DIERKS FOODS, INC.
Executive Vice President
Institutional Distribution
633 Third Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10017


Dear Stan,

I would like to present an individual as a nominee for Sales Representative of the Month. I have known Don Johnson for almost four years. I was initially impressed with his professionalism and organization when I was with the Park Corporation and worked with Don and his customers developing the NIFDA coffee program at Dierks Foods.

Last June, I joined Dierks Foods as Sales Manager, and in the past eight months have witnessed first hand, Don's dedication to the business and his customers.

Don has been with Dierks Foods for less than five years. Starting without an established route, today he services over ninety accounts. He works closely with his customers to show them his total program can help them to operate more efficiently, devoting less time and resources to the purchasing, receiving, and stocking functions.

In developing new customers, Don first sells himself and his service, then sells the Dierks organization, and lastly sells his products. Whenever possible he trys to use the expertise of sales specialists on the Dierks Sales force to give customers just the right products for their application. This approach has built his customers' purchases to an annual volume of over a million and a half dollars.

Don is a very results oriented person. He likes to be judged on his performance and is always one of the top finishers in local promotions and campaigns. The creativity his customers have come to expect was recognized when he was one of the top finishers in a national "Target Seafood" promotion. Don is a person who is respected by his customers and his peers and is an individual who is an asset to our industry.


Sincerely,

Richard C. Walther