Texas hospitality is on the move, with leadership changes across El Paso, Houston and Austin signaling fresh momentum for the state’s tourism, hotel and convention industries.
From destination marketing to hotel sales and convention center operations, longtime industry leaders are stepping into expanded roles and helping shape what’s next for Texas hospitality.
Destination El Paso has appointed Veronica Castro as Executive Director of Visit El Paso, marking a new chapter for a leader who has spent more than two decades helping tell El Paso’s story to the world.
Castro most recently served as the bureau’s Director of Tourism Development & Strategic Alliances, a position she held for nine years. In her new role, she will lead the Visit El Paso team and efforts to grow El Paso’s visitor economy, strengthen strategic partnerships and elevate the city as a premier destination for leisure travel, meetings, sports and group business.
Throughout her career with Destination El Paso, Castro has held leadership roles across multiple divisions, helping to expand El Paso’s tourism presence across the U.S., Mexico and Canada while building strong industry and regional partnerships. Her contributions have earned recognition, including the City of El Paso proclaiming May 16 “Veronica Castro Day” in her honor, as well as a Texas Latino Legacy Award from The Concilio. Castro said she is excited to lead Visit El Paso into its next chapter, grow tourism and ensure its benefits reach the community.
Houston First Elevates Three Leaders
Houston First Corporation has announced a reorganization of its venue operations and development functions, including expanded roles for three longtime leaders. The changes are designed to strengthen operations across Houston First’s venues while providing dedicated leadership for the organization’s ongoing Convention District Transformation project.
Under the new structure, the Convention and Cultural Facilities division will be split into two departments: Venues & Events and Development.
Luther Villagomez, Houston First’s longtime head of facilities and operations, has been named Chief Development Officer, a newly created role overseeing the Real Estate, Development and Capital Projects teams.
He will continue leading the Convention District Transformation, including development of the George R. Brown Convention Center’s GRB South expansion and related placemaking projects. Villagomez has spent nearly 40 years with Houston First and its predecessor organizations, and has played a key role in the convention center’s operations and ongoing transformation.
John Gonzalez, formerly SVP and General Manager, has been promoted to Chief Venues and Events Office, overseeing venues, events, parking, information technology and security. Gonzalez has been with Houston First for nearly 30 years and has increasingly taken on responsibility for venue operations as Villagomez shifted his focus toward development.
Todd Holloman, formerly VP of Live Events and Venues, has been promoted to SVP, Venues & Events. He will oversee theater venues, planning and Event Services while supporting Gonzalez in departmental leadership. Holloman has spent the past nine years leading live events and venue operations across Houston First’s entertainment portfolio.
Houston First will also create an Assistant General Manager position for the George R. Brown Convention Center.
The Driskill Names New Sales & Marketing Director
The Driskill, the oldest continuously operating hotel in Austin, has appointed Travis Breen as Director of Sales, Marketing & Events. A hospitality leader with more than 25 years of experience, Breen will oversee the hotel’s sales, marketing and events strategy, with a focus on expanding its reach, strengthening partnerships and growing leisure, group and events business.
Breen joins The Driskill following the completion of a comprehensive renovation and ahead of the hotel’s 140th Anniversary this December. The summer 2026 transformation refreshed guest rooms and suites, public spaces, meeting and social areas and culinary offerings, including 1886 Café & Bakery, the Driskill Grill and Bar and new cocktail bar The Victorian, all now overseen by Austin-based MML Hospitality.
A key focus for Breen will be showcasing The Driskill’s expanded meetings and events offerings, which now include more than 18,000 square feet of refreshed and new gathering space, including the 2,800-square-foot Citadel Ballroom.
Breen most recently served as Director of Sales, Marketing & Events at Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin, where he led sales and digital marketing efforts and drove growth in group revenue.
Other recent appointments at the Driskill included Jacqueline VanderMale as Director of Brand Strategy & Partnerships and Adrian Pitts as Director of Culinary & Event Services. Both bring extensive expertise in luxury hospitality and guest experience, and will play key roles in shaping the next chapter of this landmark Austin property.
