NRF Hires Martino, Ups Provenzano

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has appointed Paul G. Martino as VP and senior policy counsel, and promoted Beth Provenzano to VP for federal government relations.

Both executives will work with the NRF government relations department to concentrate on emerging public policy priorities, including data security, payments, mobile and e-commerce, privacy and patent reform.

Martino, who has served as a consultant for NRF on a number of industry issues since 2008, comes from the Washington office of the law firm Alston & Bird LLP, where he served as partner and co-chair of the firm's privacy and data security practice.  He also served as majority counsel to the Senate Commerce Committee and principal advisor on privacy and e-commerce to its Chairman, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.  

Having worked with NRF since 2011, Provenzano has advanced the organization's reform efforts with regard to patent litigation and swipe fees. She previously served as deputy chief of staff for the Office of the Secretary of the Senate and staffed Senators John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and Bob Graham, D-Fla.

“Beth and Paul have been valuable members of our team for a number of years whose in-depth knowledge of the retail industry and relationships on and off Capitol Hill will go a long way in advancing the retail industry’s public policy priorities," said NRF President/CEO Matthew Shay.

Washington, D.C.-based NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries.