In continued efforts to align the organization to fully execute its multiyear strategic plan, the National Restaurant Association has named Hans Lindh as senior vice president of Membership and Industry Relations. In this new position, Lindh will oversee growing and improving membership outreach and the development of strategic partnerships.

“Hans has been a valuable member of our membership team over the past year as a special advisor, and has already greatly contributed to reaching some of our strategic goals,” says James Balda, chief marketing and communications officer for the National Restaurant Association. “We are excited to have Hans join us full time to further enhance our member value propositions and partnerships with other industry organizations. As the restaurant industry is recovering from the economic downturn, it is more important than ever to offer value-added services that help our members boost profitability.”

Lindh has been special advisor of strategic sponsorship for the National Restaurant Association since January 2010. Before this, Lindh was vice president of Restaurant Industry North America at American Express, based in New York City. In this role, he was responsible for expanding the company’s merchant business and trade relationships across the full-service restaurant industry. Prior to that, he was American Express’ head of Lodging & Restaurant Industries for Europe/Africa/Middle East, based in London.

Before joining American Express, Lindh has held positions at World Hotels, based in London and Frankfurt; Grand Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden; and Sheraton Hotels.

A native of Sweden, Lindh holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and lives in Greenwich, Connecticut.