2009
Lawrence S. Albert Purveyor, Louis Albert & Son Foods Company Single Source, Ltd.
Leo Fascianella Chef, Pasta Amore
Joseph Patane Owner, Manager and Director, La Casa Pizzaria
Gary L. Rezac Purveyor, Pegler Sysco, Lincoln
Michael Simmonds Owner, Manager and Director, Simmonds Restaurant Management
Lawrence S. Albert
Purveyor, Louis Albert & Son Foods Company Single Source, Ltd.
At 16 years old, he and his father started Albert & Son Foods Company. For more than 50 years, he was immersed in the salad dressing business. He was president of the Albert’s division of Holsum Foods, Ventura Foods and Westin Foods; Founder and President of Single Source, Ltd.; member and Chairman of the Douglas County Board of Health; Chairman of the admissions board for the Omaha Hospitality Hall of Fame; member of Veteran's Hospital Patient Safety Committee; and counselor for food business entrepreneurs.
Leo Fascianella
Chef, Pasta Amore
He came to America from Sicily in 1972. He worked and learned from different executive chefs at Golden Apple, Blue Fox Restaurant and Le Versailles in Omaha; the Red Lion, Vail, Colo.; and Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, Nev. He opened Pasta Amore as Owner/Chef in 1986. He has done food preparation and demonstrations for the American Italian Heritage Association, served as a mentor in MCC's Culinary Arts Program, been a guest Chef for the March of Dimes and participated in Dine Out for Hunger and Dine Out for Life. He was a member of the Rockbrook Merchants Association and Webfoot Lodge Hunting and Gourmet Club. He received the American Italian Heritage Society's Excellence in Culinary Demonstrations, Certification of Appreciation from MCC's Culinary Arts students, a Diamond Award AAA Rotary Award and was a Ronald Reagan Gold Medal Winner (2004). Pasta Amore was voted Best Italian Restaurant by Omaha Magazine readers. He has been the subject of many newspaper articles over the years.
Joseph Patane
Owner, Manager and Director, La Casa Pizzaria
He was born in Catania, Sicily, and came to American at age 18. Having apprenticed as a carpenter, his first job was with the railroad. He then worked for Omaha Fixture & Supply, eventually becoming a parnter in the firm. He started Nebraska Fixture & Supply and operated that for 20 years. He opened La Casa Pizzaria in 1953 with his three daughters. He single-handedly converted their home into the restaurant, building coolers, cabinets and the bar. A second location, La Casa West, opened in 1965 and is operated by a grandchild. More than 50 years later, La Case Pizzaria is still operating in its original location and is operated by three of his nine grandchildren. He was also an actor and director for the Italian Drama Club.
Gary L. Rezac
Purveyor, Pegler Sysco, Lincoln
He started his work career in the supermarket industry for eight years. He started his career with Sysco when he joined Pegler Sysco in Lincoln, Neb., as a sales trainee. He worked as a Marketing Associate in Grand Island and then performed as Sales Manager for Western Nebraska. He was promoted to Distribution Sales Manager for Omaha and returned to Lincoln as Sales Manager in 1989. He became Vice President of Sales in 1995, Senior Vice President in 1997 and President in 2000. He was a board member of the Nebraska Restaurant Association, Junior Achievement Board and Omaha Restaurant Association.
Michael Simmonds
Owner, Manager and Director, Simmonds Restaurant Management
His first Burger King job was in 1970 as an Assistant Manager in Decatur, Ala. He worked for six years as Restaurant Manager and District Manager. He opened his first Burger King in 1976. He operated 90 restaurants branded as Burger King, Taco John's and Jimmy John's. His family also manages an active real estate portfolio. He served on the original Operations Council and Marketing Council of BKC, was President and Vice President of the Mid-America Franchisee Association, board member for the National Franchisee Association and board member for the Salvation Army, Special Olympics Nebraska, Junior Achievement of the Midlands, Methodist Hospital, Bellevue University, Sacred Heart Schools, Boy Scouts, Arthritis Foundation and Merrymakers. He has chaired many events in Omaha including the Salvation Army Tree of Lights Campaign and the Gathering for Sacred Heart Schools.