Jonathan GrellaJonathan Grella, a political PR pro who led communications and served as senior advisor to the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the past two seasons, returns to Washington next week to head communications, government relations and grassroots for the travel industry's powerhouse trade group, the U.S. Travel Association.

Grella takes the senior VP, public affairs, slot on May 6.

Before his NFL stint, he was senior VP for Securing America’s Future Energy, handling comms., political and strategic efforts for that group focused on weaning the U.S. off of foreign oil.

On the Hill, he was press secretary to Maj. Leader Tom Delay (R-Tex.) and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.  

The USTA, based in Washington, works to increase travel to and from the U.S. and says it represents all components of the travel industry that generate $2 trillion in economic output and 14.6M jobs.