Dean
Michael Ryan, Dean of Hospitality & Service Occupations
Basically I started my career 18 years ago with Sheraton Inn and Suites in Lowell, Massachusetts. I took the job to help pay for college, working my way up to Front Office Manager. In 1993 after the hotel was sold twice in three months I decided to quit my job (and school) and change the scenery by visiting Seattle, following the siren call of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, microbrews, and coffee.
My visit turned into a move after I began working at the Edgewater hotel on Pier 67 as a Reservations Supervisor, where I met my future wife. I then took a job as Reservations Manager at the Mayflower Park Hotel.
In 1997 I was offered a job as a “pre-opening” GM where I would travel around the country (Seattle, Portland, Denver, Massachusetts) opening hotels, which I did for three years.
I wanted to finally finish my college degree so I went to Seattle Central Community College in order to get enough credits to transfer to the University of Washington. After graduating from SCCC in 2002 with an AA Degree and an AAS in Marine Carpentry, I attended the UW and graduated in 2006 with a BA in English.
In 2005 I was the General Manager for the Residence Inn by Marriott in Southcenter before taking over as General Manager, opening the brand new Hilton Garden Inn in Issaquah in April of 2006.
As a GM I have always been heavily involved in training, staff development, and overall operations management. My son went to the South Seattle Community College coop when he was one year old (he’s now four), where I became acquainted with South. My background managing hotels and F&B outlets, my first-hand experience as a community college student, and my desire to move my career in a more rewarding direction all led me here.
Faculty
Regina Daigneault, Faculty Coordinator/Instructor
Regina Daigneault works as the Program Coordinator and Full Time Instructor for the Wine Technology Program at South Seattle Community College. Her background spans 30 years in the restaurant and wine industries, beginning with her education in Hospitality Management at Florida International University. She’s had diverse wine sales and marketing experience as the Wine Director at Palisade Restaurant and as the Sales Manager of Cordon Selections, a local wine distributor and wine importer. Regina is certified with the Court of Master Sommeliers and is in the process of completing certification with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. She presently teaches Wine Marketing and Sales, Introduction to Wines of the World, Wine History and Appreciation, and Sensory Evaluation at the College. Contact Regina at 206-764-7942; rdaigneault@sccd.ctc.edu
Peter Bos, Instructor and Winemaker
Peter Bos has been involved in the Washington Wine Industry for over 30 years, dating from the original four premium wineries to today’s growing realm of over 530 wineries throughout the state. Peter has served as assistant winemaker at Preston Wine Cellars and Columbia Winery. He also worked as winemaker for Badger Mountain/Powers Winery, Tagaris Winery, SilverLake Winery, Mt. Baker Winery and Hyatt Winery throughout his career.
As a retailer, Peter has managed wine programs for Town and Country Markets, as well as QFC. Peter’s goal at South Seattle Community College “is to build a program that is not only a resource for our industry, but a place for industry to come and learn new skills.” Contact Peter at 206-764-7955; pbos@sccd.ctc.edu
Kathryn “Kat” House, Viticulture and Chemistry Instructor
Originally from Sonoma County, California, Kathryn House is a Masters of Science in Horticulture graduate of Washington State University. She is an active wine educator and has presented lectures and posters for Washington State Wine Grape Growers meetings, American Society of Enology and Viticulture conferences, university courses, and private events. Kathryn has interned for both Seven Hills and Les Collines Vineyards as well as Pepper Bridge Winery in Walla Walla and has worked in tasting rooms of Gloria Ferrer and Merry Cellars Winery. She is the Assistant Winemaker for Betz Family Winery and Instructor for the Northwest Wine Academy's Viticulture and Wine Chemistry courses. She lives in Seattle with her fiancé and two dogs and when not working in wine she enjoys running, traveling, exploring Seattle’s culinary scene and gardening. Contact Kat at 206-764-7944; khouse@sccd.ctc.edu.
Leonard Rede, Food and Wine Pairing Instructor
Leonard Ruiz Redé is a classically trained chef and pastry chef with over twenty years of experience in the restaurant business culminating with his award winning Restaurant Sapphire. Currently a Wine Steward for Metropolitan Market he finds himself at the center of the Washington State wine industry. As an Instructor at NW Wine Academy he gets to share his passion for all things gastronomic by leading the Food and Wine Pairing section of the program. He’ll gladly help you navigate the world of wine and is always quick with a wine pairing or recipe. Contact Leonard at 206-768-6728; lrede@sccd.ctc.edu.