge four wonderful
women who over a span of 26 years, the time I spent working
directly for McDonald’s corporation, assisted me in so many
ways, far beyond what the title of administrative assistant belies.
Anyone who has been in management knows the value of a
great administrative assistant, and I was fortunate to have four
of them. Their unwavering support and guidance during the
years that I learned how to navigate the issues that arose, is truly
appreciated. Patrice Tryman, Toni DiBlasio, Toni Liegeois, and
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Mary Calabro…my thanks.
Of course, there is one woman whose support and advice
proved to be vital in my success with the corporation. I met her
when I was 18 and working the grill at McDonald’s. She ordered
her hamburger plain, with no onions or pickles, and she still
does . . . that woman is my wife, Maureen. With her quiet and
gentle demeanor, she gained the respect of the corporate staff
and the owner/operators within the region. I can honestly say
that without her, this career would not have been, and I for one,
am truly grateful.
There are also a few people who were very influential to me
during my career as well as those previously mentioned. Unfor-
tunately they have since passed away, but I want to remember
them as well: Dan Radice, Mike Young, Lou Damiano, Andy
Savastano, and Jim Cantalupo. They have all helped me in
numerous ways, and their friendship was warmly felt.