Directors, Faculty and Founding Partners
| Mr Hein Olckers - Director: Operations |
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Hein Olckers has over two decades of extensive management experience in the hotel and entertainment industry. His comprehensive knowledge and skills were employed to project manage the entire hotel management component for the inception of the five-star Santé Wellness Centre in Simondium, Paarl which opened in September 2003. This commission followed upon his return from America following a successful two-year contract as hotel manager of the highly acclaimed, prestigious Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel in California, which hosts global industry leaders, celebrities and Hollywood stars.
His ability to teach and transfer knowledge saw him develop and start up a hotel management course for the Free State Technikon (Bloemfontein). He also lectured at the Technikon's Hotel School. He holds a National Diploma in Hotel Management(Wits Technikon) and an internationally recognised Certified Hospitality Educator (by the renowned Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association). Hein also completed courses in Strategic Marketing and Strategic Hospitality Management at Cornell University (Itacha, New York, USA) in 2001.
During his career locally he managed both resort and specialised hotels ranging from Kruger Park Lodge (Hazyview), the Strand Hotel (Swakopmund, Namibia), the Alpine Heath Resort and Conference Village (Drakensberg) as well as Sun International's Thaba 'Nchu Sun Hotel and Casino and luxury Western Cape hotels Lord Charles (Somerset West) and Cape Sun.
His project management skills and ability to enable team work saw him refurbish the prestigious Carlton (Johannesburg) and Royal (Durban) Hotels as special projects manager for Three Cities Hotels. Apart from seasoned people and management skills, his career saw him develop computer literacy, marketing and advertising acumen and, above all, the discipline to ensure customer satisfaction and delivery by both staff and suppliers.
- American Hospitality Academy Master Licence holder.
- AHA Certified Educator.
- Associated training properties include: Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, The Ritz Carlton, Sheraton and Westin.
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| Mrs Susina Jooste - Director: Academic Development |
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Susina Jooste is co-owner and director of The Private Hotel School Pty (Ltd) in Stellenbosch, a partner school of the American Hospitality Academy - International Hotel Management Schools (AHA-IHMS). She is responsible for the academic development of students and in charge of the culinary education and training development of the business. Whereas most higher educational institutions in South Africa have abandoned programmes for hospitality management, thus eliminating possibilities for tuition of educators, Susina was instrumental in the development of a cutting edge diploma programme to address the lack of opportunities in hospitality education. This advanced Diploma in Hospitality Education has received accreditation from South Africa's Council on Higher Education.
Susina is involved internationally as board member of the American Hospitality Academy and has contributed significantly to the developmpent of the curriculum for AHA-IHMS. She travels regularly to international campuses of the AHA-IHMS as guest lecturer in culinary arts and wine studies.
Susina holds a B Home Economics (Ed) (University Stellenbosch), B. Ed Honours (University of Potchefstroom) and has recently finished her Master's degree (University of Stellenbosch) with research topic: "A Curriculum Framework for Continuous Professional Development in Culinary Arts." She has also completed continuing-education programmes at The Culinary Institute of America (New York), as well as a short course at Le Cordon Bleu (Paris), and the Diploma in Professional Cooking from City and Guilds of London. She is one of the most dedicated culinary professionals you will ever come across.
Susina pioneered the implementation of the school subject Hospitality Studies in the formerly known Cape Provence and was the chief examinar for 5 years in the Northern Cape Province for this subject. Susina is currently consulting the Western Cape Education Department and individual schools, on the implementation of Hospitality Studies and is teaching the module "Food Trends" on a part time base to post graduate education students at the Univeristy of Western Cape. Since 1998 Susina has been co-ordinating annual workshops for educators and students from all provinces of South Africa and Namibia.
Susina is an expert in and passionate about food and wine education. She has written various articles in popular food magazines on this topic, had radio interviews on related topics and has presented 13 episodes on national television about ostrich meat. With over 30 years educational experience and a passion to inspire others to grow as culinary professionals she has a very unique ability of combining the art of cooking with a scientific understanding.
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| Dr Annelie Gresse - Academic Dean |
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Annelie Gresse was appointed as Academic Dean from 01 June 2008 and is responsible for academic operational matters. Dr. Gresse obtained an Honours B Sc Home Economics at the University of Stellenbosch, a M Sc Home Economics at the University of the Orange Free State and D Sc (Dietetics) at the: Potchefstroom University of Christian Higher Education. She lectured at various Universities since 1983 and held various management positions at academic institutions since 1992.
