Andrew Durrin

Results-driven. Team-Oriented.Practical.

Current Employer & Job Title: City of Plattsburgh, Director of Community Development

Age: 41 | Hometown: West Chazy, NY

Education: Saranac High School; CV-TEC Pre-Engineering Program; SUNY Canton, Engineering

Andrew has already built a career around solving problems that most people only notice when they stop working, roads — sidewalks, accessibility upgrades, infrastructure systems, zoning decisions — the behind-the-scenes work that quietly shapes everyday life. But for Andrew, the appeal has never been about recognition. It has always been about impact.

In three words, how would others describe your personal brand and where do those traits show up most in your work?

Results-driven, team-oriented, and practical. I believe you’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with, so I rely heavily on input from my team and colleagues when making decisions. I also take a common-sense approach to problem solving, especially in engineering, focusing on solutions that work in the real world. That mindset helps me keep projects moving forward and see them through to completion.

What aspect of your organization’s culture do you protect or promote most fiercely and how have you influenced it?

I like to promote a culture of collaboration and informed decision-making. My role is often to provide clear, accurate information so leadership can make the best decisions for their constituents. I’ve worked to reinforce that it’s not always about giving an opinion, it’s about making sure the right information is available to everyone.

Where do you invest your time outside of work, and what motivates your commitment to those efforts?

Outside of my role with the City, I serve as a School Board Member for the Northern Adirondack Central School District and as a member of the Town of Altona Zoning Board. I’m also a husband and father of two, with a 15-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter. A lot of what motivates my work, both professionally and in the community, comes back to family. Being involved at the school and local level gives me the opportunity to help shape the environment my kids and others in the region are growing up in. Whether it’s education, recreation, or community development, I want to help create a place where families can thrive.

Who has most influenced your leadership style and what specific lesson from them still shapes how you lead today?

Early in my career, I had teachers and mentors who recognized my potential and pushed me toward engineering. That encouragement helped shape my path, but the lasting lesson is the importance of investing in people early and helping them see what they’re capable of.

Where are you making your greatest impact right now in your organization, industry, or community and how do you measure it?

Right now, my greatest impact is delivering complex municipal projects that improve safety, accessibility, and quality of life. One project I’m especially proud of is the Margaret Street Rehabilitation Project—a $12 million effort that transformed downtown into a more pedestrian-friendly, ADA-accessible corridor while upgrading aging infrastructure. We were able to complete it with no impact to the City’s general fund or tax base. Throughout projects like this, I take a practical, common-sense approach to engineering and decision-making, balancing best practices with what will actually work for the community. I measure success by whether projects are completed effectively and whether residents can see and feel the improvements in their daily lives.

What’s something about you that would surprise people and what does it reveal about how you think or operate?

People might be surprised by how involved I am in every phase of a project—from securing funding and working through design details to overseeing construction. It reflects how I operate: I believe the best outcomes come from understanding the full process and staying engaged from start to finish. I also tend to challenge the idea that there’s only one “correct” way to approach a problem. In many cases, applying common sense and looking for practical alternatives leads to better, more efficient solutions.

What is one lesson your career has taught you that you had to learn the hard way and how has it changed you?

One of the hardest lessons is that you’re not going to make everyone happy, especially in municipal government. You have to evaluate each situation and make decisions that serve the greatest good. That’s helped me focus on making the best decision for the community as a whole, even when it’s not going to make everyone happy.

What is the biggest professional or personal risk you’ve taken—and would you make the same decision again? Why or why not?

The biggest professional risk I took was leaving a 15-year career in the private sector to pursue a role in municipal government. It was a significant change, both professionally and personally, stepping into a different environment with new challenges and responsibilities. I would absolutely make the same decision again. That move gave me the opportunity to apply my experience in a way that has a direct impact on the community, and it’s allowed me to be involved in projects from start to finish that truly make a difference.

The North Country’s “Gen IQ” reflects how well we lead, market to, and innovate across generations. Where are we getting it right—and where do we need to evolve?

We do a great job fostering strong community connections and collaboration. Where we need to evolve is in creating more opportunities that attract and retain younger generations, especially when it comes to recreation and quality of life. In the North Country, long winters limit options, and we need to invest more in indoor recreation, arts, and activities that engage all kids, not just those involved in sports.

What’s one idea, belief, or change you hope to see shape the future of leadership in our region?

I’d like to see a continued shift toward proactive, long-term thinking—leaders who are willing to invest in infrastructure, recreation, and community development now to ensure the region remains strong and competitive in the future.