RILA Promotes Austen Jensen to EVP, Government Affairs

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is pleased to announce Austen Jensen has been promoted to executive vice president of government affairs.

Jensen joined RILA in 2016 to handle the payments portfolio for RILA, leading retail efforts to promote transparency, innovation, and competition in the payment ecosystem. He is also responsible for financial services issues that fall under the jurisdiction of Securities and Exchange Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Reserve and other key regulators. He has been influential in working with the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Reserve to ensure legislation passed under the Dodd-Frank Act that protects the merchant community is enforced.

His role has expanded to include environmental and sustainability issues, which have risen in importance for retailers. Austen also leads the government affairs team that advocates for workforce policy, privacy, trade, tax, competition and innovation. Additionally, he is chair of RILA’s Retail Leaders PAC.

Jensen was recently recognized by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the 500 Most Influential People in Washington, DC.

“Austen is an exceptional advocate for leading retailers,” said Michael Hanson, RILA senior executive vice president of public affairs. “His keen insights, political acumen, dedication, and knowledge of the retail industry drive results for RILA’s members and the retail industry at large. Equally important, he is a caring and motivating leader and guided the RILA government affairs team through extraordinary circumstances during the pandemic. It’s a privilege to work with him, and I’m thrilled to recognize his contributions and value with this promotion.”     

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RILA is the US trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate.

RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.
 

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• Public Policy