Tom Sweeney, San Francisco's Most Legendary Doorman, has more than thirty years of service at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel , where greeting guests, mingling with Presidents, and tackling thieves on Powell Street are all just part of another day at the office. Easily recognized by his genuine smile, infallible and never-ending knowledge of the City by the Bay, and of course, his bright red Beefeater's uniform, Sweeney is much more than just a doorman. He is an iconic fixture in the San Francisco community, a widely recognized local celebrity, and a champion of the city.

Sweeney likes to joke that his job has "opened a lot of doors," but this is more a reality than a quick quip. A native San Franciscan and graduate of the Hotel and Restaurant School at San Francisco City College, Tom joined our San Francisco historic hotel in 1979. At the time, he thought he was only going to be in the position for two years, having already applied to the San Francisco Police and Fire Academies. But after realizing how much he truly loved his job at the hotel and how much it had become a part if his life, Tom decided to keep at it and has been there ever since.

In his three decades of greeting and assisting guests, Tom has watched the Sir Francis Drake become a landmark among historic San Francisco historic hotels. He has befriended an amazing array of people from all over the world, including Hollywood celebrities, Heads of State, five U.S. Presidents, professional athletes, and many more. "Meeting people is the best part of this job," says Sweeney. "I have countless invitations from the people I have met from all over the globe, to come and visit them - and that is what makes this position different from any other that I can dream of." Tom has greeted every single U.S. President since President Ford, except for George W. Bush. Other notables include Tony Blair, Michael Jordan, Julia Roberts, John Travolta, Tiger Woods, Barry Bonds, Joe Montana, Bono, Mick Jagger, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, and countless more.

The highly physical job involves much more than simply opening doors, making it a perfect fit for the athletic Sweeney, who played football at San Francisco's Riordan High School. In his 30 years of service, he prides himself on never having been injured - a true testament to his tremendous strength and physical conditioning. An avid runner, Tom has finished 16 marathons in almost every major city, including San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Honolulu, Washington, DC, London, and Alaska. He likens his job to that of a quarterback - being the eyes and ears of every guest he meets - unloading luggage and giving directions, all with a friendly smile. Sometimes he even gets to play hero.

Sweeney was awarded the Highest Bravery Award from Mayor Feinstein in 1982 after chasing down and tackling two thieves who stole a guest's luggage – all while wearing his Beefeater uniform. The robbers were apprehended and the happy and thankful guests got all of their possessions back. The hotel then sent him to Mexico as a token of their gratitude, where he saved a girl who was drowning in the Pacific Ocean, a story broadcast all over the world. This was not his first or last television appearance either. Tom has appeared on several episodes of the popular daytime soap opera, The Young and the Restless, in his uniform playing the part of a doorman. He has also been included in a variety of print ads, travel stories, and guidebooks.

Sweeney is actively involved in the San Francisco community, throwing an annual doormen's' lunch for his colleagues; making hundreds of appearances at charitable events and parades in his Beefeater uniform; is an adopted member of the San Francisco Police and Fire Departments with hundreds of good friends in both organizations; and much more.

"I have the best job in the world," says Tom. "I couldn't imagine giving it up today because I truly enjoy every minute of it and it is a large part of who I am."