NEW YORK — First in Service (F1S) has appointed Gina Gabbard as its Chief Strategy Officer, effective immediately.
Reporting directly to F1S CEO Fernando Gonzalez, Gabbard will be responsible for developing and executing partnership development strategies, overseeing marketing initiatives in each marketplace F1S operates, identifying threats and strategic opportunities, and collaborating with the executive team to expand the business.
She brings with her over two decades of experience in travel sales, marketing and business development. Prior to joining F1S, she served as Vice President of Leisure and Independent Advisors at OvationNetwork, where she oversaw all areas of the multi-million-dollar division, including IC relations, supplier partnership and the company’s Virtuoso membership. Her previous roles include Chief Sales Officer at Lindblad Expeditions, Senior Vice President of Leisure & Independent Advisors at Ovation Travel Group, and Vice President of Leisure Sales at Tzell Travel Group.
“I am thrilled to join First in Service at such an exciting time in the company’s growth journey. F1S has firmly established itself as a leader among the top travel experience companies, and I look forward to leveraging my experience to further enhance the company’s strategic initiatives and drive sustainable growth,” said Gabbard.
On welcoming Gabbard to the team, Gonzalez added: “We are thrilled to bring Gina and her wealth of travel industry expertise to First in Service. Her appointment underscores our steadfast commitment to innovation and excellence in travel. With her strategic vision and leadership, F1S is well-positioned to continue delivering unparalleled experiences to our discerning clientele.”
New York-based First in Service was founded in 1991 by brother-and-sister entrepreneur team Fernando Gonzalez and Erika Reategui as a travel agency that bills itself as a travel experience company. It made its Canadian debut in 2022 with 25 Canadian travel advisors, and has plans to expand to Vancouver and Montreal as well. Following the agency’s Toronto debut, Travelweek interviewed Gonzalez about his expansion plans. To read that interview, click here.
