First Hospitality has promoted four leaders within its hotel operations, commercial strategy and people and talent departments, including appointing Nick Johnson as SVP, full-service & lifestyle hotels and Anthony Leitz as SVP, premium select hotels.
Johnson, an 11-year veteran of First Hospitality, began as a general manager and previously served as VP, operations. He will lead the new full-service & lifestyle hotels vertical and grow First Hospitality’s portfolio with high-end properties. With his extensive experience with branded and independent lifestyle hotels, he will focus on innovating service standards, ensuring consistency across properties and enhancing the guest experience at each property within the vertical, according to the company.
A First Hospitality associate for 15 years, Leitz most recently served as VP, operations, first joining the company as a general manager. He will apply his deep operational expertise to fine-tune processes, enhance brand recognition and oversee the growth of the premium select vertical segment.
Christina Santarelli-Foster has been promoted to SVP, marketing. She has been with First Hospitality since early 2023, previously serving as VP, marketing with a background in developing lifestyle experiences and extensive restaurant and bar marketing expertise.
Travis Bowman moves up to SVP, people services. Starting his First Hospitality journey in 2009 as a hotel GM, he most recently served as VP, learning and performance. With Bowman at the helm of people services, the company will continue to foster a “People First” culture, attracting and retaining top talent while providing new opportunities for professional growth and leadership development. He will expand First Hospitality’s First Path leadership development program and is committed to continually achieving national recognition for associate engagement and satisfaction.
“These promotions highlight our commitment to developing talent from within and ensuring our leadership team is equipped to elevate every aspect of our business,” said Jason Kreul, COO, First Hospitality. “Christina, Travis, Nick and Anthony have all been instrumental to our success, and we are confident that in their new roles, they will continue to push boundaries, drive innovation, and actively contribute to shaping the future of our company and the hospitality industry at large.”
Jenna Fishel, chief commercial officer, First Hospitality, added, “First Hospitality’s ‘People First’ culture is truly reflected in this recognition of leadership growth. Having watched and personally grown alongside Christina, Travis, Nick and Anthony, it is great to see the impact they have had on the First Hospitality team, partners and owners.”
