TREVOR JOHN
DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Trevor joined RDA Hunter in 2011 to fill research, writing and advisory roles. He was appointed Director of Regional Development/Executive Officer in 2018.
In this role he leads an innovative organisation with a team of dedicated staff which promotes the strengths of the region, facilitates connections between Hunter business and industry leaders and creates opportunities to exchange ideas, attract investment and build the skilled workforce required by local employers.
Trevor’s previous roles include radio producer, TV audio director, film sound recordist/mixer, music recording engineer, university lecturer, chair of company board and communications manager for a local financial institution.
In his personal time, Trevor is Chair of charitable organisation the Taverners Hunter Branch, a Life Member of NUsport and occasional member of veterans’ cricket teams.
Trevor is a graduate of the Australian Film Television and Radio School, former Visiting Fellow University of London (Goldsmiths) and holds Psychology postgraduate and BA degrees from The University of Adelaide.
RICK EVANS
STEM WORKFORCE MANAGER
Rick is the Manager, Skilled Workforce Programs for RDA Hunter. He coordinates RDA Hunter’s Skilled Workforce Programs which comprise miniME, ME Program, PRIME and STEMship. They are life-stage specific, education programs that together create a pipeline of industry relevant opportunities and activities for students from primary school to University. RDA Hunter’s Skilled Workforce Programs have been recognised by the Australian Government’s Defence Industry Skilling and STEM Strategy, The Mitchell Institute’s Connecting the Worlds of Learning and Work report and the OECD’s Engaging Employers and Developing Skills at the Local Level.
Rick has a strong employment history in vocational education and training, formerly employed by the NSW Government in the Department of Industry (Training Services NSW). Prior to this, Rick worked for an Australian Apprenticeship Centre in Adelaide and Sydney.
Completing both University and VET qualifications in Newcastle, Rick is passionate about developing skills for the Hunter region’s future workforce. Outside of work, Rick is a devoted family man and enjoys developing the surfing skills of his two young children.
SARAH KANE
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATOR
Sarah started with RDA Hunter in December 2017 as their Regional Development Coordinator to assist with the administration, marketing and coordination of activities across a variety of RDA Hunter initiatives including the ME Program, miniME and Women in STEM projects.
Originally from the Upper Hunter town of Muswellbrook, Sarah re-located to Newcastle in 2010 to study a Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) at the University of Newcastle and experience the small-town vibe of the coastal city. While completing her degree, Sarah worked for State Sporting Organisation, Northern NSW Football where she gained experience in a variety of business operations from administration, finance, event management and marketing. This previous experience and the desire to continue enjoying the lifestyle that Newcastle has to offer and gain further professional experience led to her gaining employment with RDA Hunter.
Since joining RDA Hunter Sarah has enjoyed the opportunity to build relationships with Hunter region industry and education partners and coordinate a range of hands-on practical activities in the Hunter.
When she’s not working or studying her MBA you can find Sarah running around a local football field with friends, enjoying a coffee at local cafes and spending time with her partner and family.
KATE O’MARA
Kate joined RDA Hunter in 2010 to work on the organisation’s economic development and communications initiatives. She developed and implemented projects that helped achieve RDA Hunter’s vision for the region’s future including Hunter Central Coast Innovation Festivals, Hunter Innovation Scorecards, Study Hunter, Smart Happens Here and Smart Specialisation Strategy for the Hunter Region. She was also responsible for the organisation’s corporate communications.
Prior to RDA Hunter, Kate worked for economic development agency, the Hunter Economic Development Corporation, where she planned and implemented various regional marketing campaigns aimed at promoting the Hunter region as an investment location following the cessation of steelmaking in the Region.
Kate is now working in a freelance capacity with RDA Hunter and its ME Program on STEM workforce, school/industry partnership and communications projects including the 2018 STEM Workforce Conference.