07/19/2024
To be FRANK, Hotdoggers are the best people out there.
I had the privilege of becoming an Oscar Mayer Hotdogger as my first job out of college, and it was easily the most impactful time of my life and career.
Traveling the nation in a 27-foot-long Wienermobile, closing the NY Stock Exchange, chatting with Sara Haines on the TODAY show... those are all the shiny highlights that live on my resume.
But the personal highlights to me? The people. And Ed Roland was the guy who hand picked every class.
It takes a special person to be the boss, mentor, leader, and sometimes surrogate parent to an ever-changing group of 20-somethings who dedicate a whole year of their lives to enthusiastically speaking to anyone and everyone about hot dogs.
Only Ed understood what special mix of intangible qualities are needed in each person to make up a Hotdogger class.
He taught us so many phrases etched in my brain forever, like...
"Reputations are easy to get and hard to get rid of"
"It's impossible to sneak into town with a 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels." LOL
"Manage expectations and succeed" (I even have a t-shirt with this one!)
Over 100 Hotdoggers gathered together in Madison, WI this last weekend to thank Ed for his service as he officially retires from 27 years with Oscar Mayer.
I can't thank Ed enough for giving me the job of the lifetime, introducing me to colleagues that have become dear friends, and shaping me into who I am today.
FRANKS A BUNCH, ED!