Leadership Team

Luther Villagomez

Chief Operating Officer
Convention Center and Houston First Theaters

Luther Villagomez has been associated with the facility since 1985. He has directed day-to-day operations at Houston's premier meeting place since 1990 and was promoted to deputy director/general manager in 2003.  He was promoted to COO when Houston First was formed in 2011.

Villagomez has been involved in many major events at the George R. Brown, beginning with its construction in the mid-1980s and its official opening in 1987. He has seen many shows, such as the International Quilt Show and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, grow along with the facility.

The George R. Brown hosts more than 40 major conventions and more than 200 other events annually. Among the high points during Villagomez’s tenure include the completion of a $165 million expansion project to virtually double the size of the convention center in 2003, hosting fan festivals associated with the 2004 Super Bowl, 2004 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, 2006 NBA All-Star Game and successfully converting the convention center into a humanitarian shelter after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

His career with the city began as an event manager at Albert Thomas Convention Center, Jones Hall, Music Hall and Sam Houston Coliseum. Villagomez and his wife, Karen, have three children.

John S. Gonzalez, CMP, CDMP

Senior Vice President & General Manager
Convention and Cultural Facilities & Services

John S. Gonzalez, CMP is Senior Vice President and General Manager for Houston First venues, which include the George R. Brown Convention Center, Wortham Theater Center, Jesse H. Jones Center for the Performing Arts and Miller Outdoor Theatre. He served as longtime Senior Event Manager and Director of Guest & Event Services with the convention center before being promoted to Senior Vice President in January 2019.

Gonzalez has more than 25 years of experience in the convention/hospitality industry and currently oversees a team of 250 focusing on the day-to-day operations of the facilities. He manages an extensive operations budget for convention and cultural facilities and 200 contractual service employees for Audio Visual Services, Facility Services, Electrical & Telecommunication Services, Engineering Services, Food & Beverage, Housekeeping, Operations and Maintenance, and Security.

Gonzalez has been key to the success of major events held in Houston including Super Bowl XXXVIII and LI NFL Experience, NCAA Final Four, NBA All-Star events.

Gonzalez is a native Houstonian and very active in the community. He served 16 years in the U.S. Army Reserve which included multiple tours to Southwest Asia.