MEMBER SPOTLIGHT PAGE

Craig joined the family business, Rio Cibolo Ranch, as Marketing Director full-time in August of 2002.  Rio Cibolo Ranch is a 130 acre working Longhorn cattle ranch and pecan orchard that provides turn-key entertaining and catering services for special events. The Ranch is located 25 miles north east of San Antonio, TX and 50 miles south east of Austin, TX and has three facilities that groups can choose from to hold their private group function.  Craig is a graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin and obtained his law degree from Texas Wesleyan School of Law.  Craig relies on his legal and business background (former franchisee of Subway Sandwiches in Austin, Texas) to handle the marketing and advertising for Rio Cibolo Ranch as well as the day to day operations.  Craig is past president of the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association (’99-’00) and won the San Antonio Bar Association’s President Award in 1998 in recognition of his outstanding service to the Association for planning the First Annual Bench - Bar Conference, as the social and events coordinator. He is an active member of the International Special Events Society (V.P. of Communications and Director 2005-Present), the Alamo Area Hospitality Association, Meeting Professionals International – Texas Hill Country Chapter, the San Antonio Hotel and Lodging Association and a 2000 Leadership Lab Alumnus.  He has served as Chair of the San Antonio New World and Wine Festival (2007-2009), which holds its’ Totally Texas wine and food event at the Ranch.  Craig is a San Antonio native and is married to Cristie Lynn Christopher and they have three children, Caroline (14), Chandler (11), and Colby (8).  Craig considers his mentor to be his mother, Marjie Christopher, the Catering Director and Founder of Rio Cibolo Ranch. Her creativity, passion, energy and 40 plus years in the Special Event Industry has been a valuable asset to Craig and his professional growth. Craig enjoys fishing, golf and fine wine and food. Most of all, he enjoys his three kids all of which are active sports enthusiast. Craig has coached many of his kids teams over the years.

I am honored to be on the AAHA Member Spotlight page.  I got my first taste of the Hospitality Industry working at the US Pavilion at Hemisfair in 1968.  My career has included working at the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, Director of Sales at several hotels including the Menger, Crockett and Gunter, SeaWorld and my current position coordinating local marketing and promotions for Traders Village.

I have a great passion for dancing and also being involved in organizations like University Park Neighborhood Association.  I have served as President of AAHA in the 80's, 90's and in 2000. 

Something that no one knows about me is that I have been married to the same man for 44 years.

I have been in the Hospitality Industry since 1997. I worked at Fiesta Texas in the Entertainment Department holding various positions including Technician, Dresser, Stage Manager, Production Supervisor and a Costume Character. I loved when I worked with Pyrotechnics and was able to blow stuff up! I was also in their marketing department for two years as sales support and hosting picnics. After Graduating from UTSA in 2003, I became a Meeting Planner for TRUE Research Foundation planning Military Medical Events, after traveling for a few years with different events, I decided to take a position that kept me closer to home. In 2007, I fell in love with the Freeman Company and began working in their Audio Visual Division.

My favorite past-time is hanging out with my husband, James, and our daughter, Addison. We love finding places where Addison can play and we can enjoy a tasty beverage! I love being outdoors- swimming, water skiing, tubing, hiking, etc. I am an improv comedian in the Comedy Sportz Troop and my husband and I are training for our third half-marathon (I like it because I have a valid reason to EAT MORE CARBS).