Insurance executive tapped to lead convention fundraising effort

Doug Leatherdale
The Minneapolis-St. Paul 2008 Host Committee has appointed Douglas Leatherdale to serve as host committee chairman for the Republican National Convention. Leatherdale is the retired chairman and CEO of the St. Paul Companies, currently known as the Travelers Companies.
MPR Photo/Marisa Helms

The group responsible for raising millions of dollars to host the Republican National Convention next year has named local businessman Douglas Leatherdale as its chairman.

Leatherdale is the retired chairman and CEO of the St. Paul Companies, where he served from 1990 until 2001. Leatherdale also serves as a director of several corporations, including Xcel Energy and United Health Group.

Leatherdale says it's an honor to serve as the chairman of the Host Committee. He says his job will be to direct host committee staff and raise money.

"The next several months is going to be very very busy," he said at a news conference. "As we put together what is truly going to be the most important event that's ever happened in the Twin Cities."

The host committee must raise an estimated $57 million in donations. Leatherdale won't say how much has been raised so far, but says the committee is meeting its fundraising deadlines.