Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is strategically advancing its highly effective, results-driven government affairs and public policy team by announcing the selection of William Tighe as vice president of federal government affairs and Amber Manko as director of federal government affairs. Tighe reports to Tom O’Donnell, NACDS’ senior vice president of government affairs and public policy. He began his new position with NACDS on December 12. Manko started with NACDS on November 28 and will report to Tighe.

Tighe received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and a Master of Public Policy from George Mason School of Public Policy in Virginia.  He is a member of several professional associations, including Republicans Associated for Mutual Support (RAMS) and the House Chiefs of Staff Association.

“We are very pleased that Bill will soon join NACDS’ respected and successful advocacy team,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “Bill’s policy expertise, forged on Capitol Hill where he led top congressional offices as chief of staff, positions him well to serve as NACDS’ lead legislative advocate. We welcome Bill at a critical policy and legislative juncture, as NACDS prepares to work collaboratively with a new administration and a new Congress to advance pro-patient, pro-pharmacy legislative priorities.”

Manko most recently served as director of federal affairs at CAPG, a trade association focused on helping physician groups improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Manko worked with congressional leaders on key Medicare and healthcare issues.

Prior to starting with CAPG in 2016, Manko served as a director of federal affairs and political programs at America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), where she successfully advocated Congress on issues affecting the healthcare industry, including the Affordable Care Act, cybersecurity and Medicare programs. Previously, she served at AHIP in positions [ READ MORE ]

Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has promoted Thomas A. O’Donnell to senior vice president, government affairs and public policy, effective September 7, 2016. O’Donnell has served as vice president, federal government affairs, since joining the NACDS staff team on July 9, 2012. In his new capacity, O’Donnell will report to NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE.

Tom has succeeded in applying his exceptional knowledge of government and politics to the member-centric and patient-centric approach that defines NACDS.

“Tom has succeeded in applying his exceptional knowledge of government and politics to the member-centric and patient-centric approach that defines NACDS,” Anderson said. “He has proven himself to be a highly trusted and effective advocate on important issues that relate directly to NACDS members’ success in serving as the face of neighborhood healthcare across the nation. We look forward to his leadership of the exceedingly talented NACDS government affairs and public policy team, to his collaboration as a member of NACDS’ senior staff, and to his continuing and keen focus on serving the NACDS membership.”

Up to this point, O’Donnell has provided leadership for NACDS’ federal government affairs programs, including direct advocacy on Capitol Hill, the NACDS RxIMPACT grassroots program, and the NACDS Political Action Committee (NACDS-PAC). In his new capacity, he will add leadership responsibility for Executive Branch advocacy, public policy analysis, and state government affairs.

O’Donnell has built a nearly three-decade career as a Congressional staff member and as a government affairs professional. Prior to joining NACDS in 2012, he served as chief-of-staff to three members of the U.S. House of Representatives, most recently for U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ) and previously for U.S. Reps. Phil Hare (D-IL) and Rush Holt (D-NJ).

He also served as a professional staff member for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, spanning three Congresses from 1997 through 2002. His Capitol Hill experience also includes legislative positions with U.S. Reps. Lane Evans (D-IL) and Patricia Schroeder (D-CO).

In addition to O’Donnell’s tenure with NACDS, his experience as an advocate includes a nearly five-year tenure as director of congressional affairs for Continental Consulting Group Corporation, where he focused on veterans’ affairs, national security [ READ MORE ]