Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced today that Michael J. McGarry has joined the organisation as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. McGarry is a veteran senior executive with extensive corporate, agency, trade association and political experience, most recently serving as Managing Partner for R2M Solutions, LLC, a risk and reputation management firm he founded in Washington, DC.

“I am very pleased to have Mike McGarry join the CLIA team. Mike’s unique and varied set of experiences and skills made him the unanimous choice to lead CLIA’s public affairs and communications functions,” said Christine Duffy, CLIA President and CEO. “This hire represents an important step toward making CLIA a world-class trade association with a dynamic staff to meet the demanding needs of the rapidly changing and growing global cruise industry.”

McGarry brings to CLIA deep public affairs, communications, public policy and international experience. Prior to R2M Solutions, McGarry held senior level communications and consulting positions with numerous industry-leading brands, including Royal Dutch Shell plc, Visa Inc., Harrah’s Entertainment, MasterCard Incorporated, KPMG and Marsh & McLennan. For Royal Dutch Shell he served in London as head of global external affairs and communications for Shell Chemicals Ltd. and head of RDS group media relations for the U.S. He also led public affairs at AdvaMed (Advanced Medical Technology Association) and was director of public affairs with Visa U.S.A. and a vice president with Fleishman-Hillard Inc.

McGarry began his career on Capitol Hill, serving on the staff of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services as press secretary and then deputy staff director.

McGarry will be based at CLIA’s Washington, D.C. headquarters and will report directly to Duffy. His core responsibilities will include issues management, crisis communications, government affairs, member communications and stakeholder engagement. He will liaise closely with CLIA’s Government Affairs and Public Relations Committees. McGarry officially joined the CLIA team on January 23rd.

The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world’s largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 26 member lines and participates in the regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research, and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members across North America.