I work at Chick-Fil A. A place known for their excellent customer service and chicken sandwich. I only started working there about six months ago, and the first person to show me the ropes and be nice to me was one of my managers, Deshawn Smith. Deshawn is a family man, with a wife and two year old daughter, Zuri. Deshawn has been working at Chick-Fil A for six years, and worked his way up to managerial position four years ago. Not only is he the nicest person I’ve met, he knows what he is doing and is a strong leader. He says, “I learned to become a leader through my years in the service.” Deshawn served a tour in Iraq, and he proudly wears his dog tags from that time  to work everyday.

I asked him who is inspiration was. “Definitely my father, one of the strongest men I’ve ever met.” Deshawn’s father uprooted his entire family when they were young to move to better opportunities here in Chicago. He says, “It was a struggle, and I had to adapt quickly to survive. However, I made it through and I am grateful.”

An excellent leader, and certainly someone to look up to, Deshawn is someone worthy of respect and gratitude in every way. As a veteran, someone with a beautiful family, and excellent customer service skills, he is the epitome of what a Chick-Fil A employee should be- wholesome. I look up to this man and everything he stands for, and he continues to inspire me everyday.