The Career of Tom Breitling
Since joining his friend and partner Tim Poster in 1993, Tom Breitling has held many titles and been many things. Travel agent, .com mogul, casino owner, investor – Breitling has never backed down from a challenge and has always dreamed, and lived, large. Breitling’s entrepreneurial focus is constantly shaped by his success and business experience, and his love of innovative ideas drives him, every day.
Taking the First Step
The journey began in 1993, when Breitling moved to Las Vegas with $100 in his pocket and joined his business partner, Tim Poster, to help run the startup company Las Vegas Reservation Systems, Inc. (LVRS).
Together with Poster, Breitling revolutionized the travel industry by creating the “merchant model” for hotel and vacation package reservations. They saw continued success in their venture and turned the company into one of the world’s largest consumer-direct hotel room distribution systems.
Cashing In on the .Com Craze
In 1998, Breitling and Poster co-founded Travelscape.com. They capitalized on the growth of Las Vegas, the overall hospitality industry, and the Internet, and propelled sales to $104 million in 1999.
A year later, the partners oversaw the acquisition of Travelscape.com by Expedia, Inc., in a deal valued at more than $100 million. Breitling then sat on the Board of Directors of Expedia in 2002 and 2003.
Taking a Chance on the Gaming Industry
In 2004, Breitling and Poster made their first moves into the gaming business. They acquired the Golden Nugget hotel-casino properties in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada, for $215 million, becoming the youngest casino owners in the state.
With this investment, Breitling and Poster successfully brought back personalized service and “Vintage Vegas” glamour to downtown. Their unique style of operation later became the subject of the Fox TV reality show, “The Casino” and won the partners international fame.
In September 2005, the pair sold the Golden Nugget to Landry’s Restaurants Inc. for approximately $340 million.
The Modern Day Tom Breitling
Today, Tom Breitling is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Breitling Ventures, a private investment management business. He also supports a variety of philanthropic efforts in Nevada and assists the entrepreneurship program at the University of San Diego, his alma mater.
Breitling is also currently a board member for the College Loan Corporation, a member of the executive committee for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open golf tournament, a member of the University of San Diego Board of Trustees, and is an honorary commander for the Nellis Air Force Support Team.
When not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada.