Our Team

Founder

Thomas DeSousa

Thomas DeSousa is a highly accomplished Senior Vice President and Operations Specialist with demonstrated success of leading, managing, and growing operations of all sizes and scopes within the any industry. A motivational leader and exceptional communicator, Thomas is able to leverage his outstanding people skills to mentor peers and build and drive teams towards impressive results. He has a proven record of driving strategic vision and delivering business growth through outstanding fiscal management, operational excellence, and exceptional people management. His ability to identify core strengths and key talent, combined with his leading hospitality industry experience and his strong business skill-set, make Thomas a top-valued leader for any boards seeking an executive capable of identifying opportunities and facilitating growth in highly competitive industries. In addition to hospitality, Thomas also possesses significant experience in real estate development, retail, restaurants, and various service industries.

Education

East Stroudsburg University
BS, Hotel Management, Cum Laude

Speaking Engagements

•Adjunct Professor, Drexel University’s Hospitality Department
•Frequent Speaker on Hotel Development

Publications

•Featured In BisNow for the Port of San Diego Tourism

Affiliations

• Give Kids the World, Member
•Buckhead Hotel Council, Member
• Atlanta Sports Council, Member
•Buckhead Hotel Council, Member
• New Jersey Police Benevolent Association, Member
•National Tour Association, Member
• VUSAMART, Member
•Buckhead Hotel Council, Member
• OMCA, Member
•POW-WOW, Member
• Piscataway Chamber of Commerce, Vice President
• Buckhead Hotel, Council Marketing Committee

Honors and Accolades

• Hotel Performance Support, Upscale Director of the Year, IHG, 2011
•General Manager of the Year Award recipient, Georgia Hotel And Lodging Association, 2006
• IHG Pillar of Excellence Award Winner, 2004
•Buckhead Hotel Council, Member
• Volunteer of the Year, Recipient of the Silver Life Achievement- Piscataway PBA., 2001
•Business Person of the Year, 2000
• Eagle Scout Recipient

ASSOCIATE

Robert Halverson

Robert Halverson joined DeSousa Consulting in 2017 as Principal & Design Director. His professional experience includes a wide range of large scale mixed use developments, super high-rise, class A Office, performance spaces, institutional projects as well as hospitality mixed use and boutique restaurant design in the US and Asia. He is an advocate for form and urban spaces that create community. Robert is interested in the creation of unique, sustainable, discover-able spaces that blur the line between public and private, interior and exterior allowing for more interaction of the community within the urban realm as well as within the envelope of the building itself.  

Once inside, the creation of place is unique to each project we conceive. The use of light, materials, textures, reflectivity of surfaces, sound characteristics and smells all contribute to a unique and memorable experience. The founding principles of good design for culinary spaces are not just the look and feel, but the service aspects, quality of the food and creativity in preparation and presentation.  As we create functional art spaces you can inhabit, we also create art work you can consume and be part of our story.

Education

Syracuse University
Bachelor of Architecture

Yale University
Master of Architecture

Activities & Affiliations

•National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, Member
•American Institute of Architects, Member