Susan Milhoan

President/CEO, Retail Alliance

Susan L. Milhoan joined Retail Alliance in February 2007 as the organization's sixth president and CEO since its founding in 1903. In her role at the helm of the organization, Milhoan oversees 20 employees and provides strategic planning, management and leadership to the 2,000-member organization. She was previously the president and executive director of the Greater Jackson County (Michigan) Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson County (Michigan) Convention and Visitor Bureau. Milhoan has more than 30 years experience in organizational management and public relations. Prior to moving to Michigan in 1998, she served as vice president of the Jacksonville (Florida) Chamber of Commerce. She also served as corporate communications officer for a major bank, director of public relations for an advertising agency and the managing editor of a medical journal in Florida. She received the Accredited Public Relations Practitioner (APR) designation in 1985. She holds a master of business administration degree from the University of North Florida and a bachelor of science degree in journalism from West Virginia University. Milhoan also completed a six-year program for Chamber of Commerce Executives at the University of Georgia in 1996 and is a certified Covey facilitator.

Recognizing that the retail sector is the second largest employer in the Hampton Roads area, Milhoan is actively engaged in a diversity of efforts to enhance the community, including Peninsula Workforce Development, Norfolk Convention & Visitors Bureau Training Foundation, Red Cross of Hampton Roads, Greater Norfolk Corporation, and the Advisory Board of Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters.