Dr. Tom Gaddis
Dr. Tom Gaddis is the director of Pellissippi State's Hospitality/Tourism program. He has been involved with hospitality management over the past twenty-five years. Dr. Gaddis started in the industry at the age of thirteen working as a bus boy and a dishwasher to earn money to purchase a motorcycle. His resume includes numerous varied hospitality management experiences highlighted with career stints with Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores Inc., Horn and Hardart Diversified Service Operations, College and University Hospitality Management including: Cafeteria feeding, High Level Catering, Convenience Store Development, Theme Restaurant Design, Conference and Meeting Planning, and Intern Development Programs.

Dr. Gaddis has received numerous accolades throughout his career for outstanding leadership and performance within the hospitality industry. Most recently, Dr. Gaddis has; received the Gene Joyce Visionary Award from Pellissippi State, been named as a member of the national Who's Who for College and University Teachers, as well as the NISOD award for excellence in teaching. Dr. Gaddis has been highly achieved in the Tennessee Hospitality Education Council, which is a statewide organization that focuses on educating the public about the industry. In the summer of 2000, he was awarded a certificate of recognition from the Tennessee Hospitality Education Council for his role in the operation and development of the Tennessee Governor's School for Hospitality.

Upon completion of his Doctoral research concerning food safety, Dr. Gaddis dedicated himself to developing the growing hospitality industry into a logical and desired career choice. Always known for his upbeat attitude and ability to train management staff, Dr. Gaddis says he has found a home teaching the hospitality leaders of tomorrow.


Leta Salazar
Salazar has a M.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama and a B.S. in Recreation Programming from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. She started in the industry as a resort hotel lifeguard. She has worked for Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Keystone Resort (Colorado), Westin Hotels and Resorts, and Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Salazar has received National Industry Recognition Awards including:

1997-98 Recipient of Marriott White Diamond Award for Guest Satisfaction
1998 Recipient of Marriott Dust Buster Award for Hotel Cleanliness
1998 Recipient of Marriott Most Improved REVPAR for Revenue Management
1999 Recipient of Two Marriott Associate Opinion Survey Awards

She also has served as an Adjunct Professor at Southeast Missouri State University, located in Cape Girardeau, Mo, within the Hospitality and Restaurant Management program. Additionally, she conduce research with regards to Agritourism at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Il.

Salazar holds the professional certification as a Certified Hospitality Sales Professional from the American Hotel and Motel Association and plans to become a Certified Hospitality Educator. She brings a wealth of information from over 13 years in the industry that will prove helpful in teaching future hospitality professionals.


Questions about Pellissippi State's Hospitality Progam? Please contact Tom Gaddis or call 865-694-6400.