Donald K. Ross

Donald Ross (left), with George McMahon, SJ, then dean of Fordham College, and David Langdon (right). Donald Kemp Ross (June 29, 1943May 14, 2022) was an American public interest lawyer. Ross proposed the model of Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGS) with Ralph Nader. Ross became the first director of the NYPIRG (The New York Public Interest Research Group, Inc.). He helped to found the Albany law firm of Malkin & Ross, and its associated advocacy organization M+R Strategic Services. He has been a member of the board of directors for environmental organizations.

Early life and education Ross was the son of Helen (Kemp), a homemaker, and Hugh Ross, an administrator for the Conservation Foundation. Ross graduated with a BA in English from Fordham University, where he was student body president, in 1965.

He the attended NYU and graduated New York University School of Law in 1970. He was the first director of the New York Public Interest Research Group, Inc. (NYPIRG). While at NYPIRG, Ross helped it grow to become the largest state-based research and advocacy organization in the nation. Ross was NYPIRG's principal strategist, lobbyist and fundraiser. Malkin and Ross later formed M+R Strategic Services, which is based in Washington, D.C.

Ross worked as a consultant for the Long Island Veatch Program, the Center for Research on Institutions and Social Policy, and The New York Community Trust.

Personal life Ross was married to writer Helen Klein Ross. Ross died from lymphoma in Salisbury, Connecticut, on May 14, 2022. He was 78. 1974 A Public Citizen's Action Manual 1977 Troubled Waters: Toxic Chemicals in the Hudson River ''