Background

M.S., Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management, University of South Carolina
B.S., Hotel Management, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

After graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Kevin Ayres started his career with Marriott in the foodservice division and ran airport operations in Las Vegas and Cleveland before coming to the education division at the University of South Carolina. At South Carolina, Ayres spent six years overseeing the operation of Williams-Brice Stadium as well as the Carolina Coliseum. During the summer months, he was responsible for the concession and catering operation at Capital City Stadium.

In recent years, Ayres was a member of the conversion team at Augusta National Golf Club for The Masters, helping with the transition from an outside vendor to an in-house concession operation. Ayres has been part of the concessions team at The Masters Golf Tournament for the past 15 tournaments.

Ayres owned and served as president for State Street Snacks for 20 years from 2002 to 2022.

Areas of Expertise

• Small business startups
• Concession event management
• Personal finance

Honors / Awards

• HRTM Teacher of the Year, 2022-23
• Finalist HRSM Harry E. and Carmen S. Varney Distinguished Teacher of the Year, 2022-23
• HRTM Teacher of the Year, 2010-11
• HRSM Harry E. and Carmen S. Varney Distinguished Teacher of the Year, 2012-13

Teaching

• HRTM 421 – Hospitality Financial Methods
• HRTM 490 – Hospitality Strategy Management
• HRTM 595 – Sustainable Hospitality Operations
• HRTM 376 – Contract Food Service Management
• HRSM 344 – Personnel Organization Management

Student Group Leadership

• Chair of the HRTM Student Advisory Board
• Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), 2012-Present

Professional Affiliations

• National Association of Collegiate Concessionaires (NACC)
• Former National Board Member NACC