Mr. Tomaras has earned the hospitality industry’s highest professional designations: Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) and Food Management Professional (FMP). During 30 years in management and consulting, he served as president of both the Illinois Innkeepers Association and the Illinois Restaurant Association.

Mr. Tomaras directed the accredited Hospitality Management program at Parkland College (9,000+ students) as associate professor, winning two national teaching awards. He taught nine different restaurant and hotel management courses including Hospitality Law, and has presented educational seminars to operators and employees on security, front desk operation, and human resources management.

As a consultant, Mr. Tomaras has led three firms: Restaurant Concepts, Inc. (president); State Street Associates (executive vice-president(; and Apollo Hotel Consultancy (principal).

He has written case studies of Ritz-Carlton and Marriott, the Amway Grand Plaza (Michigan), the Wickaninnish Inn (Tofino, BC), and The Inn at Blackberry Farm (Tennessee), as well as of award-winning midscale hotels. He has conducted research at major hotels in Chicago, Washington, Barcelona, Paris, Athens, and Cyprus.

Mr. Tomaras, a published author, writes articulate, comprehensive reports. Known for integrity and objectivity, he projects a professional appearance and is responsive to attorney and client requirements, always meeting deadlines.

His areas of expertise include: Hotel/Restaurant Security, Operations and Management, Fire Safety & Prevention,
Training, Standards of Care, Franchise Contracts, Employment Issues, and Foodservice Sanitation.

Background

Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
A: BA - Economics, University of Illinois
MBA - Master of Business Administration, Illinois State University, 1994
CHA - Certified Hotel Administrator 1981
FMP - Food Management Professional 1993

Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: (Former) American Hotel and Lodging Association
(Former) National Restaurant Association
Illinois Restaurant Association
(Former) Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association

Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: 18 years teaching, 7 full-time as associate professor and director, Hospitality Management, Parkland College, Champaign, IL.
Extensive public speaking experience over many years.

Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No

Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: Ten times

Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Hotel standards of care; hotel security and duty of guest safety; restaurant negligence; restaurant operations/classification.

Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: 60%

Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 40%

Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: twice

Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: May, 2005

Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: one

Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: one

Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: three

Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: consulting, evaluations, reports, expert witnessing, litigation support

Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: Rates available upon request.

Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: Rates available upon request.

Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: Rates available upon request.

Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: Rates available upon request.

Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: out-of-pocket at cost + 5%, auto travel at current IRS mileage rate.

References

Marc J. Ansel
Ansel & Small, Ltd.
41 E. University Ave., Champaign IL 61820
Phone: (217)359-0200; Fax: (217)359-0888 mjalaw@shout.net
James E. Davis, Jr.
Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne, PC
200 West Side Square
Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 535 1100
Karen Egerton
Stein, Moreland, Moore & Egerton, L.L.P.
518 S. Clinton Street
Iowa City, OA 52244
(319) 351 5610

Publications