Former congressman led group for 10 years, among highest-paid association CEOs

Dooley

Cal Dooley will retire as CEO of the $122 million-revenue American Chemistry Council when his current contract expires at the end of the year, the chemical and plastics manufacturing industry trade group announced Thursday.

Dooley is a former Democratic congressman from California who was appointed CEO of ACC in 2008. He previously was CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, having been CEO of the Food Products Association when that group merged with GMA in 2007.

In a statement, Dooley touted the recent growth in the U.S. chemical industry, which he attributed to the boom in natural gas development and "sound policy approaches."

"I am extremely proud of what ACC has accomplished over the past ten years, especially the passage of bipartisan chemical regulatory reform legislation," Dooley said.

ACC credited Dooley with implementing an integrated policy strategy that comprised of federal and state advocacy, communications, coalition building, political engagement and new association programs addressing challenges facing the chemical sector.

Among the group's policy successes was passage of the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act in 2016, which updated the nation's toxic substance laws and had the support of both the chemical industry and environmental groups.

Dooley currently is one of the highest-paid association CEOs, earning more than $4 million in compensation in 2016, according to tax records. Recruitment firm Korn Ferry will assist in the search for Dooley's successor.