Former colleagues in the association community remembered the late former U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue as a towering figure, a mentor, and a man of compassion who nonetheless fought doggedly in countless major policy battles. He was considered the dean of the association community. 

Donohue, who died Oct. 14, took on leadership of the Chamber in 1997 and turned it into a lobbying powerhouse. He had previously been CEO of the American Trucking Associations for 13 years. Donohue led the Chamber as president and CEO until early 2019, then as CEO until he retired in 2021. Suzanne Clark was named president in 2019 and became CEO upon Donohue’s retirement. 

The Chamber, in a statement, said Donohue was a “visionary leader” who “resurrected” the organization.

“Throughout his extraordinary life, Tom was many things — friend, mentor, statesman, storyteller, fighter, advocate, and patriot. Above all else, he was a dedicated family man, and our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones,” the Chamber said.

“As a business leader, Tom was a towering figure, and across his decades-long career, his Irish toughness, combined with his genuine compassion, made him a unique and impactful voice in Washington and around the world,” the Chamber said.

“It is no exaggeration to say he resurrected the Chamber, taking the institution from good to great and from productive to powerful … He (built) the Chamber into the largest and most effective business organization in the world,” the group said.

National Association of Manufacturers CEO Jay Timmons said in a statement that Donohue was a mentor to many association executives, including Timmons.

“Tom Donohue did more than change this world for the better,” said Timmons. “He showed others how to do the same—how they too could make a difference with their lives and leadership.”

Timmons also credited Donohue for being a mentor to him.  “As he did for other association executives finding their footing, he invited me to lunch when I began my role. We sat down, and he laid out a game plan. He did that for so many because he believed that the business community is strongest when we all are at our best.”

Boss, friend, teacher

David Chavern, CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers, worked at the Chamber under Donohue for 10 years, including as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

“Tom was my boss, my friend and — probably most powerfully — my teacher,” Chavern said in a LinkedIn post. “A kind and generous spirit who fought hard fights — but who also didn’t have much room in his life for personal animus toward anyone.”

Liz Clark, CEO of the Health & Fitness Association, worked under Donohue for five years.

“Tom was a legend in the nation’s capital, the business world, and as an association leader — and he is also a legend in my own life for what he taught me as a mid-career executive working for him,” she said.