Leadership is Doing What is Right When No One is Watching

Last week Tom Donohue, the former President and CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce received the Lifetime Service Award at the NVC’s Distinguished Service Awards.?Our CEO Kevin Schmiegel had the honor of presenting the award as a mentee of Tom’s since leaving the Marine Corps in 2009. when Mr. Donohue was his first civilian boss.?

Here are Kevin's 5 minute heartfelt remarks about Tom’s lifetime of service:

"As a retired Marine,? the CEO of a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business called ZeroMils and active member of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, It is my honor and privilege to announce this year’s recipient of

the Lifetime Service Award, former President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and my mentor, Mr. Thomas J. Donohue.??

And I’m honored to present this award in the absence of a fellow Veteran who played a big part in making this year’s DSAs a resounding success, retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Schmiegel.? So for the next few minutes I would like to read a message from Kevin, who also happens to be one of Tom’s protégés.

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“Tom Donohue has done a lot of big things in his life. His achievements have been recognized by heads of state, the world’s largest business alliance, Global CEOs, military Service Chiefs, multiple White House’s and public officials across the aisle, across the nation, and across the world.???

In the spirit of the Distinguished Service Awards and what they represent, it should be noted that Tom received the Outstanding Civilian Service Award from the Chief of Staff of the Army in 2014 for his dedication to our nation’s Veterans and military families.?

Yet, in my opinion, Tom’s greatest accomplishment is one that is unheard, unseen, and untold.?

And it is one that will have a rippling effect for years to come.

His greatest contribution to our country is the immeasurable impact he has made on hundreds of individual leaders, like me.?

It is Tom Donohue’s legacy of service.?

The lifetime achievement award that he receives today is different, because it is a recognition of the countless contributions of every leader he touched — every corporate executive, every government official, and every nonprofit leader, who he mentored, coached, and supported — with ferocity and dedication.?

I once heard a Marine General say:??

“Leadership is doing what is right when no one is watching.”

Ladies and gentlemen, that describes Tom Donohue in a nutshell.?

As his chief of staff for two years at the US Chamber of Commerce? I saw that leadership trait, day in and day out — when Tom would go above and beyond to support an employee or a friend who had a medical issue, needed advice, or was struggling.?

I know this firsthand, because I was one of those individuals. Tom not only championed me during some of my greatest highs, he helped see me through some of my deepest lows.?

Tom believed in me — and he afforded me one of the most extraordinary opportunities in my life, both personally and professionally.?

He empowered me to start and lead Hiring Our Heroes at the Chamber’s? Foundation. And for nearly three years Tom supported that effort, as it grew into the largest employment nonprofit in the country for Veterans and military spouses. To date more than 1 million Veterans and military spouses found meaningful employment through the program.

But like so many others from our community who have struggled with mental health and well-being I went from thriving to barely surviving — and for a few years suffered from severe depression.?

Tom never faltered — offering me a job at the Chamber until I found my way back to purpose and service, leading two other national military nonprofits that went on to impact 3 million service members, Veterans and their families from 2016 through 2021.?

And Tom was the first person there for me when I started a service disabled Veteran owned small business called ZeroMils with my best friend Paul Cucinotta — with a mission to create Military Thriving cultures and communities. Since March of 2022, our social impact consulting firm has helped millions more Veterans and their families go from barely surviving to thriving.?

And make no mistake about it, that rippling effect is all because of Tom Donohue — a visionary, a patriot, and a compassionate, empathetic leader — whose lifetime achievements are measured by the lives he’s changed — one leader at a time.?

I wish I was there in person to see you receive this lifetime achievement award, Tom —- so I could look you in the eyes and thank you for everything you have done for me — and hundreds of others like me who have benefited from your mentorship, support and leadership.?

“Doing the right thing when no one else is watching.” That’s Tom Donohue.?

His lifetime of leadership will be realized in? rippling effects for years to come with tens of millions more from our military and Veteran connected community being touched — one leader, one life at a time — just like mine.?

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating and honoring this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Mr, Thomas J Donohue Sr.”?