Jason Berner

Jason Berner – Dean at Contra Costa College

It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Travis Hiner. I have known Travis since January 2016, when he began working as the Theatre Staging Specialist (TSS) at Contra Costa College in Richmond, California. As dean of the Liberal Arts Division, I supervised Travis in this position.

From the moment he was hired, Travis began establishing himself as a creative and innovative member of the Contra Costa College community. He took over the TSS position from someone who had retired after holding the job for over thirty years. While the previous TSS was highly skilled and experienced, Travis was able to immediately invigorate the CCC Drama Department, bringing a fresh perspective and innovative approach to theatrical productions. Soon after beginning his work at CCC, for example, he oversaw the installation of a large state-of-the-art screen, instantly expanding the technical possibilities for Drama Department productions. And while Travis greatly increased the use of technology in our theater space, he also brought an old-fashioned, problem-solving technical director sensibility to our productions: Suddenly, our sets and other design elements reflected a level of skill and craftsmanship that had been missing in earlier years.

I have also been impressed by Travis’s collegiality and professionalism. Here at CCC, we are faced with chronic budget challenges. Despite this, Travis always works with directors and faculty members to ensure that their shows and classes are as well-produced as possible. He seeks out creative solutions for design challenges, and remains patient and considerate when dealing with unexpected challenges.

I am very sorry to see Travis go, but I have no doubt that he will find success in his future endeavors. I give him my highest recommendation.