Meet the Team

Alex Bastian

President & CEO

  • Alex Bastian, a San Francisco native, is the President and CEO of the Hotel Council of San Francisco. He leads the city’s hospitality community, a vital sector employing 20,000 people and generating hundreds of millions in annual tax revenue. A dedicated advocate for the industry, Alex spearheaded the first-ever business tax cut ballot initiative in San Francisco, Proposition M in the 2024 election cycle and successfully led efforts for increased investments in public safety.

    He formed the industry’s first Security Committee, partnering with SFPD to enhance safety outcomes, and has worked nationally to reshape San Francisco’s narrative and promote sustainable tourism.

    Before joining the Hotel Council, he served as Special Advisor to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and as Assistant District Attorney and Deputy Chief of Staff at the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA and a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law. 

    Alex speaks five languages and has appeared in media outlets on topics from public safety to human rights. Named among the Bay Area’s Top 100 People to Know by the San Francisco Business Times, Alex harnesses his seasoned expertise and relentless drive to help champion San Francisco’s hospitality and tourism success, always working together to put our city first.

Raina Christeson

Manager, Communications & Membership

  • Raina Christeson is the Project Coordinator at the Hotel Council of San Francisco. She organizes and executes communications and marketing projects to support the organization’s advocacy efforts, internal operations, and industry events. Previously, Raina has worked in education and political advocacy, as a substitute teacher and an organizer conducting voter outreach and directing field operations for political campaigns. Raina graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, Music, and Rhetoric (Public Discourse), achieving Highest Honors in Geography. A classically trained violinist, she has traveled to Washington DC, France, Spain, and Central Europe for performance tours and she is a recipient of the 2018 Mary Nunes Souza Prize from the UC Berkeley Department of Music. Raina was also honored with the 2021 Departmental Citation in Geography from the UC Berkeley Department of Geography, a prize that is awarded to one student each year in recognition of exceptional undergraduate work across all realms of Geographical inquiry. She is inspired in her daily work by the creativity, adaptability, and discipline she developed as a classically trained violinist. Outside of work, Raina likes to spend time exploring the Bay Area’s unique neighborhoods and beautiful outdoor parks. She was born and raised in San Francisco.

    rchristeson@hotelcouncilsf.org

Jack Bevilacqua

Project Coordinator

  • Jack Bevilacqua is the Project Coordinator at the Hotel Council of San Francisco, where he organizes and executes communications and marketing projects, including visual design and brand strategy, to support the organization’s advocacy efforts, internal operations, and industry events. Previously, he completed a brand strategy internship in Barcelona, Spain, where he  helped local businesses with their brand relaunch plans to enter their desired markets. He also served as a Communications Manager for Bevilacqua and Sons Construction and as a Field Organizer for political campaigns.

    Jack Bevilacqua recently graduated from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) with a B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications, specializing in visual design and brand strategy, along with a minor in General Business Administration. He also attended Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo.

    Driven by a relentless desire to be a positive force of good, Jack is committed to fostering mutual understanding and teamwork in every project he undertakes. He is passionate about learning and exploring what motivates people, with a focus on contributing to making the community and the world a better place. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, skiing, playing sports, and staying active.

    jbevilacqua@hotelcouncilsf.org

HOW TO STAY INFORMED

Connect With Us On Social Media!

Want to be the first to hear about our industry events?
Follow us on social media and please share our updates.