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Dr. Padron is a Professor and Program Coordinator of Hospitality and Tourism Program. He has been an educator since fall 2004, and is also an Instructor of Hospitality Management at College of Marin. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor of Restaurant, Hotel, and Tourism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, for two years, and an Assistant Professor of Resort Management at Lakeland University in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, for eight years. He has taught a range of undergraduate and graduate courses on campus, hybrid, and online, and has taught internationally, having conducted study abroad courses and trips taking students to places such as Cancun, Mexico; Tamarindo, Costa Rica; The Bahamas; Seoul, South Korea; and Tokyo, Japan.

Dr. Padron has held many positions in the hospitality industry, including Chef, Sous Chef, Banquet Chef, Director of Catering, Foodservice Director, Foodservice Manager, and many other positions that are under those listed. His passion is the hospitality industry, specifically the event and food and beverage sectors as well as the travel and tourism industries. He also is very passionate about professionalism and etiquette and hosts webinars and etiquette dinner at various universities. He has published textbook chapters and case studies in a number of physical and online textbooks, as well as have published research articles in a vast number of academic journals in all tiers, and industry publications. He also regularly attends and presents at industry conferences, leading other hospitality faculty groups and connecting with industry professionals. In 2025, Dr. Padron received the IAEE Bob Dallmeyer Educator of the Year Award for my years of education contributions to the meeting and events industry that includes volunteer work with associations.

Dr. Padron’s education consists of the following:

• Ph.D. in Business Organization & Management with a specialization in Leadership from Capella University
• Master of Science Degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management with a specialization in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management with a concentration in Food & Beverage from the University of Wisconsin-Stout
• Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Madison College (formerly Madison Area Technical College)
• Vocational Diploma in Food Service Production from Madison College (formerly Madison Area Technical College)

Dr. Padron is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) through the Events Industry Council (EIC), a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE), a Certified Wedding Planner (CWP) through The Certified Wedding Planner Society (CWPS), and a Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP) through the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. He obtained MY SF Tourism Industry Certification as an Ambassador for San Francisco, as well as the Food Handler Certification. He is a member of the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) and the West Federation. Additional industry memberships include: Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), having served as the faculty chair for each of these associations as well as having memberships in the International Live Events Association (ILEA), California Restaurant Association (CRA), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and the California Travel Association (CTA).