CEO Departures

Hopper to leave solar energy group

Abigail Ross Hopper will step down as president and CEO of the $34M-revenue Solar Energy Industries Association, effective Jan. 30, 2026. She has led the national trade group for the U.S. solar and storage industry since 2017.

“Abby has been a steadfast, visionary leader through many of the most challenging moments we have ever faced as an industry,” said Darren Van’t Hof, chair of SEIA’s board of directors. “Under Abby’s leadership, the U.S. solar industry has experienced over 600% growth and emerged as an economic juggernaut that is the leading source of new power in this country.”

During her tenure, Hopper guided the industry through a period of rapid expansion, with installed solar capacity growing from 36 gigawatts to more than 255 gigawatts. She helped launch key initiatives including the Solar and Storage Industries Institute and SEIA’s storage advocacy arm, while advancing efforts in supply chain traceability, recycling,\ and consumer protection.

SEIA’s board has begun a search for her successor.

CEO Arrivals

Althoff to helm cleaning industry group

Kim Althoff has been named executive director of $15.6M-revenue ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association (formerly the International Sanitary Supply Association), succeeding John Barrett, who has led the worldwide cleaning industry association since 2015. Barrett will transition to chairman emeritus, continuing to advise ISSA for the next three years.

“On behalf of the board, we are deeply grateful for his service and thrilled to welcome Kim into this role,” said Laurie Sewell, ISSA. “Her energy, strategic mindset, and deep industry relationships make her the ideal leader for ISSA’s next chapter.”

Althoff has spent nearly three decades at ISSA, most recently serving as executive vice president overseeing membership, events, media, sales, international operations, and ISSA Charities. She previously held senior roles including senior vice president, vice president of sales, trade shows and media, and director of conventions and meetings. Her tenure as executive director of ISSA begins Oct. 29, 2025.

She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Florida State University.

Tomlin to lead press group

Robyn Tomlin has been named executive director of the $3.5M-revenue American Press Institute, effective Dec. 1. She succeeds Michael D. Bolden, who led the organization since 2022.

“I’m thrilled to be welcoming Robyn to the American Press Institute, and I’m confident she will be an extremely effective executive director from day one,” said Danielle Coffey, president and CEO of the News/Media Alliance. “Her extensive experience leading newsrooms of all sizes and her undeniable passion for the health of journalism make her a perfect fit for what API can accomplish.”

Tomlin joins API after more than 30 years in journalism and media leadership, most recently serving as chief news and membership officer at publishing company McClatchy, where she oversaw editorial and audience strategy across 30 local news organizations, including The Miami Herald and The Kansas City Star. She previously held senior leadership roles at The News & Observer, The Dallas Morning News, Pew Research Center, Digital First Media and The New York Times Regional Media Group.

She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Staff Departures

Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America — Dwayne Carson has left his role as senior director of $1.4M-revenue WSWA to launch public affairs firm Carson Consulting. He joined WSWA in 2022 after nearly six years as managing director at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Staff Arrivals

Aerospace Industries Association — David Jenkins has joined $27M-revenue AIA as vice president of finance. He previously served as chief financial officer at the Society for Science and The Climate Reality Project and was an advisory group member for the Age of Learning Foundation.

American Investment Council — Chris Toppings has joined $24M-revenue AIC as co-head of government affairs. He was most recently a senior policy adviser to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), working on tax, trade and financial services issues. Earlier in his career, he served as legislative director to former Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and held senior policy roles with former Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Associated Equipment Distributors — Nathan Riggins has joined $7M-revenue AED as director of government affairs. He previously served as senior program manager at the National Democratic Institute and spent more than four years on Capitol Hill in the offices of Reps. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and Ted Lieu (D-Calif.).

Steel Manufacturers Association — Max Hyman has joined $2.2M-revenue SMA as director of government affairs. He was most recently director of transportation, infrastructure and labor policy at the National Association of Manufacturers. He previously served as director for government affairs at think thank The Cato Institute and spent more than eight years in the U.S. Senate, including roles with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

U.S. Travel Association — Erik Hansen has been promoted to senior vice president, head of government relations at the $33M-revenue U.S. Travel Association. He has worked in government relations for the association for more than 15 years and previously served as vice president of government relations. Before joining U.S. Travel, he was a legislative assistant on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and for Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine).