Tosin Kasali, Vice President, Business Development, HMSHost, talks about airport concessions a lot. In fact, he says friends and family, if asked, would say that’s all he talks about.
Kasali describes the work he does in airport concessions as the “purpose” he had been searching for since graduating from college. “I love deal making,” he says. “It’s part of my Nigerian upbringing, and to have found an industry that encompasses food & beverage, real estate, travel, hospitality, and design – all things I love – I feel incredibly lucky.”
Since joining HMSHost in 2016 as Director of Business Development Finance, Kasali has been involved in multiple multi-million-dollar transactions throughout North America. He helped secure the longest food and beverage contract in Host’s history (18 years at MEM) and also helped bring Costa Coffee (Europe’s No. 1 coffee brand) to SEA. Those are two examples.
For four years, he has served on the Airport Minority Advisory Council Board, and he chairs the Membership Committee.
Kasali considers himself fortunate to have been mentored by Steve Johnson (President/CEO) and Derryl Benton (Chief Development Officer) and was selected to be in the HMSHost Corporate Leadership Development Program.
Now, Kasali is a mentor and a mentee. “I am especially honored by the mentorship requests and opportunities to be mentored by various airport and concessionaire executives,” he said. “It has made a real difference in my life, and it has furthered my purpose to helping create many opportunities for ACDBE partners, women, and minorities within aviation.”
