“My greatest joy is seeing the residents happy.”

In June 2026, Tray Mobley, ARISE Health Center Dining Services Supervisor, will mark seven years of dedicated service to Covenant Village residents, providing warm, gracious hospitality and exceptional culinary care.

Tray’s path to Covenant Village was not initially rooted in culinary arts. Early in his career, he worked in Human Resources, but later he embraced an opportunity in dining services at Westminster Towers, a retirement community in Rock Hill, SC, where he spent six years in health center dining. His true calling became clear when he stepped in to cover a colleague’s medical leave, fueling his passion for culinary management.

Determined to grow toward becoming a culinary production manager, Tray sought to learn every role in culinary production. When he saw a job posting at Covenant Village on Indeed, he applied. Under the guidance of Glynn Ziehm, then director of food and nutrition, Tray diligently worked from stock to cooking to prep and beyond, dedicated to his goals.

His commitment to professional growth continued with ongoing education. In Spring 2025, Tray was awarded Covenant Village’s Sarah Leigh Continuing Education Scholarship, enabling him to attend online classes to earn his CDM (Certified Dietary Manager) credential, a program that requires 150 hours and a final exam. The scholarship helped cover the $550 course fee.

That same year, Tray began leading the dietary and dining team in Covenant Village’s health center. His role as ARISE Health Center Dining Services Supervisor was officially recognized by CCL, Covenant’s new dining and hospitality partner, in the Fall.

Tray loves the Covenant Village environment. “Everyone works together, and I value the relationships beyond the dining department,” he shares.

His greatest joy comes from seeing residents happy. “I love doing things in dining that they enjoy and look forward to. It feels good to be needed, and their appreciation motivates me,” Tray says. He reflects on the importance of attentive service and community connection, which have shaped his approach and inspired him to serve with empathy and leadership.

“We take for granted the needs of our residents,” he said.

This has led Tray to focus on four goals as he serves residents:

1. I want to listen to their concerns.

2. I want residents to feel heard.

3. I will always ask myself and my team, ‘How can we make it better?’

4. As I work with my colleagues, I want them to think like leaders in whatever role they have.

As he envisions the future of dining in the Health Center, Tray is motivated by a desire to foster community and bring more residents into the Dining Room.

“I asked a resident why she didn’t come to the dining room. When I learned there was something she didn’t like, we made a change. She returned, and she told me, ‘I am going to come because you asked.’ That’s the impact we can have,” Tray said.

This holiday season, Tray and his colleagues will receive bonuses funded by residents, family members, and friends through the Workforce Investment/Staff Bonus Fund, in recognition of their dedicated service.

“It makes me feel appreciated because I know residents don’t have to do this for us. It’s inspiring to see their kindness,” Tray shared. Each year, he shares his bonus with his sisters, single parents raising his four young nephews and niece, ages 11, 9, 7, and 4, reflecting his generous spirit and commitment to family.

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At Covenant Village, service and care are shown through first-name relationships and attentive care that isn’t limited by time, provided by trained, compassionate staff who often feel like extended family. Supporting the annual Workforce Investment/Staff Bonus fund is a way to express appreciation. Donations can be made online at covenantvillagenc.com/giving.