Honoring
TOM LEWIS
PRESIDENT, GRAY LINE NEW YORK SIGHTSEEING
LIFETIME ACHIVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT

With 40 years in transportation and sightseeing services, Tom Lewis, President of Gray Line New York Sightseeing, and District General Manager, Community Coach Bus Company has held numerous senior management positions. As an agent of change, and under his leadership, Gray Line New York has grown to serve more than 3 million visitors annually and has become the largest provider of sightseeing services in NYC and now is the largest of the 110 Gray Line companies worldwide.

Tom is active in the development of many NYC tourism initiatives and currently serves on the Board of Directors of NYC & Company, The Times Square Alliance, Big Apple Greeters, Broadway Association, Midtown West Business Association, Lower Manhattan Marketing Association, and is a member of the Mayor’s Midtown Citizens Committee.  Tom Co-Chaired the first American Bus Association’s National Convention in NYC in 2004.  Tom also was the first to play a significant role in the establishment of an industry clean air demonstration project reducing sightseeing bus exhaust pollution by 85% recognized by the Environmental Committee of the City Council of NYC in July 2006.

A good corporate citizen Tom can be counted on to lend a helping hand.  He initiated 'Friendship Tours', an outreach program for community organizations and NYC school children to learn more about their city.  Annually Tom hosted the  "Protect the Protectors", a UK association of Bobbies, which raises money to benefit families of New York City police lost in the World Trade Center attack and rescue operations.

'Partnerships' could be Tom’s middle name.  He works closely with marketing partners within the sightseeing and tourism community, the Mayor's Office and various NYC officials and departments resulting in:

• New Brooklyn Loop and the Coney Island day trip tours bringing visitors and revenues to Brooklyn businesses
• The New York City Department of Park’s extension of Gray Line’s Uptown Tour Loops to Fort Tryon Park and the Cloisters, marketing this venue worldwide providing visitors with an opportunity to experience this NYC ‘hidden’ cultural treasure
• The creation of The New York City Heritage Tour co-marketed with The History Channel showcasing NYC’s vibrant history.

Further recognition of Tom’s commitment to excellence and product promotion was given to him last October at Gray Line Worldwide’s annual conference, with the presentation of a Special Award for Creativity.  Tom was presented with an Achievement Award in 2004.  Gray line Worldwide represents Gray Line sightseeing companies in 133 cities worldwide. In October 2007 Gray Line was awarded the Concierge Choice Award as the best NYC Tour Company by the NYC Association of Hotel Concierges for extraordinary service and providing exceptional services to NYC visitors.

Tom’s team of over 500 employees have increased the diversity, quality and choice of NYC tour products which showcase all of the excitement that NYC has to offer to visitors. Through his management of  $40 million in capital investment in Gray Line New York’s double decker bus, motor coach, trolley, van fleet and facilities in NYC and New Jersey, Gray Line continues to experience record growth.

Tom is a Graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University.  He and his wife Geraldine reside in Rutherford New Jersey with their son and daughter and grandchildren.