U.S. Chamber Elects Maura W. Donahue Vice Chair

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce board of directors elected Maura W. Donahue, president of DonahueFavret Contractors Inc. Holding Company, as U.S. Chamber vice chair for 2004-2005, during its June meeting. DonahueFavret Contractors building projects include: commercial, hospitality, healthcare, retail, educational and institutional construction.

"Maura brings to the table a great deal of knowledge and experience and she will provide valuable leadership in the effort to provide all businesses the tools needed to succeed," said Chamber President and CEO Thomas Donohue.

During her term as vice chair, Donahue will focus on health care, legal reform and transportation infrastructure issues. Donahue will travel the country and address state and local chambers, associations, and other business leaders in an effort to highlight pro-growth policies and programs.

"Donahue has been a key player in promoting and developing our small business agenda and advancing pro-growth policies, as chair of the Chamber's Small Business Policy Committee," said Chamber Director of Small Business Policy Giovanni Coratolo.

Donahue has served on the U.S. Chamber's board since 1998 and currently serves on the Board of Greater New Orleans, Inc., St. Tammany Parish Economic Development Foundation, and the Board of Resource Bank. Donahue has served on the Board of Directors of the State of Louisiana Board of Commerce & Industry, Louisiana's Republican State Central Committee and the St.Tammany Parish Chamber of Commerce where she was Chairman of the Board. She also chaired a "Women Build" home last year for Habitat for Humanity.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses of every size, sector and region.

# # #

04-79