Twelve-year chief executive is longest-tenured in group's history.

Harman

Donna Harman, CEO of the $29 million-revenue American Forest & Paper Association, announced Jan. 16 that she would retire later this year after a transition period. Executive recruiting firm Spencer Stuart will assist in the search for her replacement.

Harman's 12-year tenure as CEO is the longest in the group's 25-year history.

"I just felt like this was a perfect time," Harman told CEO Update. "I've accomplished everything I set out to and a whole lot more. I never had any idea that I would be able to have that effect or influence on public policy as an advocate for the manufacturing industry."

Pete Watson, CEO of industrial packaging manufacturer Greif and incoming AF&PA chair, said in a statement that Harman is leaving behind a "solid foundation."

"Her consensus-building skills helped the industry to speak with one voice and find new allies and coalition partners on many issues," Watson said in the statement.

Harman began her career in the 1980s as a legislative aide for former Rep. Henson Moore (R-La.), who eventually became the first CEO of AF&PA. She later went to law school and worked in government affairs for Champion International and Dow Chemical.

Moore hired Harman as vice president of congressional affairs at AF&PA in 2001, and she succeeded him as CEO in 2007.

One of her early challenges—and accomplishments—was to guide the group through the splintering 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 said allowed both sectors to have strong advocacy arms and greater consensus around their particular interests. The two associations work closely together, she said.

Jay Timmons, CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, said manufacturers are losing "one of our most effective advocates" in Harman. Harman chaired the NAM Council of Manufacturing Associations in 2013.

"Respected by government and business leaders alike, Donna has proven herself to be a consensus-builder," Timmons said.