Program Advisory Committee

Program Advisory Committees (PACs) consist of at least eight members. These members come from diverse backgrounds, such as the community, industry, government, other educational institutions, regulatory bodies, professional associations and organizations and labour. 

Meeting at least twice a year, each committee ensures that Centennial College programs serve the needs of the sector and our students. The committee has a critical role in ensuring that a program's courses are relevant to the needs of the marketplace.

Our program advisory committee members bring vast knowledge and experience to the table. As experts in the field, they provide input into program development through current knowledge of today’s workplace and an understanding of the types of skills and experiences employees in the HTA field will require in the future. As a result, program curriculum is kept current and responsive to market needs.

As experts in the field, committee members perform the following:

• Identify the present and future needs of the community, marketplace and other educational/training institutions, thereby providing information relevant to planning.
• Develop and implement program standards.
• Recommend learning outcomes, course content and delivery strategies.
• Ensure learning experiences are consistent with program standards.
• Contribute to the development of valid and reliable methods of student assessment, program review and evaluation.
• Support fieldwork, clinical placements and cooperative work programs.
• Advise on the selection of equipment and resources to make programs more effective.
• Source job placements for graduates.
• Assist in obtaining prizes, bursaries and scholarships for deserving students.

Veronica Brandy (Chairperson)
Director, Human Resources, Hotel InterContinental

Charles Bruce-Thompson
Consumer and Trade Specialist, Ontario Pork

Yann Girard
Sr. Consultant, Product Development, Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Recreation and Citizenship

David Martin
Professor, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Ryerson Polytechnic University

Ian Maxwell
President, Alliance Hospitality Inc.

John O'Neill
Manager, Industry Relations, Thomas Cook Travel

Cheryl Paradowski
VP and General Manager, Ontario Tourism Education Corporation

Annette Redican
Director, Client and Member Services, Tourism Toronto

Ian Turgeon
Sales Manager, Eastern Canada, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts

Julia Williams
VP, Planning and Operations, Vision Group of Companies

Raimund Zyvatkauskas
Executive Chef, the Kingsbridge Centre, and Director, Client and Member Services, Tourism Toronto