The announcement was made today at the association's headquarters in Washington, D.C., by 2001 AH&LA Chairman John Russell.

McInerney comes to AH&LA after serving as chief executive officer of the Bangkok, Thailand-based Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) since 1997. In his new position at AH&LA, McInerney will implement and direct the association's service to the U.S. lodging industry, providing leadership and guidance in developing programs and activities of value to its members.
    
"We are thrilled to find someone of Joe's caliber and character to accept the helm. His dual combination of extensive hospitality and association management experience makes him the perfect choice," said Russell. 
    
"Through the hard work and dedication of AH&LA's Executive Search Committee, headed by Dennis Boyer, executive vice president of the Irvine, Calif.-based recruitment firm Heidrick & Struggles, we were able to cull through nearly 100 candidates in just under four months to find the ideal individual to help fulfill the association's goals."
    
Prior to joining PATA, McInerney was president and chief executive officer of Forte Hotels, Inc., for five years. As a 24-year veteran of the hospitality industry, he has held top executive positions with the ITT Sheraton Corporation and Hawthorn Suites. 
    
In addition, McInerney is a long-time AH&LA loyalist serving in various leadership roles for the association and its affiliates, the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation and Educational Institute.
    
"I look forward to coming home and serving the U.S. hospitality industry with AH&LA. There are tremendous opportunities and challenges ahead, and I believe the possibilities are infinite," remarked McInerney to his new staff in Washington.
    
McInerney succeeds Bill Fisher, who announced in March his intention not to renew his five-year contract. He will fulfill his remaining obligation with PATA through the end of September, with intermittent stops in Washington to begin his AH&LA transition.
    
AH&LA, founded in 1910, is a federation of state lodging associations throughout the United States, with some 11,000 property members worldwide, representing more than 1.4 million rooms. AH&LA provides operations, technical, educational, marketing, and communications services plus governmental affairs representation to the lodging industry.