The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has appointed Jim Brady to its board of directors. Brady currently serves as the chief operating officer at Grant Thornton LLP and has long been active in the U.S. Chamber.

“Brady brings with him a 35-year career providing professional services to Fortune 1000 companies,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “His know-how in auditing large and medium-sized public and private companies will prove tremendously valuable to the U.S. Chamber as we pursue a growth agenda for American businesses.”

“Our business community faces shifting complexities and changing dynamics,” said Brady. “As a board member for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, I look forward to helping companies of all sizes create jobs and enhance our economy.”

As Grant Thornton’s chief operating officer, Brady oversees all business operations both nationally and for the firm’s Central and East regions. He plays a key role in the development and execution of the firm’s strategic initiatives and champions the integration of its capabilities and operations to create value for clients.

In addition, Brady plays an active role on the firm’s Public Policy team – steered by its national managing principal of Public Policy. In this capacity, he advocates among lawmakers for tax fairness, especially as it affects businesses organized as “pass-throughs” and medium-sized businesses. He also advocates for solutions to problems of government fraud, waste and abuse.

Brady joined Grant Thornton in June 2015 as the firm’s Central region managing partner and a member of its Senior Leadership Team.

Brady was previously Deloitte LLP’s national managing partner for U.S. Government Affairs & Public Policy and also served as CEO of the firm’s U.S.-India audit and advisory joint venture. Brady also spent several years as regional managing partner building audit and advisory practices in Deloitte’s Southeast geography.

He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Brady is also on the boards of trustees at the Chautauqua Institution and the Graduate Management Admission Council. He serves on the Center for Strategic and International Studies Advisory Board, The Carter Center Board of Councilors and the board of directors for World Business Chicago. He is a member of the Wake Forest University School of Business Board of Visitors and the Committee for Economic Development.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.