PASADENA, Md. – The Chesapeake Automotive Business Association (CABA) has hired automotive aftermarket veteran Jim Donohue as its new executive director. Donohue will begin his responsibilities on Monday, Oct. 17. 
Skip Potter, CABA’s previous CEO who has served as an executive adviser to the group since his departure earlier this year, will remain with CABA "as long as necessary" to assist with Donohue’s transition.
Donohue has 38 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket, most notably as the national sales manager of the Auto Pride brand and earlier as a manufacturer’s representative in the CABA region. During his long career, he served as a member of the board of directors of the Chesapeake Automotive Wholesalers Association, a predecessor to CABA. He has continued to participate in many of the association’s programs since that time.
In making the announcement of Donohue’s appointment, CABA President Doug Meekins remarked, “We are fortunate to have a proven leader like Jim join our growing association. I look forward to reaping the benefits of his experience and industry contacts for CABA.”
“Having known all of the previous executive directors of CABA, CAWA and WMDA, it is a great honor to assume this position. With my experience in the region and knowledge of associations, I hope to enable CABA to move forward. I would like to encourage more interaction among members, resulting in greater strength of all the individual businesses,” said Donohue.
“Jim has been a valuable resource to me for many years,” said Potter. “Now I get to be a resource to Jim as he steps from the world of auto parts into the world of association management, as I did in 1988.”
The Chesapeake Automotive Business Association, founded in 1961, is a 501(c) 6 not-for-profit membership trade association for automotive aftermarket businesses of Maryland, D.C. and Delaware, dedicated to the development of locally owned auto repair and tire service centers, their jobbers and the aftermarket professionals that supply them.
