The Georgia Hospital Association has promoted Earl Rogers as president and CEO to replace its longtime leader Joseph Parker.

Parker, who has served as the GHA's president and CEO since 1986, announced his retirement last July.

Rogers, 59, will step into the role on July 1. He currently serves as the association's senior VP of government relations.

Before joining the GHA in 2005, Rogers was senior VP of government affairs for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. That year, as the chamber's lead lobbyist, he worked with the GHA and the Medical Association of Georgia to help push through a controversial tort reform package. The Georgia Supreme Court would later overturn parts of the legislation.

Rogers began his career at the Georgia Power Co., where he held a number of positions in legislative affairs and regional management.