Kevin Burke

Kevin M. Burke is President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

Since he joined in 2001, AAFA has grown its membership base, member programs, and financial position, in addition to advancing its standing on Capitol Hill. With more than 30 years of experience as a government relations professional, Mr. Burke has previously led efforts for Food Distributors International, the American Bakers Association and the National Broadcasters Association.

Mr. Burke also worked as a legislative assistant, and later, press secretary to Representative Norm Lent (R-NY). He began his career in 1979 on the Republican National Committee and the Reagan-Bush Presidential Campaign. Mr. Burke currently serves as Chairman of Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) and sits on several boards, including the AAFA Education Foundation, Boys Hope Girls Hope, the Congressional Institute, the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Educational Foundation for the Fashion Industries, the International Apparel Federation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce National Chamber Foundation. Mr. Burke is also a member of various political and trade association CEO groups in the Washington, DC, area.

He received a master’s degree in public administration in 1983 from American University in Washington, D.C., and holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Brockport.