WASHINGTON, D.C.–The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) announced today that its president and chief executive officer Katherine Lugar will be departing the organization later this year. Lugar has accepted a new position as president and CEO of the American Beverage Association (ABA). The AHLA Officers of the Board have initiated a search for her successor.
During Lugar’s five-year tenure at AHLA, she led a transformation of the organization, including tripling membership and revenue; aligning the policy interests of brands, owners, and management companies; driving public policy campaigns on a host of issues; serving as the leading voice with public policy officials at all levels of government; and making its political action committee (PAC) one of the largest among all trade associations.
“I am fortunate to have worked with the outstanding staff and leadership of the American Hotel & Lodging Association,” said Katherine Lugar. “Together, we have made significant strides over the past five years. While I will dearly miss working with and for leaders of America’s iconic hotel companies and the truly exceptional AHLA staff, I am confident that the success of the organization will only continue and expand. It has been a true honor to represent this innovative and dynamic industry.”
AHLA Chair Mark Carrier stated, “We are grateful to Katherine for her dynamic leadership, passion, and drive to make the AHLA a highly effective force for the industry. And we wish her the very best as she takes on this new position. With the outstanding staff and leadership in place at AHLA, along with a strong board and executive committee comprised of our industry’s top leaders, we are well positioned for the future.”
“Over the past five years, Katherine and her team bolstered and improved every facet of our association’s operations. Today, AHLA’s advocacy efforts, engagement of industry leadership, financial strength, and political wherewithal have never been better. There is no doubt that the momentum we have achieved will only lead to new successes,” said AHLA Vice Chair Geoff Ballotti.
AHLA Secretary-Treasurer and HotelPAC Chair Jon Bortz stated, “Katherine’s efforts on AHLA’s behalf have set the stage for an effective future. With the talented team currently in place at AHLA and Katherine’s hands-on role during the transition, we fully expect to be well positioned for the upcoming year. The work AHLA undertakes for an industry employing millions of workers is critical and we look forward to continued success.”
In addition to the search process for the organization’s next leader, AHLA will continue to benefit from the leadership of its teams, in particular those led by Kevin Carey, executive vice president and chief operating officer; Brian Crawford, senior vice president of government affairs; and Rosanna Maietta, president of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AHELF), and senior vice president of communications and public relations.
