Blain Rethmeier has traded the insurance sector for the travel industry as he takes on a senior VP role to lead public affairs and government relations for the U.S. Travel Association, formerly the Travel Industry Assn.
Rethmeier |
He exits the senior VP/PA slot at the American Insurance Association.
The Washington, D.C.-based USTA post was vacated as Geoff Freeman was promoted to executive VP and chief operation officer of the trade group for the $1.8T travel sector.
Visa reform, the Transportation Security Administration and coordination with the newly created U.S. Corporation for Travel Promotion are on Rethmeier's agenda as he pitches the travel sector's importance to consumers and as key to job creation and economic growth.
Rethmeier exits the AIA after four years, joining in May 2007 from the White House, where he was a special assistant to the president for communications, handling PA for the National Economic council and Homeland Security Council.
Earlier, he was a press secretary for the Senate Judiciary Committee during the confirmations of Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito.