Keith A. Cline

Keith A. Cline is the Chief Executive Officer of the combined CEA Study Abroad and CAPA: The Global Education Network organization. Keith has been active in higher education for many years and has dedicated his time and philanthropic endeavors to developing well prepared and globally minded students. This includes the endowment of The Cline Leadership Academy at The University of Akron, his alma mater, which seeks to develop students into effective team leaders today and worldwide leaders for the future, and an endowment to The Ohio State University to The Shumaker Complex, a comprehensive training, wellness, and educational facility aimed at collaboration, innovation, and learning for student-athletes.

Prior to joining CEA/CAPA, Keith spent 20 years in executive leadership roles with hospitality and specialty retail brands and has extensive experience in strategy development, operational excellence, and building highly effective teams. His passion for leading people and building strong and diverse values-based cultures is the perfect intersection with the mission and purpose of the combined CEA/CAPA organization.

Most recently, Keith was the President & CEO of La Quinta Inns & Suites and its successor company, CorePoint Lodging Inc. He serves on the Texas FFA Foundation Board and is a member of World 50, a private global community of senior executives.

Keith is a summa cum laude graduate of The University of Akron with a B.S. in Accounting and an M.B.A. in Finance.