PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE BREEZE Jackie Caquias with her award.

Management and employees of the local McDonald’s restaurants recently gathered at the Broadway Palm Theater to award crew member Jackie Caquias with the 2008 Southwest Florida McDonald’s Crew Person of the Year Award.

Caquias was selected for the honor from more than employees in Hendry, Collier, Charlotte, Lee, Glades and Desoto counties.

“Jackie has worked for McDonald’s for the past 10 years as a faithful crew person,” said Tim Frederic, local McDonald’s owner and operator. “She always treats her fellow employees with a great sense of sincerity and respect. Even though Jackie didn’t speak a word of English when she arrived in the U.S. over 10 years ago, she has continued to overcome this and other obstacles as she moves up the McDonald’s ladder.

“In Jackie’s role as crew trainer, she is constantly striving to ensure quality products and fast service in a positive work environment,” Frederic added.

Caquias’ advice to a new crew person: “Be honest and friendly as it takes a team effort to be successful.”

Caquias and her children, ages 10, 9 and 7, live in Cape Coral.

The second place winner was Ann Vance of Fort Myers, and third place went Alma Innings of Bonita Springs.

McDonald’s USA is a food service provider in the United States, serving a variety of foods to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchises.

Each year McDonald’s in Florida employs about 37,245 people in management, support and operations staff positions, spending nearly $464.3 million on wages and nearly $124.7 million on benefits.

For information on McDonald’s, visit: www.mcdonalds.com.