For Fernando Gonzalez, travel has always been about far more than getting from one
place to another. It is about people, connections, culture, and how seeing the world can
change how we see one another.

Fernando co-founded First in Service (F1S) with his sister, Erika Reategui, in 1991.
What began as a shared entrepreneurial idea between two siblings has grown into an
international travel company built on relationships, creativity, service, and a genuine
passion for the people behind the journey.

As CEO, Fernando focuses on the big picture: strengthening global partnerships,
identifying growth opportunities, and guiding the company forward while protecting the
culture and personal approach that have been part of F1S since the beginning. He is
known for his optimism and belief that possibility can almost always be found, even in
challenging moments. His longtime philosophy says it best: “The glass is always ¾ full.”

Travel is woven into Fernando’s story. His mother ran one of New York’s early woman-
owned travel agencies, giving him and his family the chance to explore different
countries, cultures, people, and cuisines from a young age. Those experiences became
education, shaping his belief that travel can broaden perspectives, foster understanding,
and open doors.

That belief in the transformative power of opportunity is also behind one of Fernando’s
most meaningful endeavors: F1S Helps, the 501(c)(3) charitable organization created
by the F1S community. Supporting others has long been a personal passion of
Fernando’s, and F1S Helps provides a way to turn that passion into action. Its mission
is to positively impact individuals, children, and communities through education, travel,
and support, creating opportunities that broaden horizons and strengthen communities.

Travel also remains deeply personal. Fernando and his wife, Awilda, who is part of the
F1S leadership team, shared their love of exploration with their daughter, Sofia,
traveling together and creating memories around the world. Some destinations have
been unforgettable, but for Fernando, the greatest value of travel has never been about
how many places one has visited. It is about the people met along the way, what we
learn from them, and how those experiences stay with us long after we return home.

More than 35 years after starting F1S, Fernando remains most energized by what
comes next: the next relationship, the next idea, the next destination, and, increasingly,
the next opportunity to use travel and the F1S community to make a meaningful
difference.