HOUSTON—Houston First Corp. has announced a reorganization of its venue operations and development functions, including the promotion of three longtime leaders to expanded executive roles. The changes are designed to strengthen day-to-day functions across Houston First’s portfolio of venues while providing dedicated leadership for the organization’s ongoing Convention District Transformation project.
As part of the announced restructuring, Houston First’s Convention and Cultural Facilities division will be divided into two separate departments: Venues & Events and Development.
Luther Villagomez, the organization’s longtime head of facilities and operations, has been named chief development officer, a newly created role that will lead Houston First’s growing Real Estate, Development, and Capital Projects teams. Villagomez will continue to oversee the organization’s multi-phase Convention District Transformation initiative, including the development of the George R. Brown Convention Center’s new GRB South expansion and related placemaking projects.
John Gonzalez, formerly senior vice president and general manager, has been promoted to chief venues and events officer and will oversee the organization’s Venues, Events, Parking, Information Technology, and Security departments.
Additionally, Todd Holloman, who most recently served as vice president of live events and venues, has been promoted to senior vice president, venues & events. In his expanded role, Holloman will oversee theater venues, planning functions, and event services while supporting Gonzalez in departmental leadership.
Villagomez has spent nearly 40 years with Houston First and its predecessor organizations, including helping oversee the opening and operation of the GRB Convention Center. In recent years, he has devoted much of his focus to leading the planning and execution of the Convention District Transformation project, working closely with development partners on real estate acquisitions, design, engineering, construction, and project management.
“No one has more institutional knowledge of the GRB and the convention campus than the man who has been here since its opening,” says Michael Heckman, president and CEO of Houston First. “Villagomez’s leadership of the GRB South development and upcoming phases of this project is essential to our success. “
Villagomez adds, “Having spent many years helping shape our facility operations and growth, I’m excited to bring that experience to this next chapter for Houston’s convention district.
This transformation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine how the GRB and surrounding campus serve our residents, visitors, and convention attendees. I look forward to continuing to work with our development partners to make this vision a reality.”
Gonzalez, who has worked with Houston First for nearly 30 years, has assumed increasing responsibility over the organization’s venue operations as Villagomez focused on development initiatives. As a respected leader in the U.S. facilities industry, Gonzalez has helped guide Houston First through major conventions, special events, emergency situations, and operational challenges while maintaining strong relationships.
“John has been an invaluable leader. The respect he has built with our clients, local partners, tenants, and vendors makes me incredibly excited for what we can achieve under his leadership,” Heckman says.
“Stewardship starts with hospitality and a commitment to setting new standards of service,” says Gonzalez. “By taking pride in our facilities, anticipating our clients’ and guests’ needs, and delivering excellence from the first site visit through execution, we create experiences that set HFC apart. I’m pleased to begin this new chapter with the company and continue to expand our legacy of exceptional hospitality.”
Over the last nine years, Holloman has been a key leader in the organization’s live events and venue operations, overseeing some of Houston’s most prominent entertainment venues and helping deliver major events throughout the city. Under the new structure, Event Services will also report through Holloman’s leadership team.
“In my experience, whatever task we give Todd, he exceeds expectations and makes Houston and HFC shine. I look forward to seeing where he takes things with this new role,” Heckman says.
“Live events have a unique ability to bring people together, and our focus is on creating exceptional experiences from the moment guests arrive to the final curtain,” Holloman says. “Houston First has an incredible portfolio of venues, and I’m excited to build on that foundation—delivering memorable moments for our guests and partner organizations while showcasing Houston as a premier destination for live entertainment.”
To further support the new organizational structure, Houston First will also create an assistant general manager position for the George R. Brown Convention Center. Reporting to Gonzalez, the role will oversee Convention Services, Guest Services, Facility Operations, and Engineering.
The leadership changes are effective immediately.
