Alumni Spotlight
Daniel Marsh III ’74
Major: History
Hometown: Newburgh, New York
Current Job: President and CEO of Grow America
What I Do Now: I oversee a not-for-profit that provides advisory services, lending, education, community development and equity investing to support municipalities and not-for-profit organizations.
How the Hartwick Experience Impacted My Professional Life: I saw my family home and so many other homes in Newburgh razed by urban renewal and seized by eminent domain to build Interstate 84. When I came to Hartwick, I told all this to my advisor, Robert Weckman, who helped me develop an independent study project in the emerging field of urban revitalization. It made me excited for a career in working on rebuilding as opposed to tearing down. Read more in The Wick.
Challenges in the Field: There are plenty – inconsistent policies from Washington D.C., different zoning, permitting and planning regulations, as well as the lack of available capital to do the projects we want to do to revitalize these underserved communities.
My Favorite Aspect of My Career: I love working in communities to help them realize their dreams. It’s such a joy to work with companies and individuals who have traditionally been locked out of mainstream financial markets.
My Advice for Current Students: If you don’t know what you want to do, go out and try several different avenues to build a career. Follow your dreams and passions. Everything you want to achieve is achievable if you keep moving forward and don’t let opposition or setbacks deter you.
