 | Brad Hirsch is a seasoned executive and proven leader with over 20 years of experience in hospitality, gaming, and entertainment operations. Throughout his career, he has served as a senior executive for complex, multi-property businesses with revenues exceeding a quarter of a billion dollars, leading large, diverse teams—including more than 730 team members at Hollywood Casino Toledo. Brad’s career path reflects a thoughtful blend of people-centered insight and business leadership. A proud Miami University (Ohio) graduate in Business Psychology, he initially set out to become a psychologist. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, only to realize—like many professionals—that his career interests were evolving in a new direction. Although he valued his studies in clinical psychology, Brad discovered he was most energized by applying behavioral insight in a business environment. After working as an executive recruiter and later serving as Director of Career Services for a small university in Atlanta, Georgia, he returned to school to earn his MBA from Vanderbilt University, with a focus on Brand Management and Corporate Strategy. |
Following Vanderbilt, Brad began his career in the gaming industry in Las Vegas, where he reviewed customer analytics and applied strategic insights for one of the world’s largest casino operators. That corporate foundation launched a career that progressed into operational casino leadership roles across eight properties in five states.
Brad has a strong track record of delivering results through strategic planning, operational excellence, and talent development. His experience includes managing large casino and hotel properties, leading large teams, applying innovative strategic marketing, and implementing Lean process engineering. He has led new property openings, major construction and redevelopment projects, improved profitability, and built effective partnerships with third-party operators. Notably, he helped build and open the first casino in the state of Ohio, playing a key role in establishing operations, culture, and service standards from the ground up. He is deeply passionate about being part of high-performing leadership teams and developing future leaders.
Mentorship has been a defining theme throughout Brad’s career. “One of the things I am most proud of is seeing leaders on my teams grow, stretch, and earn opportunities to move into bigger roles,” he says. He is profoundly grateful for the mentors who invested in him early in his career and is deeply committed to paying that forward to others.
Brad also believes mentoring is a shared growth experience. “The best mentoring relationships create growth for both the mentor and the mentee,” he notes. Through his involvement with the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Brad is passionate about supporting emerging leaders and contributing to the long-term strength of the Toledo business community.
Brad is also a published author with Harvard Business Publishing on the application of Lean principles in complex service organizations.
Brad has a strong track record of delivering results through strategic planning, operational excellence, and talent development. His experience includes managing large casino and hotel properties, leading large teams, applying innovative strategic marketing, and implementing Lean process engineering. He has led new property openings, major construction and redevelopment projects, improved profitability, and built effective partnerships with third-party operators. Notably, he helped build and open the first casino in the state of Ohio, playing a key role in establishing operations, culture, and service standards from the ground up. He is deeply passionate about being part of high-performing leadership teams and developing future leaders.
Mentorship has been a defining theme throughout Brad’s career. “One of the things I am most proud of is seeing leaders on my teams grow, stretch, and earn opportunities to move into bigger roles,” he says. He is profoundly grateful for the mentors who invested in him early in his career and is deeply committed to paying that forward to others.
Brad also believes mentoring is a shared growth experience. “The best mentoring relationships create growth for both the mentor and the mentee,” he notes. Through his involvement with the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Brad is passionate about supporting emerging leaders and contributing to the long-term strength of the Toledo business community.
Brad is also a published author with Harvard Business Publishing on the application of Lean principles in complex service organizations.
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