Wheaton's McDonald drive-up staffer offers more than a sack of food
Kendric Welch could be like a lot of teens and young adults who work at a fast-food restaurant. Just work after school or weekends to pick up a few extra dollars for expenses and move on.
But Welch is on a mission of sorts. He staffs the drive-up window at McDonald's in Wheaton while working his way through college. And he talks with customers, makes kids laugh, asks about their day or sings a song. Because of his outgoing attitude, he's become a legend on the Wheaton IL Moms Facebook group, A posting about him in early January has since garnered more than 140 likes and seven pages of compliments.
"My job first is to make the customers feel at home and have them leave with a smile," said Welch, 21.
The private Facebook group said Welch would ask about a customer's sick relative, or what they ate for dinner last night, or how their holiday shopping went. He would talk about the Chicago Bears, or something new in his life, said Becca Hary, a spokeswoman for Oak Brook-based McDonald's Corp.
Welch caught the attention of McDonald's executives. He now has been chosen to attend McDonald's Worldwide Convention in Orlando, Florida, in April with all expenses paid. He'll join about 15,000 other employees and will be honored as a crew member who has gone above and beyond his regular duties to make a good experience for customers, Hary said.
The outgoing personality, friendliness, customer service and customer reaction, have helped him to earn the trip, said the restaurant general manager Tricia Fuller.
"He helps out the team and makes the restaurant run well. That is his strong point," Fuller said. "He works the drive-thrus window mostly and the kids just love him. He makes them laugh."
It always hasn't been fun for Welch. He grew up in Wheaton with his single mom trying to make ends meet while raising him and his two sisters.
"It wasn't easy for my mom, but she did the best she could," he said.
They now live in Chicago and he has been working toward a bachelor's degree in criminal justice at Chicago State University.
But he's torn. He wants to help people with a career in criminal justice. But he's having fun at McDonald's and can see himself carving out a career there as well, he said.
"God has my back and I've been very blessed," he said. "I would love to stay at McDonald's or go into criminal justice. I know I'll have to make some great decisions in the future and it's all changing so fast. It's like moving on to another chapter in life."
Chamber exec to leave
Jane Hove, president and CEO of the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce, has decided to move on, she said. She told chamber members on Dec. 15 and plans to leave in late February. She and her husband, John Butts, plan to stay in Bloomingdale. She's not retiring, she said. "Just need something different," she added. "I will start my ninth year next month, made many great changes, now time for someone new to take over." The chamber is seeking her replacement.
Anti-Valentine's event
Kelly Murray, a manager at iLoveKickboxing in Aurora, said they will be having a so-called anti-Valentine's Day event called "Shred Your Ex." Men and women can burn calories on Feb. 13 by placing their ex's photo on a heavy bag, and punch and kick away ... without finding themselves in the local police station.
FastTracks
Hoffman Estates resident Peter M. Caliendo, president of Schaumburg-based Caliendo Sports International, was in Rome, Italy, last week for the International Sports Group Prague Coaches Clinic. ... John A. Mennie has been promoted to associate at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard PC in Waukegan.
He joined the firm as a contract attorney in 2014 and concentrates on personal injury and medical malpractice cases.
Rich Cordova has been promoted to senior vice president, practice leader at Assurance Financial Services in Schaumburg.
Steven A. Migala and Heather Guilette Walser were made equity partners in early January at Lavelle Law of Palatine. ... Joseph F. Eazor, CEO and president of Earthlink Inc., which provides IT services and communications, has joined the board of directors for Discover Financial Services in Riverwoods.
Curtis S. Lane is leaving Feb. 29 from the board of directors of Surgical Care Affiliates Inc. in Deerfield. He is senior managing director of MTS Health Investors, a merchant banking firm focused on health care. ... Rick Good has been appointed to senior vice president of in-building wireless and Oscar Hernandez as senior vice president of engineering and outside plant at Westell Technologies Inc. in Aurora.
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