Meet The Instructors

Raise The Grade is proud to have experienced instructors who collectively have over 250 years of experience in the areas of hospitality/lodging, food service, customer service, and other relevant industries. Each student leaves class armed with more knowledge of food safety/sanitation and with a positive, up-beat, and professional passion for the food service & hospitality industry.

Josh Cooke
Josh CookeExecutive Director of Training
The funny people person.
Jacob Young
Jacob YoungExecutive Director of Operations
Second funniest & good with numbers and logistics.
Alonso Rodriguez
Alonso RodriguezSpanish and English Training Specialist
As a fine cigar and bourbon/tequila connoisseur, he brings the handsome and the taste to the group.
Laura Hernandez-GarciaSpanish and English Training Specialist
Brings the exuberant and youthful energy to the group, reminding us we are young at heart.
Ron Mazaleski
Ron MazaleskiTraining Specialist
Has a voice which melts butter, and has personally been the maître d’ for Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett.
Bill Bauer
Bill BauerTraining Specialist
He has generously adopted us as nephews/neices, and by far the BEST golfer of the group.
Maria Anderson
Maria AndersonTraining Specialist
She is the hardest working person we know, and she does it every minute of each day with a smile!
Mark Knox
Mark KnoxTraining Specialist
Frequently mistaken for Howie Mandel – also a born educator who shares his gifts with the ministry.
Randy Stallings
Randy StallingsTraining Specialist
He is the Master Pickler of the group (he’s awesome at pickleball) while bringing the southern charm and hospitality.
Betty Telford
Betty TelfordTraining Specialist
A born teacher who brings the class to the group; she keeps us all in line.
Ross Jackson
Ross JacksonTraining Specialist
His 50+ years in the industry bring a wealth of experience, while his laugh and warmth bring to mind Santa Claus.