The American Chemistry Council has tapped a former Democratic Member, Cal Dooley (Calif.), to lead its association. Dooley, 54, is currently the president and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. He will take over the helm of the ACC on Sept. 8.

Dooley replaces Jack Gerard, a longtime association executive, who in three years at ACC made sweeping staff changes, stepped up the group’s Hill lobbying efforts, and launched a high-profile advertising and advocacy campaign. Gerard announced in early June that he was leaving ACC to run the American Petroleum Institute.

“We are very excited about Cal coming to ACC,” said Bob Wood, chairman of the ACC board of directors and the CEO of member company Chemtura, in a statement. “Cal’s knowledge of industry, his excellent bi-partisan reputation on Capitol Hill, his savvy business sense, and his political acumen make him a great choice to lead our association.”

While in Congress, Dooley, who served from 1991 to 2005, was known as a moderate, pro-business Member and founder of the New Democrat Coalition.