Christina Santarelli-Foster is now senior vice president of marketing. Santarelli-Foster has been with First Hospitality since early 2023, previously serving as vice president of marketing with a former background in developing lifestyle experiences and extensive restaurant and bar marketing expertise. Under Santarelli-Foster’s leadership, she will continue to elevate First Hospitality’s marketing and communications efforts through cohesive collaboration, creative approaches and driving strong ROIs, all while unlocking new opportunities for growth and profitability. Christina is an active member of the ALIS Program Planning Committee, AHLA Communications Cabinet and the James Beard Foundation Marketing & Communications Working Group.
Travis Bowman, senior vice president of people services. Bowman, who started his First Hospitality journey in 2009 as a hotel general manager, most recently served as vice president of 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. Under Travis’ leadership, he will expand First Hospitality’s First Path leadership development program and is committed to continually achieving national recognition for associate engagement and satisfaction. Travis is an active member of CHART and SHRM.
Nick Johnson, senior vice president of full service and lifestyle hotels. Johnson, an 11-year veteran of First Hospitality, began as a general manager and previously served as vice president of operations. Johnson will lead the new full service and lifestyle hotels vertical, leveraging the company’s strong operation foundation to drive operational excellence and guest satisfaction and grow First Hospitality’s portfolio with high-end properties. With his extensive experience with branded and independent lifestyle hotels, Johnson will focus on innovating service standards, ensuring consistency across properties, and enhancing the guest experience at each property within the vertical. Nick is currently the vice chair of the IHLA and an active board member of the WHLA.
Anthony Leitz, senior vice president of premium select hotels. A First Hospitality associate for 15 years, Leitz most recently served as vice president of operations, first joining the company as a general manager. By establishing a dedicated Premium Select Hotels vertical, led by Leitz, First Hospitality is well-positioned to optimize complex asset operations and expand its portfolio with premium select properties. Leitz will apply his deep operational expertise to fine-tune processes, enhance brand recognition, and oversee the growth of the segment, ensuring the premium select vertical continues to offer high-quality, value-driven experiences for guests. His leadership will be key to executing strategic initiatives to ensure a competitive edge in the market.
“These promotions highlight our commitment to developing talent from within and ensuring our leadership team is equipped to elevate every aspect of our business,” Jason Kreul, chief operating officer at First Hospitality, said in a statement. "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.”
"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,” said Jenna Fishel, chief commercial officer at First Hospitality.