Saputo Honors January Difference Makers

Wesley Crawford, Lora Hopper, and Carolyn Leftrick recognized for their contributions

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Saputo, a food manufacturing company based in Sulphur Springs, Texas, has announced its January Difference Makers - Wesley Crawford, Lora Hopper, and Carolyn Leftrick. The three employees were recognized for their outstanding work ethic, problem-solving skills, and dedication to keeping the company's distribution centers running smoothly.

Why it matters

Recognizing and rewarding exceptional employees is crucial for maintaining morale, retaining talent, and fostering a positive company culture. Saputo's Difference Maker program highlights the contributions of frontline workers who play a vital role in the company's operations.

The details

Wesley Crawford started at Saputo in 2002 as a forklift operator and worked his way up to become the Inventory Lead, leveraging his floor experience to effectively manage inventory and solve problems. Lora Hopper joined the company in 2014 as a Distribution Clerk and now serves as the Appointment Scheduling Clerk, keeping paperwork accurate and coordinating with customer service and carriers. Carolyn Leftrick has been with Saputo since 2005, working as a forklift operator in the Vault area and volunteering for company and community events.

  • Wesley Crawford joined Saputo in October 2002.
  • Lora Hopper joined Saputo in December 2014.
  • Carolyn Leftrick joined Saputo in December 2005.

The players

Wesley Crawford

A Saputo employee who started as a forklift operator and worked his way up to become the Inventory Lead, leveraging his floor experience to effectively manage inventory and solve problems.

Lora Hopper

A Saputo employee who joined the company in 2014 as a Distribution Clerk and now serves as the Appointment Scheduling Clerk, keeping paperwork accurate and coordinating with customer service and carriers.

Carolyn Leftrick

A Saputo employee who has been with the company since 2005, working as a forklift operator in the Vault area and volunteering for company and community events.

Nathan Ridner

A Saputo executive who recognized the January Difference Makers.

Joe Wallace

A Saputo executive who announced the recognition of the January Difference Makers.

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What they’re saying

“Wes has a strong work ethic and never stops until the job is done. His role is essential in keeping the distribution centers running smoothly.”

— Nathan Ridner, Saputo Executive (frontporchnewstexas.com)

“Lora keeps our paperwork accurate, compliant, and organized, and she handles a fast paced workload with consistency that keeps both DCs running smoothly.”

— Nathan Ridner, Saputo Executive (frontporchnewstexas.com)

“Carolyn keeps pallets moving efficiently to DC1 and DC2 and takes pride in keeping the vault running smoothly. She also volunteers regularly for company and community events.”

— Nathan Ridner, Saputo Executive (frontporchnewstexas.com)

“Congratulations to each of you and thank you for everything you do for Saputo! Your dedication and hard work truly make a difference.”

— Joe Wallace, Saputo Executive (frontporchnewstexas.com)

What’s next

The January Difference Makers will be recognized on billboards around Sulphur Springs, and they will each receive a Difference Maker shirt as a token of Saputo's appreciation.

The takeaway

Saputo's Difference Maker program highlights the crucial contributions of frontline workers, fostering a positive company culture and recognizing the hard work and dedication of employees who are essential to the company's success.