New Mexico Hospitality Association CEO to retire next month

The CEO of the New Mexico Hospitality Association, a nonprofit representing the state’s restaurant, hotel and tourism industry, will retire next month.

Kathy Komoll, the organization’s CEO since 2018, announced Monday that she will step down at the end of November, following NMHA’s annual awards ceremony.

Before joining NMHA, Komoll spent a decade as the executive director for the New Mexico Association of Food Banks and served as a vice president and corporate spokesperson for Furr’s Supermarkets.

As she looks back on her tenure at NMHA, Komoll said she’s most proud of the alliances she helped form with other associations across the state and the country, including the American Hotel and Lodging Association and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association.

Komoll helmed the organization through the pandemic, and said it’s gratifying to see NMHA and the hospitality industry make a recovery after a difficult few years.

“It was hard on our organization because of the impact on meetings and networking events and things like that,” she said. “And then, of course, all of our members had their own really significant struggles to deal with.”

Komoll replaced former NMHA CEO Jen Paul Schroer — who went on to become a cabinet secretary in the administration of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham — nearly seven-and-a-half years ago. A successor for Komoll has not yet been announced.

“We thank Kathy for her service and contributions to the organization during her tenure,” NMHA President Ray Roa said in a statement. “The board is committed to ensuring a smooth transition and has put in place to guide the organization during this important period.”

Combined, hospitality and tourism is one of New Mexico’s largest private industries, employing more than 90,000 people statewide and generating over $8.8 billion in spending each year, including $2.8 billion in lodging, according to the New Mexico Tourism Department.

State data shows New Mexico’s travel and tourism industry has made a resurgence after a pandemic slump.

“It bodes really well for New Mexico’s future, as far as sort of a destination hot spot,” Komoll said. “So I think there’s nothing but blue sky for hospitality and tourism across the state.”