Guest Services is governed by a board of trustees, each member of which was selected from the leadership ranks of diverse businesses and industries. The vision and day-to-day operations of our company are the responsibility of extremely experienced and talented executive staff. Together, our leaders ensure that Guest Services continues to drive its mission, preserve its core values, and grow into the next century of our operations.
Nico Foris was appointed to Chief Executive Officer of Guest Services, Inc. on January 1, 2022. Since joining the Company in 2012, he served in several executive positions including as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Under his leadership, Foris has cultivated many of the key relationships and growth opportunities throughout the major divisions of the Company, including partnerships with National and State Parks, recreation, hotels and lodging, contract food services, and condominium management. Foris led the acquisition efforts for the Lodge at Breckenridge, Boston Outdoor Recreation and several other strategic projects which have expanded the depth of the overall hospitality portfolio.
Prior to joining Guest Services, Foris started his career within the audit practice at PriceWaterhouseCoopers. While there, he serviced several of the largest and most prominent clients within the banking and capital markets space including Bank of America, PNC, and The Federal Reserve Bank of the United States. He was later promoted to the Organization’s National Office – Securities and Exchange Commission division. Foris was subsequently hired as Chief Financial Officer in 2008 by the Washington Commanders, one of the largest National Football League franchises. Under his tenure there, he was responsible for the financial activities and oversight within the organization.
He is a member of the Economic Club in Washington D.C., Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, and National Park Hospitality Association. He is involved in several community initiatives including an active role in Guest Services’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and Our Planet sustainability platform, an advisory board member for a youth sport’s start-up company called Soccer Studio, and a member of the AICPA. He created the Guest Services Culinary Forum, a collaborative group of leading chefs exploring improvements within culinary operations. Nico has been on Guest Services’ Board since January 1, 2020. Foris holds a B.S. in Accounting from The Pennsylvania State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. He resides in McLean, Virginia with his wife Heather and three daughters.
xStoltzfus joins Guest Services with nearly 20 years of experience in the business and technology industries.
Stoltzfus has attained diverse skills across different industries, including technology, financial, and entertainment services. Previously, as Chief Financial Officer of Fundation Group LLC, a technology services and specialty finance company, he led a variety of business operational functions and initiated new partnerships for the company’s growth. Stoltzfus delivered excellent customer service to public and private companies alike at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and led financial and stadium ticket operations during his tenure at the Washington Commanders.
Stoltzfus holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from James Madison University.
xJeff Ritter joined Guest Services, Inc. in 2013 as Senior Director of Internal Audit before transitioning to the company’s former subsidiary, Lancaster Foods, in 2014 as Vice President of Finance. In this role, he oversaw Accounting, Human Resources, IT, and Transportation while playing a key role in the divestment of Lancaster Foods in 2020. He returned to the Guest Services corporate office in 2021, where he is responsible for contract review, insurance, risk management, and litigation.
With over 30 years of experience in business operations and customer service, Mr. Ritter previously served 20 years as Vice President of Ticket Operations with the Washington Redskins and spent four years with the American University Athletic Department.
Mr. Ritter holds a B.A. from William & Mary and an M.B.A. from American University.
xChris Bloyer joined Guest Services, Inc. in 2022, bringing over 30 years of experience in operational management and leadership. He has played a key role in managing teams, overseeing capital projects, fostering strategic partnerships, and driving business growth across the Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland regions.
Since joining the company, Mr. Bloyer has overseen operations at several of the nation’s most prominent National Park locations, museums, and landmark destinations. He has been instrumental in expanding dining and recreation offerings, enhancing guest experiences, and developing new partnerships that support the company’s long-term growth.
Mr. Bloyer began his career in 1991 with Day & Zimmerman, managing contracts for prestigious institutions such as the U.S. Geological Survey, Architect of the Capitol, U.S. Senate Computer Center, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the National Building Museum. He played a pivotal role in opening the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum in 1993. From 2001 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2022, he worked for the Washington Commanders, overseeing training camp operations, concerts, college football, international soccer, and other major events.
