2019 Mel Rex Award

Thomas Gaston, Jr. – ECM

The Pacific-Union Club – San Francisco, California

Tom Gaston has 50 years of experience in the restaurant/hospitality industry and over 30 years in the club management field. For the past 27 years, he has served as General Manager of The Pacific-Union Club in San Francisco. The Club is one of America’s oldest, most exclusive, and highest quality city clubs with 1000 members and revenues in excess of $12 million. It is well known for the excellence of its facilities and hospitality and has been continuously ranked among the best city clubs worldwide. 

Tom began his professional career with Hyatt Hotels where he worked for twelve years, rising to the position of Executive Assistant Manager Food and Beverage. He left Hyatt in 1989 for a brief stint at Parc Lane Hotels before being recruited by the Bohemian Club, another of America’s most prominent clubs. 

Tom is a graduate of the University of Kentucky. He is Past Chairman of the 

National Club Association, Past Chairman of the Distinguished Clubs of the World and a current Director of the California State Club Association.

He lives in San Francisco with his wife of 36 years, Elizabeth Baptista-Gaston, who is an educator and flutist. He has two adult children, Michelle and Brandon.