Call for Subject Matter Experts

Have You Spent Years Doing This Work—and Seen What Actually Matters?

If you’ve spent years in grill service, repair, or technical sales, you’ve probably seen a pattern:

  • Good work and bad work look very different—but customers often can’t tell
  • Safety issues get missed, minimized, or explained away
  • Experience and judgment matter more than checklists

If that resonates, you may be exactly the kind of professional AGSI is hoping to hear from.

This Page Is for Experienced Professionals

AGSI is building a certification program intended to bring clarity, credibility, and professionalism to grill service. That kind of effort only works if it reflects real practice, not theory or marketing language.

We are inviting experienced professionals to contribute insight—not to promote a credential, not to make decisions about who passes or fails, but to help ensure that what is assessed actually reflects the work.

“That’s not how it works in the field.”

“That sounds good on paper, but it misses the real risks.”

“This industry deserves better than vague claims.”

What We Mean by "SME"

At AGSI, a Subject Matter Expert (SME) is simply an experienced professional who contributes perspective and judgment to the development of certification programs.

SMEs are:

Professionals who have done the work long enough to know where theory and reality diverge—and who are willing to help close that gap.

Why AGSI Engages SMEs

As the industry evolves, certification will either reflect reality or drift toward abstraction.

SME participation helps ensure:
  • Certification reflects real-world decision-making
  • Emphasis on safety and judgment, not rote memorization
  • Avoidance of favoring any single business model

What SME Participation Is — and Is Not

Participation Is:

  • Advisory and non-decision-making
  • Focused on relevance, clarity, and professional practice
  • Limited in scope and time commitment
  • Independent of certification outcomes

Participation Is Not:

  • A requirement to become certified
  • A marketing or promotional role
  • Authority over exams, scoring, or pass/fail decisions
  • Involvement in appeals or enforcement

SMEs contribute insight. AGSI retains responsibility for certification decisions.

Who Is Typically a Good Fit

You do not need a particular title to contribute meaningfully.

Experience Profile

  • Professionals with 7+ years in grill service, repair, or technical sales
  • People who regularly make judgment calls involving safety or risk
  • Individuals respected by peers for experience rather than self-promotion
  • Professionals who care about how the industry is perceived

Independence

Certification Is Not Required: SMEs are not required to hold, pursue, or promote AGSI certification.

SME participation is intentionally independent of certification to preserve impartiality and credibility.

Time Commitment & Compensation

Time: Structured to respect your time. Defined scope, typically a 12-month term, primarily asynchronous with limited meetings.

Compensation: AGSI is currently bootstrapped. At this stage, SME participation is uncompensated. As the program matures, AGSI may introduce honoraria; participation today is based on professional contribution.

How to Express Interest

There is no formal application. If this role sounds aligned with your experience and values, please email us.

Please Include:
  • Your name
  • Where you currently work (or most recent role)
  • A brief summary of your professional experience
  • What perspective you believe you would contribute

Thank You

Professionals who choose to contribute as SMEs do so out of respect for the craft. Your experience helps ensure that certification is meaningful, fair, and worthy of trust.