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<\/div>\n Ervin Watson, MBA<\/h2>\n
\u201cEngaging\u201d, \u201cInformational\u201d and \u201cInsightful\u201d are a few of the words used to describe Ervin\u2019s presentation and training style.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n Kern Halls, is a leader in student-centered school foodservice efforts.\u00a0Kern has been called \u201cone of the most engaging presenters\u201d in today\u2019s\u00a0K-12 industry.\u00a0His military culinary background, work experience in Orlando\u00a0managing $18M in sales at Walt Disney World restaurants and serving\u00a0as a senior manager in Orange County Public Schools equips him\u00a0with a unique skill set. During his tenure in\u00a0Orange County, the district\u2019s FNS team received multiple recognitions\u00a0and awards for their school foodservice practices. Lead by Kern, with the\u00a0help of the FNS team, high school sales grew by an unprecedented 46%.\u00a0Kern has developed a reputation for being an \u201cinnovator\u201d. Kern\u2019s goal is to help\u00a0you grow and EXCEED your FNS goals to provide quality meals to\u00a0students. Simply put\u2026 \u201che brings your customer to the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n Joe Pettit has been an inspiring leader for\nmore than two decades with 15 years restaurant experience. He stepped away from\ncorporate food and bev into school nutrition six years ago where he currently\nserves as a school nutrition supervisor in Charleston, South Carolina. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A husband, father, and professional speaker, Joe is an\nengaging, motivating presenter as he shares his passion for school nutrition\nleadership, customer service, and personal growth. Delivering relevant content\nwith instant application capabilities, audiences enjoy Joe\u2019s authenticity,\nrelatability, and desire to see school nutrition professionals elevate and\nreach their true potential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Joe is an experienced public speaker\ndelivering keynote and education sessions for national and state school\nnutrition associations, school districts, and leadership conferences. His\npresentation titled \u201cEffective Customer Service Strategies: How Small Moments\nCreate Big Momentum\u201d was voted the #1 education session multiple times during\nSNA of SC 2019 summer trainings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For info on keynotes and more click here!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n 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 \u201cvoice of the customer\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\nLiz 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\u2019s, such as videos, blogs, webinars and eBooks and is a member of the national SNA Membership Committee. \n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more info on Amanda and keynotes click here!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n As a Registered Dietitian with an advanced degree in education, I find it meaningful to facilitate change and help others accomplish their goals.\u00a0 This has been true whether I was teaching diet therapy to clients as a \u00a0clinical 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.\u00a0My 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. 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.![\"Kern](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nxtgeninnovators.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Kern-Halls-copy.jpg?resize=500%2C419&ssl=1\")
<\/div>\n Kern Halls<\/h2>\n
![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nxtgeninnovators.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Joe-Pettit.jpg?resize=500%2C419&ssl=1\")
<\/div>\n Joe Pettit<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n Mike Burke<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n Liz Roesel<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n Amanda Venezia, MEd, SNS<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n Deborah Kekelik M.ED, RD<\/h2>\n
Throughout my career, I believe it is important to \u2018give back\u2019 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. \u00a0 <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>![\"kim-minestra\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nxtgeninnovators.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Kim-Minestra-2.jpg?resize=500%2C419&ssl=1\")
<\/div>\n Kim Minestra<\/h2>\n
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. <\/p>\n