Clarkson University’s highest community service honor, the Bertrand H. Snell Award, was bestowed upon Garry F. Douglas, long-time President and CEO of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, at a reception in his honor hosted by Clarkson President Tony Collins and University Trustees on October 15, 2021.
Under his leadership since 1992, the Chamber became the largest business and economic development organization in northern New York, and one of the five largest Chambers in the state. It is a recognized leader in Quebec-New York relations, infrastructure development, the attraction of foreign direct investment and advocacy for the region in Washington, Albany and elsewhere. Douglas served as vice chairman of the Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation for nine years. Prior to his return to the North Country in 1992, Douglas served for 14 years as executive assistant to U.S. Representative Gerald Solomon of New York.
“Garry Douglas is a transformative leader in regional economic development and business advocacy,” said Tony Collins, President of Clarkson University, who served with Douglas as co-chairs of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council for eight years. “His experience in Washington along with his eternal optimism for the North Country has greatly benefited many sectors of the economy across the region. Garry is a recognized leader in broadening and deepening the connections between Quebec and New York and for positioning Plattsburgh and the region as a unique beachhead and center of expertise for Quebec business growth in the U.S. As he always says, Upward and Onward!”
Douglas, co-founder and co-president of the Quebec-New York Corridor Coalition, is also the founder of the North American Center of Excellence for Transportation Equipment (NAmTrans), a multifaceted cluster organization serving more than 60 transportation equipment and aerospace companies in the bi-national region. Former Quebec Premier Jean Charest referred to Douglas as “Quebec’s best friend in the U.S.”
He has held leadership positions focused on attaining funding for numerous major projects. Most notably, Douglas was instrumental in helping to obtain $170 million for the Champlain/Lacolle Port of Excellence border crossing, $125 million for Norsk Titanium, Plattsburgh and $50 million for redevelopment of the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base.
He also secured major funding for the Strand Performing Arts Center, the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing, CV-TEC: Industrial /Mechanical Tech programs and the North Country Regional Economic Development Council. In addition, he played key roles in federal and state awards and appropriations for affordable housing projects, health care facilities, workforce training programs, hotel developments, downtown revitalization projects, energy distribution infrastructure, wind farms, industrial park infrastructure, the Trudeau Institute, rail infrastructure enhancements and historic preservation projects.
Douglas also sits on the executive board of the Can/Am Border Trade Alliance. He was the founding chair and a current board member of the North Country Workforce Development Board.
Douglas completed the Institute for Organization Management at the University of Delaware after earning his master’s degree in public administration at Russell Sage College in Albany. He received his bachelor’s degree from Siena College.
Douglas along with Kate Fish, retired executive director of the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA); Betty Little, former New York State Senator; Ellen Rocco, longtime station manager for North Country Public Radio (NCPR); and the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department, including former Director Dana McGuire and Interim Director Jolene Munger were honored at a ceremony during dinner with the Board of Trustees on October 15 in the Caporali Atrium in Snell Hall on Clarkson University’s Hill Campus. The Bertrand H. Snell award honors Congressman Snell’s service to the community, Clarkson and the nation. It was created by the University’s Board of Trustees in 1981 to assure the remembrance of Clarkson’s patron while recognizing a new generation of leaders who share his commitment to the University’s greater community. Recipients of the award are chosen for their professional, business or educational accomplishments, combined with demonstrated integrity and concern for the community. To learn more about past award recipients, click here: https://www.clarkson.edu/snellaward
