Susan K. Neely, president and CEO of the American Beverage Association (ABA), has been named chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Association Committee of 100.
“The U.S. Chamber is the pre-eminent advocate for free enterprise in this country,” Neely said. “I am honored to work with my colleagues from other national trade associations to share ideas and advance policies that will help America prosper.”
“We are thrilled that Susan Neely will chair the Chamber’s Association Committee of 100,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “Susan has excelled in everything she’s done—as a public servant, a community leader and philanthropist, and association executive. We look forward to Susan’s contribution to the success of this group and its efforts on behalf of the business community.”
The U.S. Chamber Association Committee of 100 has been in existence for more than 50 years, with members representing associations from across the country working on behalf of a wide array of industries. The Committee of 100 actively engages to represent association members before the U.S. Chamber’s board of directors, enhance Chamber lobbying and coalition work, recommend programming and strengthen outreach to the business and association community.
Neely has served as ABA president and CEO since 2005. During her tenure, she has worked with ABA membership to further industry’s longstanding commitment to being part of the solution to childhood obesity. With innovative industry initiatives, ABA members have shown their commitment to this national public health challenge is significant and will have a lasting and measurable impact. Notably, the industry has voluntarily reduced calories from its beverages sold in schools by 88 percent through its national School Beverage Guidelines. In support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign, the industry announced its Clear on Calories initiative, voluntarily placing clear calorie labels on the front of every bottle, can and pack they produce.
Neely’s professional background encompasses government service in both the executive and legislative branches of federal government, as well as state government, and significant health care policy and advocacy experience. A native of Iowa, Neely holds an undergraduate degree in journalism and French civilization from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in public administration from Drake University. She has been elected the first woman president of both the 100-year-old Washington Rotary Club and the 108-year-old University Club of Washington, D.C. She currently serves as a director on the boards of the Global Child Nutrition Foundation, the American Society of Association Executives, the National Presbyterian School and the International Women’s Forum. She received the 2011 Global Citizen of the Year Award from the Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University. She is the mother of two children, Eve (age 15) and Ben (age 12).
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The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States. For more information on ABA, please visit the association’s Web site at www.ameribev.org <http://www.ameribev.org/> or call the ABA communications team at (202) 463-6770.
