Tom Donohue

Contributor

Thomas J. Donohue is president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Since assuming his position in 1997, Donohue has built the Chamber into a $200 million a year lobbying and political powerhouse with expanded influence across the globe.<br /> <br /> Donohue has committed to advancing the U.S. Chamber's comprehensive competitiveness agenda, which is designed to strengthen the U.S. economy so that all hardworking Americans can prosper and enjoy the benefits of the American Dream. He has launched a number of multimillion-dollar initiatives around several items on that agenda, including forging a national energy strategy, strengthening capital markets, and protecting intellectual property.<br /> <br /> Donohue established the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, which has won significant legal reforms in the courts, at the state and federal levels, and in elections for state attorneys general and Supreme Court judges.<br /> <br /> During Donohue's tenure, the Chamber's lobbyists, policy experts, and communicators have helped secure many legislative victories, including major tax cuts, more sensible workplace and environmental regulations, and increased funding for transportation. On the international front, the Chamber has become a leader in knocking down trade barriers, winning new free and fair trade agreements, and fighting isolationism at home and abroad.<br /> <br /> Under Donohue's leadership, the Chamber has also emerged as a major player in election politics, helping elect congressional pro-business candidates through financial support and voter activism and turnout generated through the Chamber's grassroots organization, VoteForBusiness.com.<br /> <br /> The National Chamber Litigation Center, the Chamber's law firm, has become more aggressive in challenging anti-business measures in court. In 2007, it entered a record 125 new cases of significance to the business community and helped secure 54 victories. The Litigation Center expects to beat that record in 2008.<br /> <br /> The National Chamber Foundation, the Chamber's public policy think tank, drives the policy debate on key issues and provides a forum where leaders advance cutting-edge issues facing the U.S. business community.<br /> <br /> Financially, the Chamber has never been stronger. Since 1997, when Donohue took over, revenues have more than tripled. Donohue has also raised millions of dollars for a special capital fund to help secure the Chamber's financial future.<br /> <br /> Previously, Donohue served for 13 years as president and chief executive officer of the American Trucking Associations, the national organization of the trucking industry.<br /> <br /> Donohue serves on two corporate boards of directors-Union Pacific Corporation and Sunrise Senior Living Corporation. He is a member of the President's Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations. In addition, Donohue is president of the Center for International Private Enterprise, a program of the National Endowment for Democracy dedicated to the development of market-oriented institutions around the world.<br /> <br /> Born in New York City in 1938, Donohue earned a bachelor's degree from St. John's University and a master's degree in business administration from Adelphi University. He holds honorary doctorate degrees from Adelphi, St. John's, and Marymount universities.<br /> <br /> Donohue and his wife, Liz, live in Potomac, Maryland. They have three sons and three grandchildren.