WASHINGTON, DC—Katherine Lugar, EVP of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), has been named president & CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, effective April 17.
“Katherine joins us as the association embarks on a new mandate to become the lodging industry’s primary voice for advocacy in the nation’s capital,” Ron Vlasic, AH&LA chair, said in a statement. “She is eminently qualified to transform AH&LA by significantly strengthening its government affairs and media outreach.”
Lugar has spearheaded RILA’s public affairs efforts for the past six years. Prior to that, she served as VP of federal government relations for Travelers Insurance. She has also worked in numerous roles at the National Retail Federation, ultimately serving as VP of legislative and political affairs.
Joe McInerney, AH&LA’s current and long-serving president & CEO, plans to stay on through a period of transition.
Katherine Lugar