Penny Pritzker, a member of the Hyatt Hotels board and the daughter of Hyatt co-founder Donald Pritzker, was confirmed by the Senate today as the secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Pritzker was nominated to the post by President Obama in May.
Following her confirmation, U.S. Travel Association CEO Roger Dow said Pritzker was an "unparalleled choice" to lead the Commerce Department. "Her record of success as a business leader and entrepreneur, and lifelong affiliation with America's No. 1 services export, the travel industry, give her the experience and perspective to serve as anexemplary commerce secretary," he said.
Pritzker is the CEO of Pritzker Realty Group and holds law and business degrees from Stanford University. She was the national finance chairwoman for Obama's first presidential campaign.