AMBASSADORS
The Trades2Trainer™ Ambassador Team comes from all over the country and have many years of experience in CTE. These experts serve a variety of roles on the team from trainers, to mentors, to collaborators.
Mark Wilson
Oklahoma | Workforce Training & Leadership
A firm believer in breakfast food and that a handshake and your word mean more than any contract, Mark N. Wilson brings more than 30 years of relationship building and customer service expertise from his manufacturing and state government background to each training experience. Mark is a speaker, trainer and coach for the John Maxwell team. Mark uses his humor, positivity and empathy to add value to clients while helping them understand that emotion drives the bottom line. Mark is passionate about guiding people to discover their purpose and learning to live a life of significance as they continue their personal growth journeys.
andrea Golden-Pogue
Oklahoma | Healthcare & Leadership
A devout believer that you have to touch a heart before you ask for a hand, Andrea loves people and it shows! Andrea Golden-Pogue is known for delivering high-impact, engaging workshops. She has worked extensively in healthcare, small business consulting, career and technical education, higher education, leadership and personal & professional development. She shares with all audiences her zest for life, her passion, and energy surrounding her desire to contribute and add value in every situation. Andrea is a Registered Nurse who has worked in nursing from babies to aging. She is also certified as a Personify Leadership Trainer and is a trainer for the John Maxwell Team. Her latest passion is in the area of Emotional Intelligence, use of the Enneagram, and Resilience in professional development and corporate trainings. Her philosophy of taking care of people translates into her teachings and coaching sessions. She contributes to teams and organizations long after the training is over. Andrea customizes programs and creates presentations for any and all groups.
Sheila Cower
Texas | Hospitality, Culinary, & CTSOs
Sheila Clower, M.Ed., MBA, is a seasoned facilitator, leadership coach, and hospitality educator who helps emerging and mid-career leaders turn communication into meaningful connection. With more than two decades of experience across entrepreneurship, culinary arts, hospitality, and national nonprofit leadership, she brings a uniquely practical and people-centered approach to developing others. A former business owner turned educator, Sheila blends real-world operational insight with research-based leadership strategies, ensuring every session is both experiential and immediately applicable. She teaches in the Culinary, Pastry, and Hospitality program at Dallas College, where she prepares students for leadership in service-driven industries and designs initiatives that strengthen behavioral awareness, communication, and professional resilience.
Beyond the classroom, Sheila’s commitment to excellence extends to the national stage. She believes competition sharpens competence and has spent more than a decade advancing technical and leadership education through SkillsUSA and WorldSkills. She has served as the Texas State Restaurant Service Technical Chair, a member of the SkillsUSA National Education Team, and the National Technical Co-Chair for Restaurant Service; she currently represents the United States as the WorldSkills USA Expert in Restaurant Service. Through Coach 35 Productions, Sheila partners with organizations seeking stronger team communication, confident new leaders, and strategic facilitation grounded in clarity, connection, and real-world application.
Beyond the classroom, Sheila’s commitment to excellence extends to the national stage. She believes competition sharpens competence and has spent more than a decade advancing technical and leadership education through SkillsUSA and WorldSkills. She has served as the Texas State Restaurant Service Technical Chair, a member of the SkillsUSA National Education Team, and the National Technical Co-Chair for Restaurant Service; she currently represents the United States as the WorldSkills USA Expert in Restaurant Service. Through Coach 35 Productions, Sheila partners with organizations seeking stronger team communication, confident new leaders, and strategic facilitation grounded in clarity, connection, and real-world application.
Gena Gesing
Iowa | Work-Based Learning & Grants
Gena specializes in Consulting, Contracting, and SME, Strategic Design, Facilitation, and Custom Resource Development. K-12 Education, Postsecondary Education, Federal, State, Local Grant Management, Professional Associations, Workforce Development, Work-Based Learning Ecosystems, Career Services Strategy, Education and Workforce Partnerships, Grant Technical Assistance, and Rural CTE and Regional Collaboration Strategy.
Josh Hamilton
Maryland | Industry Partnerships
Passionate about building stronger workforces through strategic development and meaningful partnerships. With over 15 years of experience in Human Resources, Josh’s career has focused on aligning training and education with business goals including empowering employees, supporting community growth, and driving long-term success. He brings extensive experience supporting manufacturing and supply chain environments. Known for a people-first mindset and a strong belief that inclusive, intentional talent strategies are key to building organizations where both individuals and culture thrive.
earl Frederick
Washington | Culinary
Chef R. Earl Frederick Jr. has nearly 30 years of experience as a line cook, sous chef, executive chef, culinary arts instructor, kitchen manager and catering chef. He graduated from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI, and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Warner Pacific College in Portland, OR. That background led to chef positions with Walt Disney World, Club Med, Nike, and Intel. Chef Frederick has been certified by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) as a Certified Executive Chef and a Certified Evaluator. He is also a Certified ServSafe instructor and proctor. He is also co-founder of The Portland Kitchen, a free program teaching culinary skills, social skills, and healthy disciplines to teens. He also serves on the board of directors for Stone Soup (Portland, OR), Vancouver Public Schools Education Committee (Vancouver, WA) and the Vancouver Farmer’s Market (Vancouver, WA).
