Rick Webster 
Vice President, Public Policy

Rick Webster joined U.S. Travel in March 1993 as Manager, Tax Policy and was promoted to Director, Tax Policy a short time later. In 1997 his title changed to Director, Public Affairs, and in December 2005, he was promoted to Vice President, Public Policy. He has over twenty years of experience lobbying local, state and federal government officials.

He began his career with U.S. Travel by directing a three-year program known as the Campaign to Keep Travel Competitive. This industry campaign highlighted and battled against the increasing level of taxes on the travel experience at the local, state and federal level.

Following the completion of the three-year tax campaign, Rick remained with U.S. Travel and began lobbying on federal legislative issues impacting the U.S. travel industry, with an emphasis on taxes and transportation. For nearly ten years he has been at the forefront of industry efforts to enhance facilitation of inbound travel to the United States, including a lead role in the successful permanent reauthorization of the Visa Waiver Program in 2000.

Prior to joining U.S. Travel he spent five years working for a coalition of advertising trade associations on state tax policy. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He and his family reside in Ashburn, Virginia.

Updated 5/12/09