The association community—and K Street more broadly—has lost a “giant” and a “living legend.”

Dirk Van Dongen, CEO of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) for 41 years, influential figure in major tax law changes since 1986 and major fundraiser for presidents and lawmakers, died unexpectedly last weekend. He retired from NAW in 2020. Further details of his death were not immediately available. 

“I often told Dirk Van Dongen that he was a living legend,” Eric Hoplin, who succeeded Van Dongen as NAW CEO, said in a June 10 statement. “Throughout his four-decade tenure, he transformed NAW into a powerhouse in Washington. Dirk mentored generations of trade association leaders, including myself.”

“We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Maryann, and his daughters Rachel and Marisa,” Hoplin said. “His legacy of relentless advocacy, transformative leadership, and genuine friendship will be sorely missed.”

Jay Timmons, CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), said in a statement that Van Dongen’s influence was felt far beyond his management of one group. 

“He led the NAW to be a powerful convener of the business community, advocating for policies that made manufacturing in America more competitive in a global economy,” Timmons said. “But he was far more than the leader of a single association. He was revered as a respected dean of the association CEO community. I feel enormously grateful to have considered him a mentor and friend and to have received a few coveted invitations to join him at his table at his favorite D.C. bistro, Equinox.

“Dirk’s best life lesson that he imparted effortlessly was to be honest, direct, upfront and authentic. You never had to wonder where Dirk stood or what he believed was the right course of action,” Timmons said.

Politico called Van Dongen “a giant on K Street” who transformed “a little-known trade group.” The publication cited a statement from former House Speaker John Boehner. 

“No one had a better sense of how America’s businesses were impacted by regulation and taxation” than Van Dongen, Boehner said. “No one was more effective at petitioning the government to exercise common sense and restraint to ensure America’s economic engine kept on chugging.”

Writing about Van Dongen’s retirement in 2020, CEO Updated stated, “To call it the end of an era is an understatement. Van Dongen’s career at NAW has spanned several eras. … A lot has changed in the nation’s capital since rotary phones and snail-mail to members of Congress.”

In fact, Van Dongen joined NAW from AT&T, according to the NAW statement.

“Dirk’s journey with NAW began modestly in 1968 when he transitioned from AT&T’s marketing department to direct the association’s membership drive through phone solicitations,” the association said. “This innovative strategy boosted NAW’s membership and set the stage for his remarkable career.”