Mentors to the 2024 Silver Plate Class 

Jeremy Kelley, Director of Legends Affairs | Carolina Panthers

• Mentor to Jen and Jon Corto, Owners and Founders | Buffalo Strive 

Wallace Doolin, Co-Founder | Black Box Intelligence

• Mentor to Roz Mallet, CEO & President | PhaseNext Hospitality 

Tom Newcomb, Owner & Principal | Corporate Dining, Inc. & Campus Dining, Inc. 

• Mentor to Damian Monticello, Director, Enterprise Hospitality and Event Services | GuideWell

Julie Jones, Director of Performance Learning | Ruck-Shockey Associates

• Mentor to David Reeves, System Director, Food and Nutrition Services | Lee Health

Stan Harris, President and CEO | Louisiana Restaurant Association

• Mentor to Melvin Rodrigue, President | Galatoire's Restaurant 

Tim Backes, Former Associate Director of Dining Services | University of New Mexico

• Mentor to Kirk Rodriguez, Senior Director of Hospitality Services and the Student Union & Activities | Texas Tech

Fred Podesta, Chief Operations Officer | Seattle Public Schools

• Mentor to Aaron Smith, Director of Culinary Services | Seattle Public Schools

Ralph Alvarez, Chairman | First Watch Restaurant Group

• Mentor to Chris Tomasso, President & CEO | First Watch Restaurant Group