Getting to Know: Samantha Smith

Smith can’t help but sound amazed that she helped open Wichita’s west-side Olive Garden in 2006.

“Wow, time really flies,” she said.

Not that she’s been standing still. A server and full-time college student at the time, Smith went on to earn a degree in criminal justice from Wichita State University, thinking she might want to become a sheriff’s deputy.

Deciding that career wasn’t right for her, she then spent two years in New Hampshire and Massachusetts as an AmeriCorps member, working to reduce the high school dropout rate.

Ultimately, she decided to return to Olive Garden. She also has worked for the company as a bartender, service trainer, serve manager and culinary manager, and helped open an Olive Garden in Hutchinson. She was named general manager of the city’s east location in October.

Smith said Darden, the parent company of Olive Garden and the largest full-service dining company in the world, embodies many of the same values as nonprofits that she admires. She likes helping employees with their careers.

“We are known for being a great company to work for,” she said. “I take pride in that.”

And she enjoys interacting with customers.

“It’s real exciting to get to meet people every day.”

Joe Stumpe

This story was originally published May 23, 2017 at 9:55 AM with the headline "Getting to Know: Samantha Smith."