Donna Harman, retiring CEO of the American Forest & Paper Association, will receive the Bryce Harlow Foundation's Business-Government Relations award at the group's annual fundraising dinner on May 1 at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C.

"Ms. Harman has a long history of supporting businesses through government advocacy and serving with integrity," Foundation Chair Rich Gold said in a statement.

Harman announced in January that she would retire later this year. Her 12-year tenure as AF&PA CEO is the longest in the group's 25-year history.

Among her accomplishments was guiding the association through the separation of the paper and timber industries as companies split their manufacturing and growing divisions, encouraged by changes in tax law.

Ultimately, the timber companies left AF&PA to join the National Alliance of Forest Owners, which Harman told CEO Update allowed both sectors to have strong advocacy arms and greater consensus around their particular interests. The two associations work closely together, she said.

Harman is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Association Committee of 100.

Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) will receive the foundation's top honor for an elected official, the Bryce Harlow Award. The Bryce Harlow Foundation was established in 1981 to promote integrity in the lobbying profession and to increase public understanding of the role of lobbyists in creating public policy.

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