Four Top Business Executives Move On: GBA, CAA, YMCA and More

The Global Business Alliance (GBA) has announced the retirement of Nancy McLernon as president and CEO at the end of the year. Having founded GBA in 1990, McLernon has overseen the growth of the organization from less than a dozen members to over 200 of the world’s best-known global brands, including Anheuser-Busch, BP, and LEGO.

Starting on January 1, 2025, Jonathan Samford, currently the executive vice president of GBA, will succeed McLernon. Prior to joining GBA in 2013, Samford worked on Capitol Hill, including a role as the deputy press secretary in the office of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

Meanwhile, Scott Pearce has been named the next president of the Cigar Association of America, starting at the end of May. Pearce previously served as the executive director of the Premium Cigar Association.

Jeffrey Britt is taking on the role of senior vice president and chief government affairs officer at the YMCA of the USA. Prior to this, Britt was a senior vice president at McGuireWoods Consulting.

Cait DeBaun has joined American Beverage as vice president and head of public affairs. Previously, she served as vice president of strategic communication and responsibility at American Gaming Association.

In other news, Mike Smullen has become a partner at Alignment Government Strategies after spending more than two decades on Capitol Hill, with his most recent role being chief staff to retired Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio).