Mr Hein Olckers - Director: Operations
Hein Olckers has been involved with the hospitality industry for over two decades. He has extensive management experience and his career saw him benchmark computer literacy, marketing, advertising and delivery of customer satisfaction for the hospitality industry. Hein pioneered the Hotel Management programme for the former Free State Technikon (Bloemfontein) and lectured at the Free State Technikon’s Hotel School. He was the project manager...Learn More

Susina Jooste: Director - Academic Development
Susina Jooste is owner and director of The Private Hotel School (Pty) Ltd in Stellenbosch (PHS), a partner school of the American Hospitality Academy – International Hotel Management Schools (AHA-IHMS). She is the visionary leader of PHS. Susina is an expert in hospitality education. Susina has authored various articles in popular food magazines on culinary arts. She has conducted numerous radio interviews and presented sessions...Learn More

Dr. Deborah J. Johnson: Vice Dean, Innovation and Strategic Planning
Deborah Johnson has been actively involved in the tourism and hospitality industry for over 25 years. Deborah worked for South Africa Tourism (SATOUR) and was based in the Cape Town office (1988 -1996). She was the Head of Department for Tourism and Event Management at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT, 1996 – 2008). Deborah worked abroad for four years and was based in Saudi Arabia and was Vice...Learn More

Dr Annelie Gresse: Distant Learning Lecturer and External Moderator
Annelie Gresse was part of the pioneering team of The Private Hotel School (PHS). She was the Academic Dean of PHS and was responsible for all academic operational matters. Annelie has joined the Nelson Mandela Metropole University of Port Elizabeth as Head of Department, Dietetics. She will act as advisor to PHS and be involved as lecturer for on-line research modules and external moderator. Annelie holds a Doctorate...Learn More

Miss Erika Theron: Academic Manager
Erika Theron is the Academic Manager of The Private Hotel School (PHS) and responsible for various academic matters. Erika lecturers to first and third semester students and is responsible for the placement of students in the industry for their fourth semester internship. Erika previously worked as General Manager for African Oceans Manor, a 5 star property in Mossel Bay. She also worked as Duty Manager at the Garden Route Casino Hotel and Spa...Learn More

Ms Jeanette Barry: Lecturer
Jeanette Barry is a Lecturer in Culinary Arts at The Private Hotel School (PHS). Jeanette’s culinary passion commenced 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 the fields of Vietnam and cooking an outside buffet for Swaziland King Mswati III’s 41st birthday celebration. Jeanette worked as a personal Chef to Luca Cumani (United Kingdom...Learn More

Ms Susan Goosen: Senior Lecturer and Student Counselor
Susan Goosen is a registered industrial psychologist and has extensive counseling experience. She is an experienced educationalist and has taught at institutions such as Stellenbosch University, Varsity College, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Rhodes University, Stenden, Rand Afrikaans University, Technikon Witwatersrand and Highveld Training College. Susan worked for the National Institute for Personnel Research as...Learn More

Mr Francois Kitching: Financial Manager
Francois Kitching is the Financial Manager of The Private Hotel School (PHS). After completing his schooling career, Francois joined an audit firm in Bellville for nine years. Upon completion of his articles Francois was appointed as an audit manager. He joined PHS in 2011 and recently obtained his BCompt Degree at the University of South Africa. Learn More

Mr Marius Stols: Assistant Operations Manager and Lecturer
Marius Stols is Assistant Operations Manager and Lecturer at The Private Hotel School (PHS). Since graduating in 2009 he has held managerial positions at Tsala Treetop Lodge, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape and Tswalu Kalahari Reserve in the Van Zylsrus District, Nothern Cape. These properties are members of the world renowned Relais & Chateaux group of boutique hotels. Prior to studying towards his B Com Marius gained...Learn More

Ms Merwede Snyman: Administrative Coordinator
Merwede worked as a Faculty Coordinator for The Private Hotel School (PHS), 2006 – 2008. From 2008 to 2010 she worked as an Administrator for Crown Court, London (United Kingdom). Merwede also worked for Billabong International as an Account Manager and rejoined PHS in 2011 as the Administrative Coordinator. She assists in all aspects of administration and co-ordination of operations at PHS. Merwede holds a BA Degree in Human and...Learn More

Cindi Reiman - Founding Partner
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...Learn More

Corazon Gatchalian Ph.D. CHE - Founding Partner
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...Learn More

Chef Gene Cordova - Founding Partner
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...Learn More

Samir Thapa CHE - Founding Partner
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...Learn More