Ervin Watson, MBA

“Engaging”, “Informational” and “Insightful” are a few of the words used to describe Ervin’s presentation and training style.  He currently serves as Coordinator for Douglas County Schools in GA after two years working as a Training and Education Specialist for the GA Dept. of Education.  Ervin is a recognized leader who frequently presents at local, state and national conferences and has been selected multiple times as a Senator Richard B. Russell Leadership Series presenters at the ANC!

• Leadership Development
• Motivation/Inspiration
• Dealing with Change 
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Team Culture/ Diversity 
• Planning/Strategy
• Vision Clarity
• Amusia (“Tone Deafness”)

Kern Halls

Kern Halls, is a leader in student-centered school foodservice efforts. Kern has been called “one of the most engaging presenters” in today’s K-12 industry. His military culinary background, work experience in Orlando managing $18M in sales at Walt Disney World restaurants and serving as a senior manager in Orange County Public Schools equips him with a unique skill set. During his tenure in Orange County, the district’s FNS team received multiple recognitions and awards for their school foodservice practices. Lead by Kern, with the help of the FNS team, high school sales grew by an unprecedented 46%. Kern has developed a reputation for being an “innovator”. Kern’s goal is to help you grow and EXCEED your FNS goals to provide quality meals to students. Simply put… “he brings your customer to the table.

• Award wining K-12 Consultant 
• Cafeteria optimizer 
• Operations expert 
• Keynote speaker 
• Change agent 
• Student centered guru 

Joe Pettit

Joe Pettit has been an inspiring leader for more than two decades with 15 years restaurant experience. He stepped away from corporate food and bev into school nutrition six years ago where he currently serves as a school nutrition supervisor in Charleston, South Carolina.

A husband, father, and professional speaker, Joe is an engaging, motivating presenter as he shares his passion for school nutrition leadership, customer service, and personal growth. Delivering relevant content with instant application capabilities, audiences enjoy Joe’s authenticity, relatability, and desire to see school nutrition professionals elevate and reach their true potential.

Joe is an experienced public speaker delivering keynote and education sessions for national and state school nutrition associations, school districts, and leadership conferences. His presentation titled “Effective Customer Service Strategies: How Small Moments Create Big Momentum” was voted the #1 education session multiple times during SNA of SC 2019 summer trainings.

• Customer Service
• Leadership Development
• New Hire Onboarding and Training
• Personal and Department Growth
• Personnel Conflict Coaching

For info on keynotes and more click here!

Mike Burke

Mike Burke is the National K-12 Ambassador for Vulcan FEG. He is responsible for sales and marketing for Vulcan Cooking and Heated Holding in the US K12 School Market, a position he has held since 2013. Previously, Mike was the product manager for the steam cooking division of ITW Food Equipment Group. During his 15 years as the product manager, Mike played the role as the “voice of the customer” for the redesign of the steam cooking platform. Mike is active in School Nutrition Association (SNA) and currently sits on the following Boards; School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) and SNA Political Action Committee (PAC). Attended SNA National Legislative Action Conference (LAC) in Washington, as well as many state legislative conference, to brief congressional staff on the importance of school nutrition. Mike is also a member of School Nutrition Association Procurement Ethics and Block Grant Prevention Taskforces. During ANC2017 Mike was recognized by his peers as the Industry Member of the Year.

• Equipment Management
• ServeSafe
• Procurement
• Ethics

Liz Roesel

Liz Roesel couples her enthusiasm for marketing and the school nutrition industry by sharing her favorite marketing tactics, shortcuts, and tools with school nutrition professionals. She has taught education sessions at the 2019 SNA Annual National Conference and multiple state conferences, as well as hosted two podcasts for school nutrition professionals to share their success stories. She enjoys creating free marketing resources specifically for SNP’s, such as videos, blogs, webinars and eBooks and is a member of the national SNA Membership Committee. 

