Chip Rogers Resigns From AHLA, New Leadership Announced

The American Hotel & Lodging Association announced that William "Chip" Rogers resigned from his post as president and CEO last Friday to pursue other professional interests. Kevin Carey, AHLA's senior executive vice president and chief operating officer, is taking on the additional roles of interim president and CEO, effective immediately, until the Board of Directors has selected and onboarded a permanent replacement.

"We have been able to build one of America's most effective associations over the last five years," said Rogers in a statement. "As I move on to my next chapter, I am truly thankful for the opportunity I had to lead this incredible team and work alongside the industry's best leaders."

Rogers joined AHLA in January 2019 and guided the nation's largest hotel association through the pandemic. Prior to that, he spent nine years at the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, serving first as vice president of government affairs and public relations before ascending to president and CEO. Rogers also spent a decade in the Georgia State Senate, with two terms as the majority leader.

AHLA's Board of Directors is in the process of forming a committee to evaluate potential candidates to replace Rogers. The association also plans to retain an executive search firm.

Carey, who is leading the association in the interim, has served as AHLA's COO since 2017. He is credited with leading the association's strategic plan development, dues model changes, and a nearly 60 percent increase in revenue through membership growth, mergers and strategic partnerships. Previously, Carey spent more than 25 years with American Express, including as head of the Americas division and senior vice president of the global business travel client group.

"As we begin our search for a permanent AHLA president and CEO, the association is in capable hands," said Kevin Jacobs, AHLA's board chair and the chief financial officer and president of global development for Hilton, in a statement. "Kevin's deep knowledge of AHLA's operations and his relationships with hospitality stakeholders throughout the industry make him the right leader for AHLA during this transition."