Since 1985 she was involved in more than 20 research projects of a nutritional/dietetic or educational matter and one of the main authors in five peer-reviewed articles and a number of manuals that were published. She reported on research projects at national and international conferences in South Africa and Australia, was the main speaker at different symposiums, offered workshops at conferences and participated in many workshops. She completed additional courses in facilitation and assessment, moderation, curriculum design, quality management and departmental leadership. She undertook various study tours, to Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Germany, England and Ireland. |
| Mrs Suzelle Els - Lecturer and Placement Coordinator |
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Suzelle Els studied at the Technikon Pretoria and completed her three year Diploma in Tourism in 1990.
After her studies, she travelled to France and spent two years working on a wine estate, Chateau de Nitray, in the Loire Valley as a tour guide on the estate. She quickly mastered the language and obtained a certificate in conversational French from the Alliance Française in Paris.
The combination of her certificate from the Cape Wine Academy and experience gained in the wine industry in France, qualified her to be employed by Graham Beck Wines where she worked in the International Export Division as Personal Assistant to the Marketing Manager of Graham Beck Wines and liaising with the French clients.
It was her ability to fluently speak the language that opened doors to her career in the Hospitality Industry six years later when she was appointed by International Hotel Development Corporation. She was recruited as Assistant General Manager for an island Resort on Principe Island in West Africa. Eight months later, she was promoted to General Manager of, a sister hotel within the group, on a close by island called Sao Tome where she spent another two and a half years.
On her return to South Africa she furthered her Hospitality career with Relais Hotels, South Africa as a General Manager of two of their properties. Relais South Africa rewarded Suzelle the Tenacity award at the Annual General Manager's Dinner in 2002. She took a sabbatical and travelled to Scotland where she managed a Guest House for three months in the absence of the owners.
Her training career started in November 2003 with IHT Hotel School as lecturer and Industry Placement co-coordinator. She also served on their Academic Committee. Suzelle was selected in 2004 to represent IHT Hotel School at an Educational Conference at the Regency Hotel School in South Australia. Suzelle is a registered Assessor with the National Competency Network.
As lecturer and placement coordinator, Suzelle's experience in hospitality operations, national and internationally is an advantage to Private Hotel School. |
| Miss Erika Theron - Lecturer: Hospitality Management |
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Erika Studied at IHT Hotel school from 2006 to 2008 to complete Diploma in Hospitality Management (cum laude). She then furthered her studies at CPUT Granger Bay Hotel School in 2009, and completed the BTech Degree in Hospitality Management (cum laude).
During her studies (internships), she fulfilled the role of general manager at African Oceans Manor, a 5 star property in Mossel Bay. Erika also worked as Duty Manager at the Garden Route Casino Hotel and Spa in Mossel Bay and during her final year of studies, assisted IHT Hotel School with administrative duties and marketing activities.
Erika will be responsible for the teaching of first year subjects in Hospitality Management and will act as a mentor for first semester students.
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| Miss Jeanette Barry - Junior Lecturer: Culinary Arts |
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Jeanette Barry's culinary excitement started in Africa on a guide and cooking safari. Since then she has continued to expand her culinary adventures to Cambodia deep-frying tarantulas, planting rice in Vietnam and cooking an outside buffet for Swaziland King Mswati III's 41st birthday celebration.
Jeanette studied at the ICA in Stellenbosch for two years from 2005 to 2007 and completed her Diploma in Culinary Arts. During her studies there she did her internship at Singita Game Reserve, voted Best Hotel in the World (Con de Nast Traveller). One week after her final exam, she left the country to be the personal chef for one of Britain's well-known thoroughbred horse trainers, Italian Luca Cumani. Visiting the Royal Ascot - hat and all!
Between Cambridgeshire and Isle of Skye, she's been the personal chef for Major Colville, moving onto Scotland's West coast. She found herself working for the world-renowned writer, cook and cookery demonstrator, Lady Claire MacDonald's Kinloch Lodge, Skye's only Michelin star restaurant. Jeanette was one of 6 chefs lead by Head Chef Marcello Tully, who was trained by Roux Brothers'.
