Lochlin Partners Recruits Chief Product and Innovation Officer for the Electronic Transactions Association
November 10, 2026 – Lochlin Partners has recruited Aimee Gabel as chief product and innovation officer at the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA). “Aimee brings a proven ability to build and transform products, programs, and experiences around the needs of an industry,” said Jodie Kelley, CEO of ETA.
Ms. Gabel brings extensive experience in association leadership, product development, education and member engagement. She joins ETA from the U.S. Travel Association, where she served as senior vice president of events and education and led the strategy and transformation of the association’s signature programs and experiences. Previously, as chief experience officer at Solar Energy Trade Shows, Ms. Gabel helped grow RE+ into North America’s largest clean energy event while expending its education, engagement, and product portfolio.
As chief product and innovation officer, Ms. Gabel will lead the strategy and development of ETA’s products, programs, events and educational offerings, working across the association to identify new opportunities to serve members and the broader payments industry.
“ETA sits at the center of one of the world’s most dynamic and innovative industries,” said Ms. Gabel. “There is a tremendous opportunity to build on ETA’s strong foundation, develop new products and experiences, and find new ways to create value for members. I’m excited to work with the team and with ETA’s members to do that.”
ETA is the world’s leading advocacy and trade association for the payments industry with nearly 500 member companies in 30 countries. Aimee brings more than 20 years of association leadership experience building and scaling the event, education, and membership-engagement platforms of mission-driven organizations.
Lochlin Partners conducts searches for board and executive-level positions within government and corporate affairs, government contracting, technology and services, higher education, the public sector, financial services, and healthcare. The firm is led by managing partners Liza Wright, and Pat Friel. Each of the managing partners has been in the search business for 20 or more years and has been a partner in one of the four large international firms—and in most cases has run a major office or practice at those firms.
Ms. Wright has over 25 years of experience in the executive search industry. Prior to co-founding Lochlin Partners, she served at the highest levels of government, working at the White House as the assistant to the President and director of Presidential Personnel. As the senior personnel advisor to former President George W. Bush, she met with the President regularly to recommend individuals to fill critical presidential appointments, including Cabinet Secretaries, ambassadors and other key positions in cabinet-level departments and U.S. regulatory agencies.
Related: Lochlin Partners Recruits SVP of HR for the National Association of Corporate Directors
For more than 25 years, Mr. Friel has provided executive search and leadership advisory services to a broad range of clients. He works extensively with clients in government, financial services, technology and professional services organizations, trade and membership associations, and non-profits, helping these clients build world-class management teams. Mr. Friel provides particular expertise in recruiting senior executives in the areas of general management (CEOs and general managers), financial management (CFOs, controllers, tax and audit leadership) and business management functions including marketing, business development, legal and human resources.
Recent CHRO Search
Lochlin Partners also recently placed DeLancey Johnson as chief human resources officer of Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT). “Delancey brings new perspective, experience, and leadership to CFT as we continue building a culture that supports our mission and our staff experts,” said Wayne White, president and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas. “His depth of experience leading people and talent strategies across complex organizations will be a tremendous asset as we continue investing in our team, our community, and strengthening CFT for the future.”
Mr. Johnson brings more than 20 years of human resources and executive leadership experience across public, private, non-profit, and healthcare organizations. Throughout his career, he has led enterprise-wide people strategies and partnered with executive leaders and boards to strengthen organizational culture, develop talent, improve employee engagement and align human resources strategies with organizational goals. Most recently, Mr. Johnson served as senior vice president and associate chief talent officer at Parkland Health in Dallas, one of the largest public health systems in the country.
Related: Lochlin Partners Recruits CFO for the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
