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ARLINGTON, Va. — Thomas O’Donnell has been promoted to senior vice president of government affairs and public policy at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.
NACDS said that O’Donnell, previously vice president of federal government affairs, will now report to NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson.
Since joining NACDS as vice president of federal government affairs in July 2012, O’Donnell has provided leadership for federal government affairs programs, including direct advocacy on Capitol Hill, the NACDS RxImpact grassroots program and the NACDS Political Action Committee. In his new capacity, he will add leadership duties for executive branch advocacy, public policy analysis and state government affairs, NACDS said.
“Tom has succeeded in applying his exceptional knowledge of government and politics to the member-centric and patient-centric approach that defines NACDS. He has proven himself to be a highly trusted and effective advocate on important issues that relate directly to NACDS members’ success in serving as the face of neighborhood health care across the nation,” Anderson said in a statement. “We look forward to his leadership of the exceedingly talented NACDS government affairs and public policy team, to his collaboration as a member of NACDS’ senior staff, and to his continuing and keen focus on serving the NACDS membership.”
O’Donnell takes the reins from Carol Kelly, who has served as senior vice president of government affairs and public policy since joining NACDS in January 2008.
NACDS noted that O’Donnell has nearly three decades of experience as a congressional staff member and a government affairs professional. Before coming to the association, he served as chief of staff to three members of the House of Representatives, most recently for Rep. Steve Rothman (D., N.J.) and previously for Reps. Phil Hare (D., Ill.) and Rush Holt (D., N.J.).
He also served as a professional staff member for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, spanning three Congresses from 1997 through 2002. His Capitol Hill background also includes legislative positions with Reps. Lane Evans (D., Ill.) and Patricia Schroeder (D., Colo.).
As an advocate, O’Donnell’s experience also includes a nearly five-year tenure as director of congressional affairs for Continental Consulting Group Corp., where he focused on veterans affairs, national security and homeland security issues.