In addition to his hospitality and event management background, Mr. Bloyer served as Chief Operating Officer at Recurrent Innovative Solutions, an energy services company, from 2012 to 2015. He also contributed to the next generation of industry leaders as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s Sports Industry Management Program from 2015 to 2022, teaching post-graduate students strategies to enhance the guest experience.
Mr. Bloyer studied business administration at the University of Maryland and completed federal contracting certificate programs at George Washington University.
xBrandy Frederich joined the company in 2016 and has been instrumental in enhancing guest experiences and driving operational success across some of the most iconic national and state park properties, including Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park in California. Under her leadership, Guest Services has strengthened key partnerships, expanded e-commerce and retail operations, and achieved significant revenue growth in various strategic projects.
Ms. Frederich has over 25 years of experience in concessions management, having started her career in parks in 1996. She has held leadership roles across multiple concessionaires nationwide, developing expertise in multi-unit operations, quality assurance, compliance, historic preservation, and strategic planning. Her ability to cultivate strong relationships within surrounding communities has been a cornerstone of her success in hospitality management.
With a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences, Ms. Frederich continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of hospitality at Guest Services, Inc.
xLaura Sherman, CAM, Assistant Vice President, Hospitality Division. Laura joined Guest Services in 2009 supporting and leading multiple projects, properties and various efforts within the Hospitality Division. Before joining Guest Services, she spent 22 years in leadership and management roles overseeing several Hilton brands including the Doubletree Hotels as General Manager in Orlando, Boca Raton, Atlanta, and several other cities. She is a graduate of Stockton University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance. She is credentialed as a Community Association Manager in Florida and has served for 17 years as part of the Executive Committee of Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association. Laura is a Skal Orlando and Southwest Florida member. She was Rotary International’s past president.
xRod Taylor joined Guest Services in 2019 and has over 44 years of hospitality experience including marina, property, recreation, tour, hotel, dining, and retail management. He directs five operations in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Mount Rainier National Park, Big Sur State Park, two operations in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, and Stehekin National Park.
Taylor directs full-service marinas, lodging and dining operations in distinctive locations that also include unique recreational opportunities such as houseboat rentals, water, and land tours.
xBarry Trice joined Guest Services in 1997 and has over 33 years of hotel, dining, condominium, and recreation management experience. He oversees Guest Services’ lodging operations such as the award-winning DoubleTree Suites by Hilton-Naples, Mount Rainier National Park, Big Sur State Park, Bear Mountain State Park, and several condo hotels.
Trice directs dining operations at unique establishments that include colleges, restaurants, museums and upscale senior living facilities. His experience ranges from limited service to Four-Diamond hotels.
xJoana Vasilescu joined Guest Services, Inc. in 2022, bringing extensive experience in condominium and property management. She has played a key role in the company’s expansion, focusing on delivering exceptional resident services in the greater Naples, Florida area and strengthening operational efficiency across the portfolio.
Since joining the company, Ms. Vasilescu has led the growth of the condominium and property management division, enhancing the resident experience and driving continued success. Her expertise in hospitality, operations, and community management has been instrumental in shaping the division’s long-term strategy and service excellence.
Ms. Vasilescu began her career in 2007 with Marriott International, later serving as Regional Operations Specialist for the Eastern Region, where she oversaw a portfolio of 42 hotels and condominium residences. In 2016, she joined Equity Lifestyle Properties as Regional Property Manager, focusing on training initiatives, client relationships, quality assurance, and staff development. Her experience spans condominiums, HOAs, assisted living facilities, and motor coach resorts.
Ms. Vasilescu holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Hunter College CUNY, a master’s degree in hospitality management from Cornell University, and an MBA from Chadron State College. She also holds professional certifications, including Licensed Community Association Manager and Certification in Assisted Living Facilities.
xRick Wayland joined Guest Services in 2008, as Director, D.C. Metro Recreation and Dining Services; he was promoted to Assistant Vice President in 2010 and Vice President in 2011.
Wayland brings 28 years of management experience in the hospitality industry throughout the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., area, spanning the business dining, government and military dining, school dining, retail operations, and vending industry segments. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Psychology.
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