The Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) executive search committee and Board of Trustees are pleased to announce that Gerald J. "Jay" Donohue, Jr., CAE, CMP, area resident of Westmont, Ill. and formerly from Prairie Village, Kan., will become the AGD's new executive director, making history as the first new AGD executive director in more than 30 years.
Donohue will join the AGD's headquarters office on November 13, 2003 as Executive Director Designate and on January 1, 2004, he will assume management leadership for all activities for the AGD, a not-for-profit national organization serving more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education in order to better serve the public.
"Jay embodies the spirit of our association's culture and commitment to excellence in continuing education as well as an innovative mix of association and leadership experience," says John D. Chandler, DDS, MAGD, president of the AGD. "His background and his strategic foresight will help the AGD maintain its current momentum as the premier resource for the general dentist and we are honored Jay chose to be part of our AGD leadership team."
Donohue's appointment to AGD ended a six-month extensive search process which attracted more than 100 high-quality applicants from the field of association management.
"It is my hope and goal to be able to continue and support the initiatives which have contributed to the legacy Hal Donnell built at the AGD," says Donohue. "At the same time, I look forward to addressing the challenges that face our members and helping our leadership determine future directions for the AGD."
From an early age, Donohue's parents instilled in him the importance of being open to learning about new challenges and recognizing and appreciating differences, skills which he plans to use to help make a smooth transition to the position of AGD's new executive director.
"Also, throughout my professional career, I have been provided with opportunities and challenges that have enabled me to develop skills and strengths that will support the internal and external core values and culture of the AGD," says Donohue.
Armed with more than fifteen years of association management experience, as well as experience with two organizations devoted to the continuing professional education of its members, Donohue most recently served as senior vice president, operations, for the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) in Chicago, where his responsibilities included oversight of finance, technology, membership, chapter relations, human resources, organizational governance support and general office administration. He also served a six-month stint as the interim president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Donohue was with PCMA since March 1997 and prior to that, he served as the director of the membership division and manager of family convention activities for the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) in Kansas City, Mo.
During his time in Kansas City, Mo., Donohue also served as the managing director for the Midland Theatre, vice-president of Equity Real Estate Corporation and the executive director of the organizing committee for the 1988 NCAA Men's Final Four Basketball Tournament.
Donohue holds active membership in the American Society of Association Executives, Association Forum of Chicagoland and the Professional Convention Management Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Kansas. In 1999, he earned a designation as a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and in 1994, Donohue eared a designation as a Certified Association Executive (CAE).
Donohue and his wife, Susie, have two children, eleven-year-old JJ and nine-year-old Kristin, and reside in Westmont, Ill. Donohue and his family take an active interest in all outdoor activities, including water sports, such as boating, diving and snorkeling.
The AGD is a not-for-profit organization of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up-to-date in the profession through continuing education. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patient's oral health needs.