Dr. NiñaFe Awong
Florida | Professional Development, AI, Incarcerated Training Programs
Dr. NiñaFe Awong is an experienced Career Technical Education (CTE) professional with over 19 years of experience in workforce development, educational leadership, and project management. NiñaFe’s primary mission has been to align CTE programs with industry needs. She has developed and implemented robust statewide initiatives, policies, and programs that drive student achievement and prepare learners for high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand careers. NiñaFe has also effectively managed federal and state funding, while successfully navigating complex legislative and regulatory landscapes, ensuring compliance and delivering measurable outcomes. NiñaFe has helped to refocus organizational lenses to recognize and reprioritize CTE at local and state levels. As a product of CTE education, she strongly advocates student-centered learning, supports instructor development, and believes in forging strategic partnerships that enrich educational experiences. NiñaFe is passionate about removing barriers and creating opportunities for learners to thrive and excel in their chosen careers.
Larry Paredes
California | Welding & Construction
Larry Paredes is a full-time Industrial Science Instructor. Born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley, Larry left to serve in the United States Navy as a Corpsman and Field Medic with the U.S. Marine Corps. After spending more than twenty years in the private sector as a welder, fabricator, and machinist. Larry followed his dream to become a welding instructor to teach others the trade that he is so passionate about. Teaching both in the pre and post-secondary levels.
Larry has a Certificate in Welding Technology from Reedley College and a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Fresno Pacific University, and K-12 CTE teaching credential. Is certified with NCCER’s (National Center for Construction Education and Research) as an instructor, OSHA Authorized Construction Trainer, and has completed ACUE’s (Association of College and University Educators) certification in effective teaching practices. In March 2022 he was awarded a Fellowship with the Association of Career Technical Educators to study the latest educational trends in CTE. Currently he is an Industrial Technology Instructor at Coalinga College, Coalinga CA and is attending Pacifica Graduate Institute’s PhD Program in Community Psychology.Beyond the classroom, Sheila’s commitment to excellence extends to the national stage. She believes competition sharpens competence and has spent more than a decade advancing technical and leadership education through SkillsUSA and WorldSkills. She has served as the Texas State Restaurant Service Technical Chair, a member of the SkillsUSA National Education Team, and the National Technical Co-Chair for Restaurant Service; she currently represents the United States as the WorldSkills USA Expert in Restaurant Service. Through Coach 35 Productions, Sheila partners with organizations seeking stronger team communication, confident new leaders, and strategic facilitation grounded in clarity, connection, and real-world application.
Larry has a Certificate in Welding Technology from Reedley College and a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Fresno Pacific University, and K-12 CTE teaching credential. Is certified with NCCER’s (National Center for Construction Education and Research) as an instructor, OSHA Authorized Construction Trainer, and has completed ACUE’s (Association of College and University Educators) certification in effective teaching practices. In March 2022 he was awarded a Fellowship with the Association of Career Technical Educators to study the latest educational trends in CTE. Currently he is an Industrial Technology Instructor at Coalinga College, Coalinga CA and is attending Pacifica Graduate Institute’s PhD Program in Community Psychology.Beyond the classroom, Sheila’s commitment to excellence extends to the national stage. She believes competition sharpens competence and has spent more than a decade advancing technical and leadership education through SkillsUSA and WorldSkills. She has served as the Texas State Restaurant Service Technical Chair, a member of the SkillsUSA National Education Team, and the National Technical Co-Chair for Restaurant Service; she currently represents the United States as the WorldSkills USA Expert in Restaurant Service. Through Coach 35 Productions, Sheila partners with organizations seeking stronger team communication, confident new leaders, and strategic facilitation grounded in clarity, connection, and real-world application.
Susannah Keneda
Texas | Middle and High School Foods
At this point in her CTE journey, Susannah Keneda’s area of specialty is the Human Services career pathway. Her foundation with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech began this journey for her many decades ago. When she was hired at her current position at Bedford Junior High, the room had been empty for at least six years. She has worked hard to build this program at Bedford Junior High and support the high school with students ready for the pathway and certifications they include. She has taught all of the Human Services classes available in Texas. The course she currently teaches is Principles of Human Services, and it is the introduction to the human services career cluster. She loves this course as it allows students to sample all of the careers within the human service field. In HEB ISD, they have a waiver from the state where her course also counts as students’ health credit. Many teachers within Texas struggle to teach Principles of Human Services as it is so broad. She connects with teachers all over the state to help them develop a foundation course that encourages students to learn more within the field. Susannah is incredibly involved on campus and within her district. She has a very close relationship with the PTA as their support is instrumental in the connection she has with parents and the community. She serves on several district-level committees as she wants to remind all district employees of the importance of what CTE does and how they support all students—special education, emerging bilingual, at-risk students—in their programs. They have a place for students at all levels to succeed. She loves what she does, but what she loves even more is watching students develop and execute new skills that they had no idea they could do. She loves connecting students with the world. She loves to challenge them with projects and thinking outside of the box. This field will always be in demand, and a prepared workforce is key to our economy and families. Susannah lives for those “A-HA!” moments from students.
Eric Taylor
Kentucky | Criminal Justice, Public Safety, & Aviation
Eric Taylor is a strong believer that leadership begins with service. Eric has been a law enforcement/corrections professional for almost 15 years, and has been in leadership and training for nearly his entire adult life. Eric is currently employed as a patrol sergeant with the Paducah KY Police Department. During his time there, he has served as a collision reconstruction, digital forensics examiner, small unmanned aircraft pilot, detective, and training officer/supervisor. He is the Lead Advisor for Law Enforcement Post 111. In his spare time, Eric volunteers as his son’s den leader. He enjoys flying, and is currently working towards obtaining a flight instructor certificate.