Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Dottie Gallagher's decision to retire as Buffalo Niagara Partnership president and CEO wasn't made yesterday, or even last week, for that matter.
When Gallagher signed her most recent five-year contract with the Partnership's board of directors, she told them this was going to be her final pact. That was in the summer of 2021.
Gallagher assumed the Partnership's presidency and CEO post in 2013, taking over for Andrew Rudnick. She was hand picked after leading Visit Buffalo Niagara.
While Gallagher is reluctant to talk about issues that she helped craft or advance, the list runs long and deep. Among them:
- There was the creation of low-interest loan fund to help developers pencil out downtown, residential-anchored projects.
- Gallagher played a key role in the upstate region being awarded $40 million in federal funds to create a tech hub.
- Pushing state leaders to amend a drive for the use of more electric and less gas power in homes and commercial properties.
- Securing state and federal dollars to help with the continued development of the sport fishing industry in and around Olcott Bay in Northern Niagara County.
"For my entire professional career, I've always tried to the region a better place," Gallagher said.
Gallagher's pending Partnership retirement, which isn't until June 2026, comes against the backdrop of several leadership changes within the region including a new Buffalo mayor and Amherst supervisor come Jan. 1; a new University at Buffalo president when Statish Tripathi retires next summer and new leaders at Buffalo Place Inc.
"We are seeing that across so many industries," Gallagher said. "Baby boomers are retiring and new people are taking over."
In the case of the Partnership, Grant Loomis, the organization's chief operating officer, has been named as its new president and CEO when Gallagher leaves next June.