January 1st, 2020

March Gallagher was sworn in as the first woman elected as Ulster County Comptroller

March being sworn in by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli

March being sworn in by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli

In that role, March has provided crucial fiscal checks and balances to the county government, prioritizing transparency in county finances and shedding light on key issues – from housing to broadband to racial equity. And under March’s leadership the Comptroller’s Office has released audits resulting in significant earnings from investments, the collection of taxes from Airbnb, and putting in place processes to continue to increase taxpayer savings.

As Ulster County Comptroller, March has been a tireless advocate for the people of Ulster County, standing up against short-changing the taxpayers, and unafraid to question entrenched beliefs to forge a better, more equitable path forward. She has ensured that taxpayers and residents have the full picture of county finances and spending, giving them a voice in how their tax dollars are spent. She also has partnered with town governments to access the support they need to take care of the people in their communities.

Throughout her career, March has gathered, analyzed and shared information in order to help our community make sound decisions, and lead folks forward with confidence. Transparency, honesty and integrity have always been at the center of her work, along with her belief in inclusiveness so that everyone in Ulster County can understand the impact of financial decisions on their community and participate in the decisions being made on their behalf. She will bring these same values to the County Executive’s office.

In addition to serving as County Comptroller, March has spent her life trying to make the world a better place, and has been a leader on some of the most challenging issues we face. She grew up in Woodstock and currently lives in Rosendale where she is raising her blended family and caring for aging parents. She has served on numerous local and regional boards and councils, while advocating on important issues, including the creation of the office she now holds – Ulster County Comptroller. Throughout her career and her time in county government working in the County Executive’s Office, she’s been outspoken on issues of affordable housing, racial equity, women’s rights, the care economy, ensuring adequate mental health services, addressing the climate crisis, and making sure taxpayer money is used to do the most good for the most people.

March at the Shawangunk Democratic BBQ

March in Washington October 2020

Background

March attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where she worked to divest her college from South Africa to end Apartheid. After graduating college March worked as the committee clerk for then-Assemblyman Maurice Hinchey. After several years, she moved on in the Assembly to work as a budget analyst for the Ways and Means Committee. March realized that she needed more skills to really help people and the planet. She went on to earn master’s degrees from Bard College and SUNY Albany, as well as a law degree from Boston University’s School of Law. Upon graduation, she practiced environmental law.

In 2001, she returned to the Hudson Valley, and in 2006, became the first-ever chairwoman of the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), eventually heading up Ulster County’s Office of Economic Development. In both roles, she worked tirelessly to keep businesses afloat in our community during a national economic crisis while holding businesses accountable on tax break deals.

In 2013, she joined Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress as its Chief Strategy Officer, where she conducted research on regional infrastructure and healthcare, particularly on the care needs of seniors. A big part of the job was taking high-level findings and communicating them to different communities and stakeholder groups in order to make  good policy decisions.

March Gallagher with Maurice Hinchey

In 2015, March became the President & CEO of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, managing over $80 million in assets across 500 different funds, and awarding millions of dollars annually in grants to nonprofit and students throughout the Hudson Valley. March served on Congressman Antonio Delgado’s Small Business Advisory Board and serves on the board of the Farm and Food Growth Fund, a new Hudson Valley financial resource for agriculture and food businesses. March is a member of the Bloomington Fire Department Auxiliary. In 2013 March was recognized as a Hudson Valley Women in Business Awardee.

March has also served on the boards of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, Hudson Valley Regional Council, Ulster County Development Corporation, Ulster County Workforce Investment Board, Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation, Dutchess County Community Development Advisory Board, Dutchess County Economic Development Advisory Council, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Middletown, Foxhall Ambulatory Surgery Center, and Esopus Creek Conservancy.

March Gallagher at the Community Foundations Garden Party

March Gallagher moderating a panel of County Executives

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