Juanita Duggan, who took over the American Forest & Paper Association just six months ago, abruptly tendered her resignation effective Monday, several sources confirmed. [IMGCAP(1)]

The sources said they did not know if Duggan was asked — or forced — to resign. One source said she left suddenly by her own choice, while others said it was a mutual decision between Duggan and the organization’s board.

Duggan herself said: “I was grateful for the opportunity to work there. The staff is wonderful, and I wish them all the best. I’m on to my next chapter.”

Several sources said that the move had nothing to do with Duggan’s partisan politics — she is a Republican — and more to do with personality conflicts between Duggan and the trade association’s board. Under Duggan’s leadership, AF&PA recently hired lobbyist Joel Johnson and a team from his all-Democratic firm Glover Park Group.

Duggan, who came to the AF&PA after running for many years the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, took over the forest-and-paper group while it was still struggling to define itself after a reorganization. At the time, the group’s membership also was in conflict over proposed legislation that would have changed a federal tax on timber land. Sources said the timber tax issue has been resolved, in large part, by Duggan. But others stressed that the industry and the association are nonetheless fraught with internal divisions, which made it difficult to run.

Capitol Closures. Public tours of the Capitol will be suspended today and several nearby streets will be closed to traffic as the 26th annual National Peace Officer’s Memorial Service takes place on the West Front.

The ceremony, which honors police officers who died in the line of duty in 2006, will begin at noon.

Several streets near the West Front will be closed, including First Street between Independence and Constitution avenues; Pennsylvania Avenue from First to Third streets Northwest; and Maryland Avenue from First to Third streets Southwest.

Public tours are scheduled to resume on Wednesday at 9 a.m.

— Kate Ackley and John McArdle