Ron has 26 years experience in the Hospitality/Tourism Industry. His qualifications include Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, Diploma in Management and Leadership, and a Bachelor of Business (Hotel and Catering), majoring in Tourism, from Southern Cross University.

Ron has been a teacher for the last 5 years and enjoys sharing his industry experience in the classroom with students to highlight and bring to life the units taught.

Ron also enjoys learning and is enrolled in a Masters Degree in Vocational Education. His hobbies include dining, going to movies, scenic tours, and visiting museums.

Maria Luisa B. Mercado
maria.mercado@strathfieldcollege.edu.au

Maria has been a trainer in Diploma in Business Administration and hospitality management since 2003 and currently consults at selected RTOs. Maria obtained a Bachelor of Business Education majoring in Business Distributive Arts from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in 1990, an Advanced Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Supervision at Ryde TAFE in 1995, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment at Australian Learning Institute in 2006, and has one more subject left in completing a Master of Education majoring in Adult Education at the University of Technology Sydney.

Maria's employment history has evolved in food service and food retail management from 1993 to 2003 with many Top 200 companies according to ANZ Investment & Advice, www.anz.com.au, namely; Woolworths, David Jones, as well as  KFC Restaurants and Sizzler Family Restaurant. 

She currently owns and operates a 60 seat café in Chippendale, Sydney, specializing in an all day breakfast menu and typical café food. Under the same operation, she also offers consultation on event management for special family occasion events and office catering.

Maria has 4 children and 2 grandchildren, enjoys reading, cooking and is an avid fan of law and order TV drama. She is still very much truly motivated and passionate about learning, teaching and training others to realize their potential.

Deirdre D’Souza  
deirdre.dsouza@strathfieldcollege.edu.au
 
Masters in Social Science, BA (Psychology & Sociology), Diploma in Business Management, Certificate in Training &  Assessment, Financial Service & Customer Training Deirdre is a dedicated Business Teacher at Strathfield College for more than a year and enjoys the challenging role it offers. Having vast exposure in business fields with extensive corporate experience in areas such as banking and finance, investment securities, manufacturing and distribution, she imparts this valuable knowledge to students.
 
Her experience of teaching in culturally diversified settings has led her to understand international students with an open mind.  Students will quickly recognise her skills for resolving issues when needed. She understands the importance of employability skills especially those for adapting to change, change management and teamwork skills. These exceptional qualities gained her a position as the VET Director of Studies – Assessment.  When she is not at work, she enjoys reading, socializing and travelling besides being a ‘busy mum’.

Stephen Rodwell 
steve.rodwell@strathfieldcollege.edu.au

Stephen has over eighteen years experience working in various industries starting with a Corporate Productions company in central London in the early nineties and culminating in running the biggest purpose built nightclub in the southern hemisphere here in Sydney. He has worked as a general manager for initially small businesses and moving onto multimillion dollar income companies and therefore has a plethora of colourful ‘war stories’ not only of how to do things the right way but also exactly what not to do in many areas of setting up and running an effective business.

During his career in hospitality he regularly competed in Australia's bar-tending competitions, was awarded third best new bar in Australia, won drink of the month in Bartender magazine three times, arranged the national Malaysian flair competition and consulted on the opening and turn around of numerous bars and clubs. He is still an active Human Resources and People Management Consultant and was contracted as the operations manager and acting licensee of last year's Sydney Winter Festival and is presently working with some of Kings Cross' best venues.

A couple of years ago Steve made the move into vocational training and has been happily elaborating on his experiences in front of international students since. He has also recently decided to return to studies and has enrolled in an MBA starting in July.