Stan Bowman joins WLA as the association’s new president and CEO.

Stan Bowman joins WLA as the association’s new president and CEO.

StanBowman(April 1, 2015) Stan Bowman, a skilled executive and policy advocate with a strong background in legislative and regulatory affairs in both Washingtons, is WLA’s new president and chief executive officer. He replaces Jan Simon who retired on March 31 after leading WLA for 15 years.

Stan has more than 20 years’ experience in association management and public affairs and served as executive director and lead lobbyist for the American Institute of Architects Washington Council from 2004 to 2014. He also brings extensive experience advocating for the hospitality industry. He was the director of government affairs for the Washington Restaurant Association (WRA) from 2001 to 2004, leading a team responsible for lobbying, grassroots advocacy, public relations and coalition development. During his tenure, he oversaw the passage of many new laws benefitting the hospitality industry including landmark unemployment insurance reform, unclaimed property reform that saves the industry tens of millions of dollars each year and the adoption of the national model FDA Food Code for use in our state.

His career started in the other Washington for members of Congress and associations. In 2014, he founded Bowman Association & Advocacy Management, which offers operational management and government relation services to nonprofits. Stan holds Bachelors of Arts degrees in political science and communications from Northwestern College in Iowa.

As WLA’s new president & CEO, Stan’s responsibilities include advancing the plan to partner with WRA in creating a combined hospitality association. The WLA Board of Directors has been in discussions with WRA on combining the two associations into one organization in order to deliver even greater results to members and the industry.

“It is an important time for WLA, and we are extremely fortunate to have Stan lead our staff. He has many years of high level of association management experience, a deep knowledge of Washington State politics and an understanding of the hospitality industry,” says Matt Van Der Peet, WLA’s chair elect and general manager at Sheraton Seattle Hotel.

If you would like to contact Stan, please click here to email or call 206-306-1001.

Read about Jan Simon’s retirement.

Learn more about the establishment of a new hospitality association.