Jo Ann Emerson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, has returned to the U.S. after a brain hemorrhage while vacationing in Italy, according to an association spokeswoman.

Emerson joined NRECA in 2013. She previously spent 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican lawmaker representing Missouri. Before launching a career in politics, she was senior vice president of public affairs for the American Insurance Association and director of state relations and grassroots programs for the National Restaurant Association.

In August, Emerson and her family were in Italy when she fell ill. At one point, doctors were keeping her sedated to aid her recovery, and it was unclear when she would return to the U.S. She is now stateside, but NRECA has released no further details about her condition.

However, the group said that get well cards can be sent to NRECA headquarters in Arlington, Va.: http://www.nreca.coop

MORE CEO DATELINE

• Advocates for hardwood, drone industries launch fall fly-in season
• Political science association takes heat for ‘baby ban'
• Associations ratchet up criticism of proposed overtime expansion
• Biotech association blasts hedge fund manager for challenging patents
• Business groups challenge FCC attempt to regulate robocalls