Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Brad Gessner Blog Post NEW!

HTM Master’s

I’m writing this for anyone considering enrolling in San Diego State University's on-line Master’s in Hospitality & Tourism Management program.

First, here’s a little background about me.

I am a 35 year veteran of the Public Assembly Facility Management industry having spent time with the Sheraton Hotel Corporation, San Antonio Convention facilities department, and most recently as General Manager of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation (2006-2012).

In the spring of 2012 I decided to apply to be in the first Cohort of this new on-line Master’s program primarily because I thought it would look good optically for my consulting enterprise I was launching, and would assist me in pursuing my goal of teaching at the university level someday.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Sean Brody from Liberia


"I'm never going to school again," I bragged to myself as the graduation caps rained down on the auditorium floor around me.  No more scan-trons.. No more buying books.   No more all night cram sessions.  So I thought.

After college I continued my career of surf photography, which ultimately lead me to surf philanthropy and I had no intention on going back to school to higher my education.  Fresh out of San Diego State University I started a non-profit organization called Surf Resource Network to work with coastal communities in developing nations to ensure the local people are benefiting from the presence of surf tourism, and it has been a very rewarding experience.  I have become highly engulfed by the projects and programs we are conducting in Robertsport, Liberia, focusing on health and education, and the small fishing village has become a second home to me.  The potential I see for this town to improve their health, education, infrastructure, and job opportunities through the presence of positive surf tourism really intrigues me, and I wanted to help lead by setting a good example. 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

What Real Leadership Looks Like


I’ve been teaching leadership at San Diego State University for six years now and attempting to practice it for the better part of the last 51 years (since I started college at Fairfield University).  Over that span of years I’ve been an infantry NCO in the 82nd Airborne Division, a corporate CEO multiple times, a management consultant, mentor, board member, jury foreman, and teacher.  In addition to fulfilling the leadership role myself, I’ve also had the good fortune to observe some wonderful leaders – at all levels – up close.

Business Planning for the New Century

Jeff Campbell
Chairman Emeritus, Chairmen’s Roundtable
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Perhaps my favorite F. Scott FitzGerald quote:
“The mark of a first-rate intellect is the ability to hold two apparently opposing ideas in mind at the same time and retain the ability to function.”

When it comes to planning for your business in this new century, they are good words to keep in mind.