Minnesota Chamber names Doug Stang President and CEO

Seasoned public affairs and business leader to succeed Doug Loon on December 1

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors today named Doug Stang as the organization's next President and CEO. Stang brings more than two decades of experience leading government affairs for major employers and serving in Minnesota’s House of Representatives. He succeeds Doug Loon, who announced his retirement earlier this year after leading the Chamber since 2015. Stang will begin in the role December 1.

“Doug brings a rare combination of corporate and legislative experience along with a long history with this organization,” said Loon. “Minnesota is entering a pivotal moment, with newly elected leaders taking office and consequential decisions ahead for the state’s economy. Doug is well positioned to build on the Chamber’s record of accomplishment and to further strengthen the Chamber’s leadership role as the statewide advocate for business.”

The Chamber’s Board of Directors selected Stang from a broad pool of qualified candidates to continue the organization’s strong track record in representing private-sector employers and Minnesota’s economy.

“The Minnesota Chamber has been the voice of Minnesota business for more than a century, and I am honored to lead it into its next era of influence,” said Stang. “My career has been at the intersection of business, government and public policy, and I have seen how much Minnesota’s economic future depends on a strong voice for employers. I will build on the Chamber’s considerable strengths to improve Minnesota’s business climate and advance the long-term economic prosperity of our state.”

Under Loon's leadership, the Chamber expanded its impact for 6,300 member companies, delivered strong advocacy results at the Capitol and grew the Minnesota Chamber Foundation into a trusted source of economic data and workforce programs. Through its Economic Imperative initiative, the Chamber has taken a leading role in defining the state’s economic challenges, drawing public attention to the state’s economic underperformance and building support for a pro-growth agenda among leaders across business and government. Loon built on the legacy of previous Chamber President David C. Olson to ensure organizational leadership and partnerships across the state’s business community, including the local chambers and trade associations.

“The search committee reviewed a broad and impressive field of candidates, and Doug emerged as the leader best prepared to guide the Chamber forward,” said Brooke Lee, CEO of Anchor, Past Chair of the Minnesota Chamber Board of Directors and Co-chair of the Executive Search Committee. “Doug’s deep experience with the business community, paired with his record of results, gives the Board great confidence in his ability to lead the organization.”

“Minnesota employers need an advocate who understands both the balance sheet and the legislative process,” said Ross Widmoyer, President and CEO of Faribault Mill, Chair of the Minnesota Chamber Board of Directors and Co-chair of the Executive Search Committee. “Doug’s combination of business acumen and policy experience positions the Chamber to advocate effectively for Minnesota's economic future.”

About Doug Stang

Stang most recently served as Head of Federal and State Government Affairs at LegalZoom, where he built the company’s enterprise government affairs function across federal and all 50 state jurisdictions.

From 2007 to 2022, Stang served as Director of State Government Affairs at 3M, where he directed multistate policy strategy for the Fortune 100 company and led its national advocacy team. He previously advised Fortune 500 companies on technology and health care policy at Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P.

Stang served four terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives, including as Assistant Majority Leader. He later served as Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health. He is a former member of the Minnesota Chamber Board of Directors and has served on several other boards, including the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Private College Council. Stang holds a B.A. in government from St. John’s University and lives in Maple Grove.