Finding her feet back in South Africa, she finished an Interior course at BHC School of Design at the Old Biscuit Mill, and completed her internship at In.tu.it Signature Concepts. Since then she has moved on to become branch manager and demo chef at Pretoria Girls High Food & Wine show in 2009, having the honour to cook with Lacanches and the latest Sous vide methods.
Jeanette joined the Private Hotel School in July 2010 as junior lecturer in culinary arts.
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| Francois Kitching - Accountant |
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After completing his schooling career, Francois worked at an audit firm in Bellville for 9 years as an audit manager. He is currently enrolled at UNISA for a BCompt. degree and wishes to complete his studies during this year.
Francois joined The Private Hotel School in February 2011 as the accountant. |
| Berta Du Toit - Lecturer |
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Berta is currently a junior lecturer at the Private Hotel School. She completed her NDip in 2007 and her BTech degree in Hospitality Management in 2008 at The Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State. She completed her first year experiential training at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Cape Town and her second experiential training at The Bay Hotel, Cape Town. While obtaining her BTech degree in 2008 she acted as a Supplementary Instructor for the first year students at the CUT.
In 2009 she was employed at the CUT as an assistant lecturer, where she lectured until the end of 2010. She is also currently enrolled for her MTech degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management at the CUT and is planning to obtain it in 2012.
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| Merwede Snyman – Administrative Coordinator |
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Merwede Snyman completed her BA degree in Human and Social Dynamics in 2005 at the University of the Free State, majoring in Psychology. She then started her career at The Private Hotel School in 2006 as Faculty Coordinator until 2008. The following 2 years she made London her home and worked in a Crown Court as an Administrator. Returning to South Africa she found herself back in her home town, Jeffreys Bay working as an account manager at Billabong International.
Merwede rejoined The Private Hotel School in January 2011 as Administrative Coordinator assisting in all aspects of administration and co-ordination of operations at the school.
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Founding Partners
For founding partners Cindi Reiman, Dr. Corazon Gatchalian, Samir Thapa and Gene Cordova, AHA International Hotel Management Schools are a "natural next step" in their dual vision to provide tomorrow's hospitality leaders with an innovative and comprehensive practical training and academic experience, and to create a better world through education, integrity and cultural understanding.
| Cindi Reiman |
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As Founder and President of the American Hospitality Academy, Cindi Reiman has spent twenty years perfecting the art of practical hospitality training.
Her practical methodologies, inspirational philosophies and dedication to excellence have earned her the respect and admiration of hospitality industry leaders, hospitality educators, and literally thousands of young people around the world.
Today, more than 1000 students from academic institutions around the world participate annually in the AHA's United States training programs. |
| Corazon Gatchalian Ph.D. CHE |
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A recognized academic leader throughout the Philippines, and in the Asia Pacific region, Dr. Corazon F. Gatchalian is a Professor of Hospitality Management at the University of the Philippines, the country's premier university and where she was the former Chair of the Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management.
A Certified Hospitality Educator, Dr. Gatchalian serves as the Academic Director for AHA-IHMS Corporate, ensuring that all academic curricula attain and maintain a consistent high quality, in accordance with AHA- IHMS standards. |
| Samir Thapa CHE |
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As Founder and Principal of the AHA Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management in Kathmandu -- the premier hotel school in Nepal -- Samir Thapa brings a wealth of experience, expertise and multi-cultural enthusiasm to his position as Co-Founder of AHA-IHMS.
A Certified Hospitality Educator, Mr. Thapa holds an MBA in Hospitality Management from the United States.
Prior to founding AHA Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management in his home country of Nepal, Mr. Thapa completed a comprehensive post-graduate program in Switzerland. |
| Chef Gene Cordova |
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Chef Gene Cordova is a graduate of top culinary schools in Europe and USA - Le Cordon Bleu-Paris, Ecole de Ritz Escoffier-Paris, Culinary Institute of America - and holds a Degree in Business Administration from Fordham University, USA.
He was a pioneer, faculty instructor, administrator and marketing director of Center of Culinary Arts Manila (CCA), and Chef Instructor of the International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management (ISCHAM) and the University of the Philippines. |
1. Lecturer: Hospitality Management
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