Kathy Oakley, executive director for Child Nutrition Services for Alamance-Burlington Schools, was awarded the Mary Long Beasley Distinguished Service Award by the School Nutrition Association of North Carolina.
Each year the award goes to a director of a school nutrition program whose career shows a dedication to serving children and contributing to the profession.
Oakley’s nomination letters praised her concern for needy children and for keeping the ABSS program financially stable in the face of changing federal directives and rising food costs.
Oakley started her career with Burlington City Schools 38 years ago, working her way up from a cafeteria manager to direct the district’s program. She is a graduate of Alamance Community College and has an associate’s degree in food service.