Governor Jim Douglas

Governor Jim Douglas Former Governor of Vermont BARR Center Conference headshot
Former Governor of Vermont

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 teaches political science at Middlebury College, his alma mater. He has served on the boards of several companies, the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation and the Hunt Institute.

Governor Jim Douglas will join us from the stage at our upcoming National Conference taking place in Rancho Mirage, CA on April 22 – 23, 2026.