Five Brand USA board members abruptly fired by White House: report

Turbulence at Brand USA as five of the organization’s board members, including its chair, have been fired, according to a report.  

As first reported by Skift, noting three sources familiar with the dismissals, the abrupt action took place via email on Friday (April 25).

The five board members who were let go were Chair Elliott Ferguson, CEO of Destination DC; Vice Chair Lauren Bailey, CEO of Upward Projects; Kristen Esposito, principal of Esposito Global Partners; Secretary Allen Orr, founder of Orr Immigration Law; and Tim Mapes, chief marketing and communications officer at Delta Air Lines.

The board has 11 members, who are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce with input from the U.S. Secretaries of State and Homeland Security.

"Trump is turning over the board," one source told Skift.

Brand USA has not publicly commented on the dismissals.

The update comes just as Brand USA begins its Canada Connect East events in Toronto and Montreal.

Taking place from April 28 – May 2, 2025, the multi-city events are designed to deepen the connections between Canadian travel professionals and U.S. destinations.

With the recovery of international travel and shifting travel trends on both sides of the border, Canada Connect East arrives “at a pivotal moment,” reads a press release that was issued.

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