New Mexico State University Honors Prakash Sundaram, CEO/President of Total Management Systems, with 2025 Industry Leadership Award
Las Cruces, NM — November 6, 2025 — New Mexico State University’s School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM) has announced Prakash Sundaram, CEO and President of Total Management Systems (TMS), as the recipient of the 2025 Industry Leadership Award, recognizing his distinguished leadership, professional impact, and commitment to advancing the hospitality and tourism sector across New Mexico.
The NMSU HRTM Industry Leadership Award honors individuals who have made an outstanding leadership contribution to the hotel, foodservice or tourism industry, and who demonstrate in their career: leadership in their profession, mentorship of others, and creative activity in advancing the industry. According to the HRTM program, nominees may be industry professionals whose contributions have left a lasting impact on the profession and the communities it serves.
Prakash exemplifies these qualities through more than three decades of influence in hospitality development, hotel operations, and community economic growth. As CEO and President of Total Management Systems, Sundaram oversees a portfolio of hotels across New Mexico, expanding services and elevating hospitality standards statewide. His leadership has supported revitalization efforts in cities including Las Cruces and other communities, contributing to job creation, tourism growth, and long-term economic development.
One of the clearest reflections of this commitment is the Courtyard by Marriott Las Cruces at NMSU, developed in partnership between TMS and the university. Designed as more than a hotel, the Courtyard functions as a real-world training environment for HRTM students, offering internships, paid positions, and professional development in operations and management. Under Sundaram’s leadership, it has become a model for hospitality education and workforce development in New Mexico.
- Opened a pathway for HRTM students to gain hands-on experience in front-desk, sales, operations, food & beverage, and management training at a branded Marriott property.
- Established a hiring pipeline in which students and alumni of the HRTM program are offered part-time and full-time employment, and advancement opportunities within TMS’s broader portfolio of hotels.
- Enabled faculty and industry practitioners (including TMS leadership) to deliver guest lectures, real-world project assignments, and professional networking directly on campus, thereby bridging the gap between academic instruction and industry practice.
- Reinforced community and economic impact by raising the profile of Las Cruces as a destination, supporting hospitality jobs and local tourism infrastructure, and integrating that into the experiential learning mission of the HRTM program.
These achievements exemplify the award criteria: Prakash’s leadership extends beyond operational success — it is transformational for the industry ecosystem in New Mexico and for the educational pipeline that supports future hospitality professionals.
By awarding Prakash the 2025 Industry Leadership Award, NMSU’s HRTM recognizes not just business excellence, but a strategic and philanthropic mindset: one that invests in workforce development, mentoring, industry-education partnerships, and community growth.
About the NMSU School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management
The School of HRTM at New Mexico State University is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA) and is recognized as New Mexico’s leading hospitality management program. The school is known for producing career-ready graduates through strong industry partnerships, hands-on learning, and a reputation that extends across the hospitality field nationally.
About Total Management Systems, Inc.
Total Management Systems is a New Mexico–based hospitality management and development company operating 10 hotels across the state, with a focus on service excellence and community partnership. The company recently announced its newest project — the Courtyard by Marriott at UNM in Albuquerque, which will feature a rooftop bar and gathering space. TMS continues to invest in hospitality, workforce development, and local economic growth throughout New Mexico.
For more information, please contact Joesolie Ramos, Corporate Director of Sales & Marketing at (505) 831-4200 option 2 or email Joesolie@tmsnm.com.
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