Tom Donahue, who led the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for more than 20 years before retiring in 2021, has died, the business lobbying giant announced Monday.
The chamber represents Washington's biggest businesses, spends more money on federal lobbying than anyone else, and operates out of an ornate building across the street from the White House.
When Mr. Donahue took over the chamber in 1997 after 13 years at the American Trucking Associations, he became the organization's face and voice at a pivotal time for big business and steered it through high-profile policy battles.
In a statement, the chamber said, “He revived the Chamber and took it from a good organization to a great organization, from a productive organization to a powerful organization, from the nation's capital to the world. It is no exaggeration to say that every corner of the company stands up for business.”
The former CEO always acted with “high energy and absolute integrity”, the chamber said.
But Donahue announced he would resign in 2019, just before the Wall Street Journal interview, and the scandal ended before he left the House. Article published He claimed to have used a corporate jet provided by the Chamber of Commerce for professional and personal purposes.
Donahue handed over the role of president to his successor, Suzanne P. Clark, but remained CEO until Clark retires in 2021. eventually became his successor.
After Donahue retired, he remained active in the Chamber of Commerce. advisors and members Member of the Board of Directors. He also served on the boards of the Hudson Institute, the Center for International Private Enterprise and Marymount University, the chamber said.
clark told Axios Donahue was said to be a “phone-a-friend” for people who needed connection or advice.
“The country has lost a great patriot. The business community has lost a strong champion and I have lost a mentor and one of my best friends,” Clark said.
Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, called Donahue a “mentor” who “helped before you asked.”
“When I started my role, just as other association executives get their footing, he invited me to lunch. We sat down and he drew up a game plan. He did this for so many people because he believed the business community is strongest “when we are all at our best,'' Timmons said in a statement.
Updated at 2:13 p.m. ET
