Confessions of Eileen Staples

Eileen Staples, director of food and nutrition services for Greenville County Schools, in South Carolina, wishes she had some interior decorating skills and would coach collegiate basketball if she weren’t in foodservice.

Q. What is the best part of your job?

My staff. They are awesome!!

Q. What is the worst part of your job?

Human resource issues.

Q. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

My husband and I raising two great kids.

Q. If you weren't in foodservice what would you be doing?

Coaching basketball at the collegiate level.

Q. Which talent would you most like to have?

Interior design. I always have a difficult time selecting color schemes for my house.

Q. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Less OCD.

Q. What is your greatest fear?

Not being able to exercise.

Q. Which living person do you most admire?

My parents. You never understand the sacrifices they made for you until you have your own children.

Q. What is your favorite meal?

Buffalo, N.Y., pizza with an adult beverage and a chocolate custard cone for dessert.

Q. What is your guilty pleasure?

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.

Q. What will people always find in your refrigerator?

Fresh vegetables.

Q. Read the book or see the movie?

Read the book.

Q. Are you a morning or evening person?

Related:Eileen Staples: Staying Ahead

Morning, but the older I get, getting up early has less appeal.

Q. What are your words to live by?

Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort level. You will never know what you might be able to achieve until you do.

Q. If you had a time machine what historical event or era would you visit?

Nineteenth century America. 

Q. What do you value most in a friend?

Integrity.

Q. What would be your dream vacation?

A house with a pool on a deserted beach.

Q. If you could eat dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?

Zbignew Brzezinski.

Q. What is your most treasured possession?

Family photos.

Q. What activity is at the top of your bucket list?

Getting my second child through college so maybe I could go into consulting.