Donovan is one of Max's old friends. He is a successful hotel tycoon with 15 resorts worldwide. His 16th hotel was an underwater resort in the center of the Bermuda Triangle, but it was destroyed before opening to foil the plans of aliens taking residence in the area. He also made an offer with Max that would have resulted in both of them being rich. He doesn't know of Max's plumber days. At the end of the episode, Donovan mentioned that he planned to build a new 16th resort on the moon. Unlike Max, Donovan tries to mold his grandson, Eddie, in his own image. The ending of "They Lurk Below" suggests that this relationship might change, though.