Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Segesta.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in Detroit, my first job in a hotel was at the far end of a linen chute. Probably not anyone’s dream gig, but it sure worked for me. It was a great place to get to know the employees – all sorts of characters from all over the world. They’d tell me their stories, their dreams. I realized the beauty of hotels is they give people the opportunity to accomplish things they never thought possible.
From there, I was hooked and went on to study hotel management at Michigan State University.
My first Four Seasons job was as Director of Housekeeping in Seattle in 1987. From there, I’ve been lucky enough to live all around North America, working for Four Seasons in Vancouver, Boston, Newport Beach, Las. Vegas, Austin, and Chicago.
But nothing beats Houston- my family and I just love the H-Town community, all our city has to offer, and this incredible hotel. As Houston’s Downtown Destination, we love welcoming our locals to enjoy some great food and drink, amazing spa treatments, and a refreshing staycation. All with the best service in town (from the laundry chute, up)!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The hotel business is a fascinating one, and like anything, there are challenges along the way. But I’ve learned over the years that the Golden Rule (treating others the way you’d like to be treated) is a great way to run the ship. It also happens to be the founding principle of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and our founder, Issy Sharpe.
Hotels don’t close- we’re open all day, every day. And guests arrive at all hours, from all over the world, in all different kinds of moods. It’s our job to make them feel welcomed, comforted, and looked after. And you can’t fake that- it has to be done with genuine warmth and consideration. That’s something you can’t teach, and why hiring the best people is something we so deeply invest in.
We continually challenge ourselves (both individually and as a team) to be better, do better, and to push the limits on what we thought was possible. This keeps us strong as a team and helps us provide the best possible experience for our guests.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What I do at work is different every day- and I love that. From citywide conventions to holiday visitors, there’s always guests in and around the hotel. Everyone has their own idea of what makes for a great stay, and our talented team of hundreds all work to make sure our guests have a great experience with us.
One thing I do every day is to walk around, see our team in action, and make sure they know they’re supported by me and our entire management team.
Also, as a big sports guy, I really enjoy game nights, where Rockets and Astros fans gather to celebrate our teams before and/or after walking over to the games.
But our work doesn’t end at the hotel. Being a part of our community is really important. In addition to serving on multiple boards, my wife Robin and I are co-founders of Camp H-Town, the charitable organization dedicated to providing children with cancer a unique and rewarding experience by offering an “urban camping trip” at Four Seasons Hotel Houston. It’s one of the most rewarding things we do, as it is with the many volunteers from the hotel and community.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Follow your dream! A great way to learn more about a career path is to get an internship and experience the workplace you’re considering.
We have a fantastic management training program across Four Seasons, which really helps us develop incredible young talent, while giving them the opportunity to learn and grow within this great organization.
I’m really proud of the way I learned (literally from the laundry chute up) as it allowed me to get to know so many great co-workers and to see how the hotel functions through everyone’s collective effort.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fourseasons.com/houston
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fshouston
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FourSeasonsHotelHouston
