WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Beverage Association (ABA) today announced that President and CEO Katherine Lugar will be departing at the end of March to return to the hotel industry as Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs at Hilton. Lugar has served as President and CEO since January 2019. The ABA Board of Directors will announce an interim structure in coming days as it undertakes the process to appoint its next president and CEO.

During her tenure at ABA, Lugar led one of the largest trade associations, representing the non-alcoholic beverage industry’s interests in the nation’s capital and across the country.  Among her numerous accomplishments, Lugar oversaw the development of the industry’s first joint sustainability leadership effort, Every Bottle Back, and its front-footed advocacy for modern collection systems, including rallying support for Colorado’s extended producer legislation passed in 2022. Lugar also successfully led the effort to secure federal infrastructure funding to modernize and improve recycling systems across the country. With Lugar at the Association helm, the industry oversaw transformative innovation that has resulted in nearly 60 percent of beverages sold today containing zero sugar. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, the association successfully advocated for industry frontline workers to be considered essential workers. 

“We are grateful to Katherine for her steady and expert leadership over the years and wish her all the best as she moves into this exciting new role at Hilton,” said Matthew Dent, Chair of the ABA Board of Directors. “We are also looking forward to continuing our partnership with the incredible ABA staff to continue our efforts to bring Americans more choices with less sugar, advance our environmental leadership and numerous other commitments that pave the way for our industry’s successful future.”

Prior to joining ABA, Lugar served as President and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). 

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