A retiree in Placerville, California, Linda Spies worked as a food service director for over 30 years with the Gold Trail Union School District. She covered both the Gold Trail and Sutter's Mill schools and was responsible for creating menus, ordering and receiving ingredients, preparing and serving meals, and managing student accounts. Linda Spies also filed reports to the school board and attended food shows and conferences when necessary.

Linda Spies enjoyed providing kids with nutritious meals and related with her students and co-workers as a family. She also valued the daily routine of her job. She is a proponent of healthy school meals, particularly vending machines with only healthy options.

Upon retirement, Mrs. Spies spends much of her free time in arts and crafts and volunteering for local organizations. She enjoys sewing and counted-cross stitching and is learning quilting. Mrs. Spies has volunteered for veterans organizations and sewn lap quilts and wheelchair and walker bags for veterans. She also volunteers at her local church and Marshall Hospital.