Hon. James Douglas

Guest Speaker

Professional Affiliation

Executive-in-Residence, Middlebury College, and Former Governor of the State of Vermont

Expert Bio

Governor Douglas served Vermont for more than 35 years, beginning in the Vermont House of Representatives, including a term as Majority Leader.



He was elected Secretary of State in 1980, a post he held for 12 years.  He was elected State Treasurer in 1994, where he served for eight years.   

Douglas was elected Governor in 2002 and re-elected three times. He focused on strengthening the state’s economy, reducing the cost of living and protecting the state’s natural environment.  He advanced groundbreaking health reforms that have made Vermont a model among the states.

Douglas served as chairman of the National Governors Association. In 2010 President Obama appointed him co-chair of the Council of Governors.

Governor Douglas is now an Executive in Residence at Middlebury College, his alma mater.  He serves on the boards of several companies and on the Governors Advisory Council of the Bipartisan Policy Center.