Staff Directory

Antares

Our Team

PRESIDENT

Dave Merkley, BS

Mikle enjoys the study and use of language, and the possibility to communicate despite language differences. He believes language is essential to an individual’s understanding of their world and their ability to build relationships.

Mikle’s passion for language began when he was young, as he grew up around individuals who spoke multiple languages. He first studied language (Spanish) formally throughout his four years in high school. Later, he studied Italian in a high-intensity, immersive program for six weeks before moving to Italy, where he lived for two years as a religious missionary. During that time he volunteered teaching English on a weekly basis, as well as tutoring students in an after-school program for a period.

English
Italian
Spanish
Russian

Chief Operating Officer

Dave Merkley, BS

David learned to love languages at a young age. After high school, he lived in Brazil for two years as a missionary and taught English classes on occasion. Then he attended University in Colorado, USA, where he got a degree in business. He then spent the next 20 years in corporate management and entrepreneurship before getting involved in English language schools. He has a passion for helping others, and for languages.

English
Portuguese
Spanish
French
Italian
Arabic
Chinese

GENERAL MANAGER

Vinícius Nogueira

Vini learned English while in Brazil, which led him to teach beginning and intermediate students for two years. He also has experience in logistics and problem-solving from work in the United States, which has helped both his language and his qualifications as Internexus/Antares’ general manager.

English
Portuguese
Spanish

Center Director

Quezia Azevedo

Quezia completed her education in both Brazil and the USA, earning degrees in finance and humanities. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Accounting, as well as a Master’s degree in Managerial Accounting from Mackenzie Presbyterian University. She engaged in several exchange programs in the United States, including Kaplan in Cambridge, where she pursued an Associate in Paralegal at Middlesex College-USA. Her international student experience as an F1 visa holder spanned five years.

Throughout her career, Quezia has assumed managerial roles in major Brazilian corporations and has embarked on entrepreneurial ventures across diverse sectors. She has a passion for leading and influencing people, managing businesses, and consistently prioritizes organizational efficiency and control methods to achieve outstanding results.

English
Portuguese

Teacher

Jamal Jaradat

Jamal earned his TESOL Certification from Huntington University in 2011, and taught at Exodus Refugee Immigration for a year and has been a part of the Globalcom family since 2012. Jamal has lived overseas for 23 years and is bilingual in English and Arabic. He enjoys playing sports, reading, and traveling.

English
Arabic

Teacher

Curt R. Lentsch

MA – Applied Linguistics, U of Illinois-Chicago, 1988

PhD – Education (Curriculum & Instruction), U of Illinois, 1999

1989-1990, 1997-2008: Teaching English in China institutions of higher ed  – Subject areas: 4 skills (reading/writing/listening/speaking), American & British Literature intros, Western Civilization, Intro Linguistics courses

 

2010 -2017 – higher ed in Hong Kong – subject areas: 4 skills, applied linguistics courses