The Retail Industry Leaders Association has named Annette Guarisco, a former executive director of global public policy at General Motors, executive VP-public affairs. 
She takes the post Oct. 1.
In her 11-year stint at the automaker, Guarisco handled congressional relations, political advocacy, served as liaison to the AFL-CIO/United Auto Workers union, and did government relations in Canada and Mexico.
Earlier, she did a six-year stint at Honeywell as corporate director-public policy/government affairs.
Her Washington savvy includes stints on the staffers of former Senate Majority Leaders Bob Dole and Trent Lott.
At RILA, Guarisco fills the spot once held by Katherine Lugar, who left earlier this year to helm the American Hotel and Lodging Assn.
Arlington, Va.-based RILA says it represents more than 200 retailers, suppliers and service companies that combine for $1.5T annual sales from more than 100K stories.
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