• Digital & Print Media
• Marketing
• Social Media
• Podcasting

Amanda Venezia, MEd, SNS

Amanda has been a restaurant and hospitality professional for over 15 years and is on her 10th year rocking school lunch as Director of Dining Services in Londonderry, New Hampshire. A wife, mom, and Vlogger, Amanda shares her passion for school nutrition speaking at national conferences and training professionals on front of the house and business operations but don’t discount her proficiency and creativity in the kitchen. Her love of social media marketing has put her small New England district on the map and she has won such awards as this year’s FoodService Director Magazine 2019 Rising Star.

• Social Media
• Marketing
• Team Building
• Small District Needs
• Revenue Generation
• Leadership

For more info on Amanda and keynotes click here!

Deborah Kekelik M.ED, RD

As a Registered Dietitian with an advanced degree in education, I find it meaningful to facilitate change and help others accomplish their goals.  This has been true whether I was teaching diet therapy to clients as a  clinical and outpatient dietitian, educating students as a licensed high school teacher and administrator, or enhancing the well-being of students as a director of school nutrition. My transition into foodservice was driven by my desire to help elevate the appreciation of the importance of nutrition services within the school environment. By developing student-focused programs that were purposeful and engaging, I was able to impact this goal.
Throughout my career, I believe it is important to ‘give back’ and contribute in some way, shape or form. It has been my experience when you focus on the growth of others, it allows you to add value to those around you and to those they serve.  

Kim Minestra

Kim Minestra, is the Director of Nutrition Services at Evanston Township High School in Evanston, Illinois.  She has been director for 8 years and was the assistant director for 4 years.  ETHS has an enrollment of 3,400 students in its district of one high school. ETHS also satellites out to the neighboring elementary school serving 1,600 students daily. Kim manages 28 employees and is also responsible for a large adult meal and catering program which consists of inside and outside sales bringing in $150K annually. Her department also provides 1000 meals a day to the City of Evanston camps during the summer months. Kim program also includes experience in not only the NSLP program, but also the CACFP After school snack and dinner program.
In addition, Kim runs an innovative Farm to School program that consists of 2 large gardens, a greenhouse, an orchard, a grow wall, and 4 tower gardens. Kim is an ILSNA Board Member, Illinois State SNA Past President, and past SNA Committee member. 

Karla Dumas

Karla Dumas is a registered dietitian nutritionist and Director of Food & Nutrition with Forward Food, a branch of The Humane Society of the United States. Forward Food has partnered with over 600 institutional dining operations to cultivate a more sustainable food system by increasing plant-based menu options. With a decade of experience working in school foodservice, Karla works directly with programs by developing menu cycles, recipes, and hosting hands-on culinary and nutrition workshops. Forward Food has hosted over 420 plant-based culinary trainings, reaching over 9,600 foodservice professionals. Dumas received her plant-based culinary certification through Rouxbe cooking school. She lives in Arcadia, Florida with her husband and stepdaughter where they operate a small farm animal sanctuary.

Beverly L. Girard PhD, MBA, RD, SNS

Beverly Girard is a leader and mentor in child nutrition. Beverly was the Director of Food and Nutrition Services in Sarasota County Schools, Florida for 28 years, and previously served as an Area Supervisor for Palm Beach County Schools. She has presented at numerous local, state, and national meetings, and played a key role in Child Reauthorization in 2015. She is a certified facilitator and mediator, and many of her 60+ previous dietetic interns currently hold key positions in school nutrition and the K12 industry.
Under Beverly’s direction, Sarasota County Schools was awarded many state and federal grants, including two separate $100,000 USDA Farm to School Implementation Grants. Beverly’s practical experience and sense of humor will bring your training to life!

Leslie Fowler MBA

Leslie is a 25 year K-12 veteran who has successfully lead some of the largest urban districts in the country.  She is a dynamic motivator, trainer and speaker who can help build your team’s capabilities.