TREVOR JOHN
DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Since November 2011, Trevor has written RDA Hunter’s reports, discussion papers, submissions to government inquiries and opinion pieces on issues and opportunities for the region’s economic development.
Before joining RDA Hunter, he was a lecturer at Wagga Wagga for 3 years and Newcastle for 16 years. While at Newcastle University, Trevor was the inaugural Chair of NUsport, serving for five years. He is a Life Member of NUsport. He was a Faculty representative on University Academic Senate, Visiting Fellow at London University (Goldsmiths) and served on the boards for community radio station 2NUR, the Sports Union and the Hunter Academy of Sport.
He has owned and operated an audio production business and been employed in Marketing by the Newcastle Permanent Building Society. Trevor is a member, and former Secretary/Treasurer, of the international cricket charity, The Lord’s Taverners Australia, Hunter Branch.
In February 2018, Trevor was appointed to the dual roles of Director of Regional Development and Executive Officer for RDA Hunter
RICK EVANS
STEM WORKFORCE MANAGER
Rick is an Industry Development Officer for RDA Hunter’s ME Program. He coordinates RDA Hunter’s STEM Workforce Initiative and comprise miniME, ME Program, iSTEM and STEMship. They are life-stage specific, education programs that together create a pipeline of opportunities and activities for students from eight years of age to 18.
Rick has a strong employment history in vocational education and training, formerly employed by the Department of Industry (Training Services NSW). Training Services NSW is responsible for the implementation of funded programs, including Smart and Skilled, apprenticeships and traineeships and adult and community education in 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. He is active in initiatives such as the HunterNet Future Leaders program and innovation projects in the region. 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 the Administration and Marketing Officer for a variety of RDA Hunter initiatives such as the ME Program, STEMship and miniME projects.
Before starting with RDA Hunter, Sarah worked for Northern NSW Football as the Executive Administration and Venue Services Coordinator at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility. Whilst working at Northern NSW Football, Sarah completed a Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) from the University of Newcastle in 2017.
Throughout her time at Northern NSW Football, Sarah gained experience in a variety of business operations from administration, finance, event management and marketing. Sarah is looking forward to developing these skills further with RDA Hunter and is passionate about working in projects that benefit the Hunter region
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.