Washington, D.C. – May 16, 2017 – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced the appointment of Kevin Carey as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. This newly created position marks a pivotal point in AHLA’s recent evolution and will ensure that the organization is well positioned to build new revenue streams and further enhance value creation for its 24,000-strong membership base.
Carey comes to AHLA from American Express where he held senior roles in the company’s payments and business travel units. Most recently, Kevin served as Managing Director, The Americas, responsible for the largest strategic customers and revenue generating region in the global business travel joint venture company formed in 2014. Kevin brings a breadth of experience across the hospitality industry gained through his service as a board and executive committee member in numerous travel and tourism industry associations at the national and state & local levels. He will be a significant addition to the AHLA team with a focus on growth initiatives to better serve the organization’s large and growing membership.
“Kevin is a highly respected industry executive and accomplished leader with deep commercial experience and long-standing relationships with U.S. and global travel and hospitality companies. He will play a critical role in providing strategic direction to grow AHLA’s membership, build new revenues and forge new strategic partnerships to propel our industry forward. I’m thrilled to have him join our strong team and have every confidence that together we will further our growth and momentum,” said Katherine Lugar, president and CEO of AHLA. “At AHLA we’ve worked hard to pave a new path, sharpen our focus and effectiveness and drive unparalleled value to our members and Kevin brings exactly the skillset and business background and will play a pivotal role in our future growth and success.”
“AHLA is the leading voice for the hotel industry and I’m thrilled to be joining such a strong and passionate team at this important time,” said Carey. “Incredible changes are occurring in the lodging industry, as the industry landscape evolves and hotels invest in innovative new approaches to technology, guest services, loyalty programs and brand development and future workforce initiatives. I look forward to joining the dynamic AHLA team and working with Katherine to build on their many successes and guide the association to even greater heights in the future.”
Reporting to Lugar, Carey will join the executive team and will oversee operations, member relations and sales, conventions and events, revenue growth initiatives, and will manage the affiliate Educational Institute. He will be supported by strong teams, led by Matt Maclaren, Kimberly Miles, and Shelly Weir, who will continue to play a pivotal role in developing and executing on AHLA’s future opportunities and growth.
“AHLA has transformed under Katherine’s steadfast leadership to represent a united industry with a powerful voice and vision. Kevin’s depth of experience in building strategic partnerships and growing and accelerating sales and revenue will be instrumental in advancing AHLA and our advocacy agenda,” said Mark Carrier, AHLA Board Chair and President, B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to have him join the AHLA team, and am confident he will play a significant role in driving the next phase of our growth and evolution.”
Kevin has a wealth of experience, spending more than two decades rising through the ranks at American Express. He began his career in public affairs and was a member of the company’s government affairs office in Washington, D.C. for six years before transitioning to a series of client management and sales leadership roles. Since 2016, Kevin has been consulting with corporations, private equity firms, and start-ups on payment strategies and online/mobile travel-related solutions. He also serves as an advisory board member at Johns Hopkins University and Penn State.
