Guest Services gets a new CEO

Nico J. Foris is the new chief executive of Guest Services, effective Jan. 1, 2022. He joined the company as CFO in 2012 and for the last three years, has served as COO.

Fairfax, Va.-based Guest Services is a provider of hospitality management solutions in dining services, senior living, hotels and resorts, and recreational and leisure operations, including the National Park Service.

Foris succeeds current CEO Gerard T. Gabrys, who will continue to serve as Chair of the Board.

“The promotion of Mr. Foris is the culmination of our succession plan put in place several years ago,” Gabrys said in a statement. “Nico will continue our legacy of providing excellent service to our clients and will move our great organization forward into the next chapter when he assumes the role of CEO.”

During his time at Guest Services, Foris has led growth initiatives for National Park Service contracts, including Lake Mead National Recreation Area, as well as Lake Roosevelt, part of the State Park system. He was integral in executing the largest transaction in the company’s history with the sale of Maryland-based Lancaster Foods in 2020, positioning the brand for long-term growth.

In his new role, Foris looks to strengthen the company’s expertise across its service areas in a new environment post-pandemic. Among the National and State Park systems, he aims to add new sites throughout the country and expand into more senior-living operations. Guest Services recently added St. Anthony’s in Kansas City, and Foris sees this work as an example of the company’s ability to offer full-service management of independent living, assisted living, and memory care properties.