Toma G. Brashear
Chairman

Over the course of his 25-year career, Hospitality Artists, LLC Chairman Toma G. Brashear, has become one of the most dynamic and well-recognized figures in the lodging industry. His years of service include the growth and development of several national and international hotel interests, with an emphasis on expansion and marketing. Strategic thinking and a hands-on approach to management have consistently characterized Toma's work.

Prior to the launch of Hospitality Artists, Brashear was president and part owner of Traveler Discount Guide, the largest hotel guide publisher in North America. Under his leadership, the company grew from a regional phenomenon to a national powerhouse in just a few short years. Brashear expanded the company's market reach to serve the 48 contiguous states, doubled its sales force and tripled its annual sales. He was responsible for overseeing Traveler Discount Guide's award-winning marketing and advertising campaigns and was instrumental in expanding the company's scope to include online initiatives and e-commerce.

Immediately before coming to Traveler Discount Guide, Brashear took his talents south of the border, where he served as president of Days Inn of Mexico, based in Mexico City. Here, he was responsible for expanding the company and developing corporate-managed and franchise properties throughout the Republic. Under Brashear's direction, the company increased its franchisee and management contracts by over 400 percent.

In 1991, Brashear founded Brashear & Associates, a hospitality consulting firm. The company specialized in the marketing, development and operations of lodging-based businesses. Clients included one of the largest hotel franchisers in the United States, a major Mexican banking institution and several prominent domestic and international developers.
Prior to his work in the management and consulting arena, Brashear was appointed to the position of senior vice president, franchise and development with Colony Hotels and Resorts (then a division of Carlson Companies). During this time, he launched the Colony franchise brand.

In the mid-1980's, Toma held the position of senior vice president, marketing and franchise services for Days Inn of America. There, Brashear introduced the franchise service system as a vehicle for communication between franchisees and the parent company. This progressive system has since been adopted and implemented throughout several hotel chain systems. Also during this time, Brashear was involved in the planning and coordination of the first Asian American Hotel Conference, underwritten by Days Inn. This conference later developed into the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), which Brashear still supports.

In addition to his association with AAHOA, Brashear is chairman of the American Hotel and Lodging Association's Hotelpac and is a member of the organization's Allied Executive Committee Board. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Economics from the University of Cincinnati.