Kevin M Burke

Kevin M. Burke is the President & Chief Executive Officer of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Since Mr. Burke joined the AAFA in June 2001, AAFA has grown its membership base, its member programs, its financial position and its standing on Capitol Hill. Burke is a career government relations professional with over 25 years of experience in Washington. He previously served five years as vice president, government relations, for the Food Distributors International, a trade association representing wholesalers of food to independent grocers and restaurants. Burke was responsible for all aspects of the association’s outreach to Congress and the federal agencies on issues ranging from ergonomics to tax law and more. He also significantly expanded the scope of the association’s political action committee. From 1987 to 1995, Burke was vice president of government relations for the American Bakers Association. While there, he spoke on behalf of wholesale baking companies on legislative and regulatory issues, ranging from family/medical leave to transportation policy. Before that, Burke managed the government relations office of the National Association of Broadcasters. This role included coordinating visits by association member executives with Members of Congress, as well as fundraising and advocating on behalf of members to lawmakers and the administration. Burke also worked as a legislative assistant, and later, press secretary to Representative Norm Lent (R-NY). He began his career in 1979 at the Republican National Committee and the Reagan-Bush Presidential Campaign. Burke received a master’s degree in public administration in 1983 from the American University in Washington DC. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University at Brockport, NY. Married with two children, Burke enjoys golf and running, as well as coaching youth soccer and basketball near his family home in Great Falls, VA.