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Jim Hawkins

Founder & Managing Director

Jim’s career in I.T. started many decades ago, soon after completing a Diploma in Accountancy at R.M.I.T.   

In his early years on the Gold Coast – the rise of IBM & compatible PC’s enabled the business software systems that were bread & butter to Jim, to become available on hardware economical enough to be acquired by even small business users.  Jim’s software systems were selected by a new McDonald’s franchise that opened in the Brisbane suburbs in 1985.  The payroll and accounting systems were adaptable enough to use in that franchise – and Jim’s work with the staff soon identified to need for & opportunity to add specialized modules such as inventory control, ordering, staff rostering, sales analysis, etc. for that franchisee.  The systems were so successful that they became used by more & more McDonald’s clients over the ensuing years – and the business - Abcom grew into a supplier of such systems and associated services to the Australian franchise industry.

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Peter Dessiax

​Business Development Consultant

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Peter joined Abcom in mid-2021.

My passion is problem-solving and enjoys getting alongside our valued customers to help to discover new ways of doing things that ultimately improve their business.

 

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Jason Batty

Regional Accounting Systems Manager

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​Jason commenced employment with Abcom back in February of 1995 while studying for an Associate Diploma of business specialising in Accounting. Jason comes with firsthand experience in the QSR franchise industry having worked for a multi-site Mcdonald's Franchisee for 6 years.  Over the duration of Jason's tenure with Abcom he has progressed from Store Systems Support Consultant to his current role in Accounting Systems.  Jason has vast bookkeeping and systems knowledge in the QSR franchise industry and is a key team member ensuring Abcom's success in facilitating and implementing these systems to our growing client base.

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Stuart Hitchcock

National Business Systems Architect

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Stuart commenced with Abcom in December 1992, after working for a McDonald's franchisee for over 6 years. In 1990, Stuart commenced his Bachelor of Computer Science at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), specialising in system analysis and design. 
Throughout his 30 years with Abcom, Stuart has worked in Field Services, Client Support of both store and administration systems, Payroll and HR implementations, Design, Development, and Testing of products, System Customisation for New Clients, and the manager of significant projects with major clients both domestically and internationally. Stuart's current role encompasses architectural design concepts for our store and administration systems, internal consultant for Abcom’s Development team, POS interface consultant, and data conversion for 3rd party products. 

As one of the longest-serving employees of Abcom and combined with his vast experience and knowledge within the QSR franchise industry makes him a key member in improving and developing Abcom’s products and client base, both now and in the future.

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Rod McClernon

​Business Development Consultant

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Rod's career began in the early 70's as a teenager with Pizza Hut in Melbourne.   Rod then entered the Victorian Police Service for seven years and it was during those "Underbelly Years."  Somewhat disillusioned with law enforcement Rod then returned to Pizza Hut as a Restaurant Manager then became State Manager for Tasmania in the early eighties.

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Returning to Melbourne Rod joined Ansett Transport Industries and worked as part of Denny's Restaurants' launch into Australia.   In the mid-eighties Rod moved to the Gold Coast and commenced the McDonald's Journey starting at Labrador & Coolangatta finally moving to and opening Ballina and Lismore in northern  NSW.  Over this period Ballina earned the prestigious AAA award twice.

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In 1995 Rod became a Licensee and purchased Mount Isa McDonald's in western Queensland, Rod left the McDonald's System in 2003 moving to Townsville and setting up a small family business.   In early 2011 Rod joined the Abcom team.