The guiding principle of Soil2Service leadership is the improvement of all communities, individuals and systems. This principle is held in the highest regard for the Executive Director, Board of Directors and anyone participating in the organization. Leadership in Soil2Service abides by the five principles outlined below and work to develop anyone involved with the organization to understand and adopt the principles.
Individual Mastery
The concept of knowing oneself and continually improving and learning. We must always be willing to grow, develop and master our individual selves.
Trust
Having trust in the decisions, process and concepts that are shared to better Soil2Service. Trust that the decision, actions and events conducted in the name of Soil2Service will enhance the mission.
Safety in Communication
When engaged in communication, the right to speak your mind is guaranteed to all individuals. Every idea will be heard and treated with professionalism and respect.
Systems Thinking
We must think outside of ourselves. What will the impact have on all the systems? We will filter all ideas, projects and events through a systems approach.
Metanoia – Shift of the Mind
Impart a sense of metanoia. We will go beyond everyday learning and work to impart a shift in mindset for the people we touch. Every individual encounter will allow the opportunity to improve humanity. With metanoia, the long-lasting effect may be achieved.
Board of Directors

Eric Abbey, PhD.
Eric has been working in the restaurant industry for 25 years. Starting as a bus boy and moving through the front of the house as a waiter and the bartender at a 4-star restaurant gave him the knowledge and skills of the entire front of the house. As a sensei in a Japanese martial art he was drawn to Japanese culture and began working at Japanese restaurants in Michigan. Moving to New York City he gained a bartending position at a four diamond Japanese restaurant a block away from the Waldorf Astoria hotel. Here he served many famous people and continued to develop his style for customer service. After returning to Michigan he continued bartending at local breweries and other corporate restaurants expanding his knowledge of restaurant management and customer service. Eric’s focus on the elegance of the dining experience for the customer has always been the key to his success. The server, and service must not be distracting or noticed by the customer but should be felt.
Eric is also a full professor of literature at a prominent Community College and received his Doctoral degree from Wayne StateUniversity. His teaching and educational background focuses on postmodern drama and music. For the past 15 years, he has been teaching and researching best practices in assessment and education. He is also the founder of the Eastern Kendo Club at Eastern Michigan University and has been an instructor since its founding in 1997. His publications include Garage Rock and Its Roots: Musical Rebels and the Drive for Individuality, a monograph on McFarland Books and Hardcore, Punk, and Other Junk: Aggressive Sounds in Contemporary Music, an edited collection on Lexington Books which appears in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum library.

Mike Hix
Mike Hix has worked as a consultant for over 23 years. His attention to detail and passion for service has carried him up the ladder at several high-profile companies including his present positions Client Services Executive for Emtec Inc. an IT consultancy company. Mike has been awarded many top performance awards over his career. Mike is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
While IT is his profession, Mike is a novice food critic; sampling food and service everywhere his job takes him. His love and understanding of good food and service goes beyond the average diner. Mike is married with two children.
Mike Hix joins the Soil2Service, Inc. Board of Directors with a unique understanding of food and service coupled with the desire to make a positive difference in the lives of the people that work in the food system.

Geoffrey Q. Devereaux
Being born and raised in Detroit gives Geoffrey a unique advantage in connecting with people in the community and helping others through service. After serving one tour of duty with the United States Air Force, Geoffrey worked at the Internal Revenue Service before turning his focus to the non-profit sector. Currently he serves as the Executive Director of No Veteran Left Behind, a Detroit Based non-profit focused on helping all Military Veterans receive access to the services they need.
As a member of the Soil2Service Board, he continually helps in spreading the word of our mission and participates at every event that he can. An active member of the service community he also participated in a start up to assist senior citizens and low-income residents with income and property tax issues.
His love of food and the power of hospitality to heal is a wonderful fit with Soil2Service.
“I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.” – George Washington Carver

Danielle Todd
Danielle Todd has worked in marketing and communications for 15+ years and holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Wayne State University. She is an advocate for eliminating food waste, so much so in 2017 she founded Make Food Not Waste. Danielle brings a passion for sharing knowledge and education with the community. Her expertise in marketing and communications, along with her passion for food brings added value to the Soil2Service board.
Founded in 2017, Make Food Not Waste helps businesses and individuals gain the skills needed to prevent sending food to landfills. Through partnerships with local and national organizations, Make Food Not Waste supports a variety of prevention, recovery, and diversion efforts to help build a waste-free future.
“This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!” – Julia Child
Operations Team

Jeremy Abbey, WCMC, CEC, CEPC, CCE, CCA
Improving the human condition through all things positive, focusing on food has been the guiding principle in Jeremy’s life for over a decade. The power of connectivity and the possibilities of improving human capital through food, hospitality and the culinary arts has led to Soil2Service.
A Detroit native, Jeremy has worked in some of Detroit’s premier restaurants and has opened some of the most influential hospitality concepts in the nation. From fine dining to retail to hospitals and education, his diverse experience in the culinary arts has allowed him to affect the lives of many, now on a global scale. By challenging his skill set through international competition and the startup of DUO, he earned the World Certified Master Chef designation from World Chefs along with the Certified Executive Chef, Executive Pastry Chef, Culinary Educator and Culinary Administrator from the American Culinary Federation. He holds a degree in Culinary Arts and a degree in Sustainable Agriculture. Jeremy has run a successful catering and consulting operation for more than 20 years and has consulted on the opening of multi-million dollar concepts by creating culinary “stories” to differentiate concepts in the market place.
Jeremy’s writings and recipes have been published in both national and international publications covering topics including seasonal ingredients and certification but primarily focusing the conversation on social sustainability in the hospitality industry. “Soil2Service has been a dream of mine. To create a place for food to be the focus, from growing it to serving it. We hope to make a difference in the communities that we are involved in and look forward to hearing from you.”
“Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness. “ – Esscoffier

John T. Piazza, CEC, CCA
Chef Piazza’s career in the world of culinary arts and business management reflects his creativity, versatility and entrepreneurial spirit. John started working in restaurant kitchens at the age of 15. He graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in Hotel and Restaurant Management. He later earned an Associate Degree of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY.
After years as a chef and restaurant operator, John joined a post-secondary institution in the Metro Detroit area to create and direct a multi-campus culinary arts school. John has joined the American Culinary Federation Educational Foundation as both a post-secondary school accreditation evaluator and an ACF certification practical exam evaluator. Currently, John is the Executive Director of Business Development for Soil2Service, Inc., a project consultant for the American Culinary Federation, and the treasurer of the Michigan Chef’s de Cuisine Association. Chef Piazza’s view on hospitality culture and his commitment to
people brings a unique edge to the team.
Detroit Institute of Gastronomy
Academic
Eric Abbey, PhD
Academic Adjunct Professor
Veteran Support Services Team

Geoffrey Devereaux
Veteran Concierge Specialist
edibleWOW
Robb Harper
Director of Development