Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association announces Joe Massaro as new president & CEO
Harrisburg, Pa. (June 22, 2022)—The Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association today announced the organization’s Board of Directors has appointed Joe Massaro, an accomplished hospitality executive and operational leader, as the next president and CEO. Massaro will assume his role on July 25, 2022. He succeeds John Longstreet, who will retire on July 31.
Massaro brings more than 30 years of hospitality and management experience to this role, including significant executive leadership experience. He most recently served in the dual role as the regional director of operations for Greenwood Hospitality and the general manager of the Hilton Harrisburg, a role he has held since 2017. He directed the Hilton Harrisburg’s renovation, including the development and launch of the property’s onsite restaurants, 1700 Degrees Steakhouse and Ad Lib Craft Kitchen & Bar. He also was responsible for establishing Harrisburg’s exclusive social club, The Hill Society.
“Joe’s proven leadership ability in the hospitality and tourism sectors, coupled with his service in hospitality and business organizations gives him an ideal background to lead an association like PRLA,” said Tom Neely, PRLA chairman of the board. “His professional experiences provide him with a unique perspective on how all sectors of our industry are interconnected and intertwined with the overall health of the economy and consumers’ quality of life.”
“The opportunity to serve in a leadership role with a topflight organization like PRLA does not come around often,” said Massaro. “PRLA has been an invaluable resource to the industry, particularly over the last two years, and I look forward to working with our team and our members to continue advancing it forward.”
Throughout his hospitality career, Massaro has been actively involved in various volunteer capacities for industry associations, visitor’s bureaus, chambers of commerce, and civic groups.
Massaro’s appointment concludes a four-month national search process completed by a search committee with support from Pyramind LLC, an executive search consultant.
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Contact:
PRLA
Stephanie Otterson
(717) 963-8369
[email protected]
Food Shelter PR
Abby Snopek
(717)517-6694
[email protected]