The U.S. Commerce Department under Secretary Howard Lutnick abruptly fired five of the 11 board members of Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization, last week. It seems even the ...

Five Brand USA board members, including the chair and vice chair, were abruptly fired via email. The board members are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce with input from other top officials.

Brand USA did not comment on the removal of the five board members. The Commerce Department is Brand USA’s appointing authority. The 11-person board also included Gus Antorcha, president of ...