East Lansing � March 17, 2010 - When Alumnus and Visiting Leader Tom
Thomas (BA �78) returned to campus in February to address students in The
School of Hospitality Business at MSU, they heard from someone who has
done it all.
For 32 years, Tom has pursued his passion for hospitality, beginning
with Hyatt Hotels right after he graduated in 1978. Through 20 different
positions with numerous iconic companies, he excelled in nearly every segment
of the industry. Food and beverage, private clubs, resorts, suites
and extended stay, fullservice urban hotels, conference centers, and now
real estate and development � Tom has experienced it all, and with his
wife Brenda, has learned to see life � including 15 different moves � as
an adventure, with something new around every corner.
Most recently the general manager of the legendary Drake Hotel in Chicago,
Tom is now the president of Herrington Hospitality, headquartered in Oklahoma
City, OK, which specializes in the ownership and management of hotels,
resorts, and clubs.
�The hospitality industry provides choices,� he told the students in
Adjunct Instructor Joel Heberlein�s HB 237 � Management of Lodging Systems
course. �It is a great industry, especially if you�re not yet
sure about what you want to be. Career opportunities exist in food
and beverage, rooms, marketing and sales, finance, retail, and more.�
Tom advised students to remember that the industry is �about customer
service,� and no matter how technically sophisticated our society gets,
�this is still, and always will be, a people business.�
�Continually improve,� he urged. �Your versatility will increase
your value.�
Tom Thomas has been appointed general manager
of the historic Drake Hotel in Chicago
CHICAGO, IL - December 6, 2007 - Tom Thomas has been appointed general
manager of the historic Drake Hotel in Chicago. Tom Thomas most recently
served as hotel manager of the Hilton Chicago, directing the operation
of this world-class four-diamond convention hotel. A 30-year hospitality
veteran, Tom Thomas has spent the last ten years distinguishing himself
as a successful executive with Hilton Hotels Corporation.
Prior to his tenure at the Hilton Chicago, Thomas served as General
Manager of the Hilton Suites Dallas North located in the competitive Galleria
area. While General Manager of this property he also held the position
of General Manager Cluster Lead for the Hilton Family of brands for the
city of Dallas inclusive of its Hilton, Doubletree, and Embassy Suites
brands. Before this, Thomas was General Manager of the Doubletree
hotel and Executive Meeting Center, Dallas/Plano Legacy Town Center.
There he successfully positioned the property as an IACC certified meeting
center as well as a luxury transient hotel, resulting in its successful
sale after just three years. Thomas began his career with Hilton
by serving as Assistant General Manager and Director of Marketing for the
Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center.
Prior to Hilton, Tom Thomas specialized in managing award-winning and
innovative conference resort developments, having opened and launched such
successful properties as the Lansdowne Conference Center and Resort near
Washington DC (Benchmark), Chateau Élan Resort and Conference Center
north of Atlanta (Marriott), and the Marietta Conference Resort in Marietta,
Georgia (Sentry III). He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hotel,
Restaurant and Institutional Management from Michigan State University.
http://www.thedrakehotel.com |
After he addressed the students, Tom was named an Honorary Faculty Member
in The School. The next day, he visited several memorable spots on
campus, including the office of MSU men�s basketball Coach Tom Izzo, with
whom he visited before enjoying dinner with Brenda at the Tip-Off Café
in the Breslin Center and watching the Spartans play Purdue that evening.
About The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University
Recognized as the top-ranked hospitality business school in the
world, The School celebrates its 83rd year anniversary in 2010. The
School has almost 10,000 graduates worldwide, including a number of leading
academicians and industry executives, who have earned both undergraduate
and graduate degrees. Founded in 1927, the mission of The School
is to continually enhance The School's leadership position in hospitality
business education through teaching, research, and service. The School
offers an exceptionally well-crafted curriculum, taught by innovative professors
who are leading textbook authors, sought-after consultants, and respected
researchers. The mission of The School of Hospitality Business Alumni
Association is to provide active leadership in support of the mission of
The School of Hospitality Business through membership participation, image
enhancement, financial commitment, and promotion of synergies among students,
faculty, alumni, and friends. The First, The Original, and STILL
The Leader. . . The School of Hospitality Business. For more information,
please visit www.bus.msu.edu/shb/
