NACDS promotes long-standing retail pharmacy advocate to SVP government affairs and public policy

ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Thursday promoted Thomas O’Donnell to SVP government affairs and public policy, effective Sept. 7, 2016. O’Donnell has served as VP federal government affairs, since joining the NACDS staff team on July 9, 2012.



In his new capacity, O’Donnell will report to NACDS president and CEO Steven Anderson.



“Tom has succeeded in applying his exceptional knowledge of government and politics to the member-centric and patient-centric approach that defines NACDS,” Anderson said. “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 healthcare across the nation. 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.”



Up to this point, O’Donnell has provided leadership for NACDS’ 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 responsibility for Executive Branch advocacy, public policy analysis and state government affairs.



O’Donnell has built a nearly three-decade career as a Congressional staff member and as a government affairs professional. Prior to joining NACDS in 2012, he served as chief-of-staff to three members of the U.S. House of Representatives, most recently for U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman, D-N.J., and previously for U.S. 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 experience also includes legislative positions with U.S. Reps. Lane Evans, D-Ill., and Patricia Schroeder, D-Colo.



In addition to O’Donnell’s tenure with NACDS, his experience as an advocate includes a nearly five-year tenure as director of congressional affairs for Continental Consulting Group Corporation, where he focused on veterans’ affairs, national security and homeland security issues.



O’Donnell received his Bachelor of Arts degree from State University of New York at Plattsburgh.  He is an honorary member of the Society of the 173rd U.S. Army Airborne Brigade.  O’Donnell resides in northern Virginia with his wife, Elisabeth Pepke.



In making the announcement, NACDS thanked Carol Kelly for her leadership and years of service dedicated to the Association and to the industry, having served as SVP government affairs and public policy since January 2008.