Faculty

Michael R. Bird

Executive Chef • Associate Professor
Hotel, Restaurant, Culinary Arts

A self-taught chef, Michael started cooking professionally since he was 12 and now celebrates his 44th year in food, beverage, and hospitality.

At 20, he served as an Executive Chef on the Robert E. Lee, a renowned steamboat-restaurant on the Mississippi River.

Working his way up from various hourly positions to management level, Michael ran and supervised daily operations in a plethora of foodservice facilities such as hospitals and social clubs, and famous Southern California landmarks including the Queen Mary, the Biltmore, Hilton, and Disneyland hotels.

His wealth of experience in this industry makes him a living contemporary historian on the development and growth of the foodservice enterprise in Orange County.

Under his supervision, Michael revived the once-dormant Culinary Arts program at Cypress College that now boasts a growth of over 500% in student enrollment over the past eight years.

Currently an Associate Professor and Chair of the Hotel, Restaurant, Culinary, Arts Department (HRC), Michael has enjoyed the last two years developing and designing the world-class HRC facility at NOCCCD-Anaheim Campus, where students today can hone their skills and strive for professional advancement in a real-time, state-of-the-art setting.

Michael can be reached at (714) 808-4555 or via e-mail at mbird@nocccd.edu .

Certifications, Accomplishments, and Associations

• Certified Executive Chef
• Certified Culinary Educator
• Certified Hospitality Administrator, American Hotel Lodging Association
• Recipient, Cypress College Staff Development Award (1997)
• Recipient, National Teaching Award of Excellence
• Recipient, FHA/HERO State High School Home Economics and Culinary Academies
• Nominee, The Carnegie Foundation U.S. Professor of the Year
• Founding member, Foodservice Educators Network International

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Lisa A. Clark

Department Chair • Assistant Professor
Hotel, Restaurant, Culinary Arts

An internationally Certified Hospitality Educator, Lisa Clark teaches Hospitality Management courses and manages the HRC Department's programs as well.

Having earned two teaching credentials and completed graduate work at UCLA and University of San Diego (USD), Lisa has also taught hospitality and education courses for American River Community College, UC Davis, North Orange County ROP, and USD.

Formerly a Director of Human Resources at King's Seafood Company and Sheraton Hotels, Lisa's industry experience of over 15 years at major hotels and restaurant companies allows her to bring credence and relevance to her curriculum at HRC. She continues to act as a consultant for the hospitality industry.

Students benefit from Lisa's enthusiastic delivery, knowledge, and extensive industry network.

Lisa can be reached at (714) 808-4551 or via e-mail at lclark@nocccd.edu .

Academic Background:

• B.A., Organizational Communications, California State University, Sacramento
• B.A., Spanish, California State University, Sacramento
• Graduate studies, University of California, Los Angeles
• Graduate studies, University of San Diego

Certifications, Accomplishments, and Associations

• Certified Hospitality Educator, American Hotel Lodging Association
• Active member, California Restaurant Association
• Active member, Anaheim Area American Hotel Lodging Association
• Active member, International Council of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Educators
• Active member, Round Table for Foodservice Professionals
• Active member, Guest Service Association, Orange County

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