Retiring at the end of 2024, Morrison Division President John Cipollini is best known for developing his people, advocating for his teams, and fostering an inclusive culture throughout his operations.
His strong business acumen certainly sets him apart, but Cipollini’s team also appreciates his exceptional ability to cultivate a genuine “team” culture within his division, as well as the steadfast support he provided to his leaders, particularly during challenging situations.
“Whenever there was a major issue with an account, John would say, ‘We are all in this together,'” says Regional Vice President Suzanne Schoby. “John had our backs and made everyone realize we were not alone. He created a culture of support that enabled us to thrive. It’s a phrase I still repeat to my team whenever times get a little tough.”
Cipollini joined Morrison in 2008 and, since that time, has served in various leadership roles and is most notably responsible for supporting the growth of Morrison’s impressive health system business from Chicago to the West Coast.
Several of Cipollini’s team members and peers expressed their appreciation for him across a variety of topics.
Advocacy for His Teams
“John was always an advocate for me and others on his team,” says Division Chef Lucas Cavin. “More than once, he would compliment me for building a strong team and always made recommendations to make me better. Once, when we opened a ghost kitchen at a hospital in Seattle, he told me he’d never seen something open so smoothly. He gave me the confidence to be extremely calm in high-stress situations.”
Division President Glenn Robinson says: “John is invested in his people and is always thinking about them first, especially the frontline associates. He understands the importance of communication, whether it’s to a client, a peer, ora frontline associate. No matter how difficult a situation is, he communicates in a way that leads us to a possible solution.”
Division President Peter Lanois says, “He was the first person I worked with who broke down the silos within leadership teams. He broke new ground by collaborating with other divisions, whether we were sharing talent, best practices, or our success. By encouraging the regions to work as one unit, he made us a better company.”
An Advocate for Inclusion
“Without a doubt, John will leave a legacy as a leader who promoted women and supported their growth to senior leadership positions,” says Schoby. “When we met 14 years ago, I was a dietitian and patient services manager. Over the years, he recommended me for several leadership development courses that opened new career opportunities. He also understands the challenges women face in their careers while raising children and how to balance both.”
“He taught me never to doubt myself,” says Regional Vice President Joyce Kruesopon. “He has allowed me to make my own decisions and learn from my mistakes.”
Adds Cavin: “His legacy of inclusion has meant that people from different levels of management are brought in to attend region meetings. I remember attending a regional meeting of his long before I was a division chef. He made certain that everyone had a place where they could be heard, and he knew hearing from a variety of people would make us all better.”
Business Acumen
“John’s approach was to be an entrepreneur, to try and figure out how to do something better,” says Lanois. “Whether it was about operating an existing account or seeking new business, he was always asking, ‘What can we do, what should we do instead of accepting the status quo?'”
His Impact on His Teams
“He encouraged me to believe in myself,” says Schoby. “At the same time, he gave me direct and honest feedback whenever a difficult issue came up. He’s very real. That’s so important whenever I faced a difficult issue or decision. And then he helped us pick ourselves up and move on.”
“John demonstrated a high level of trust in his people, especially the new leaders,” says Lanois. “He was willing to let them skin their own knees and make mistakes, but he always backed them up. Everyone knows his famous quote for solving an issue: ‘It’s water under the bridge, let’s move on.”
Says Cavin: “He taught me the importance of staying true to myself and having the courage to challenge the status quo. Authenticity and curiosity are the keys to making a meaningful impact in the organization.”
“The love for his team was palpable and is lasting,” says Kruesopon. “The true friendship we developed over the years will live on.”
