RILA exec takes top job at lodging group

Katherine Lugar will join the American Hotel & Lodging Association as president and CEO.

Lugar spent the past six years as EVP of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) where president Sandy Kennedy credited Lugar as a driving force behind the trade group’s growth and key legislative victories on behalf of the industry.

"As the leader of RILA’s public affairs efforts, Katherine has overseen a dramatic expansion of RILA’s efforts in the public policy space," Kennedy wrote to RILA members in an email. "During her tenure RILA’s investment in public affairs has more than tripled as RILA successfully took on deep pocketed and powerful opponents, including organized labor and Wall Street. As a result, America’s largest retailers have flocked to RILA and redoubled their commitment to the association and its mission."

In her new role at the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), Lugar will replace long-time CEO Joseph A. McInerney and is tasked with strengthening the group’s government affairs and public relations programs.

Prior to joining RILA, Lugar served as vp of federal government relations for Travelers Insurance. Before joining Travelers, Lugar held several posts at the National Retail Federation, ending up as vp of legislative and political affairs.