The Fort Ticonderoga Association, the non-profit educational organization which owns and operates the National Historic Landmark Fort Ticonderoga, is pleased to announce that Roy Davis has been elected as the incoming chair of its Board of Trustees. His service as chair will commence on January 1, 2025. He succeeds Sanford Morhouse, who has served as board chair since 2011 and who will serve as Trustee Emeritus beginning in 2025.
Accomplishments during Mr. Morhouse’s tenure include Fort Ticonderoga’s expansion as a national cultural destination, major preservation initiatives including the restoration of the 1826 Pavilion and fort wall restoration, and the acquisition of the Robert Nittolo Collection, considered the single most important private collection of 18-century militaria. Under Mr. Morhouse’s guidance, Fort Ticonderoga significantly expanded its capacity as a leading educational institution on-site and across the nation through new digital programs.
Roy Davis, a former senior executive with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has served as a trustee since 2023. Mr. Davis chaired Fort Ticonderoga’s Strategic Planning committee in 2024, which shaped the institution’s vision and plans through 2030. During his tenure, Davis will lead Fort Ticonderoga’s continued growth as a national leader in Early American History and significantly expand Fort Ticonderoga’s digital educational reach, while investing in Fort Ticonderoga’s preservation efforts and enhanced on-site experiences. His tenure will coincide with America’s national 250th commemoration. Major initiatives at Fort Ticonderoga during this period include new exhibitions, signature events, scholarship, research, and academic programs, as well as expanded museum and collection storage facilities.
“Roy Davis’s dedication to Fort Ticonderoga’s history and future, coupled with his tremendous capacity as a visionary leader and illustrious career, positions Fort Ticonderoga for substantial growth and capacity building over the next several years,” said Beth L. Hill Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. “His election to lead our Board of Trustees means that our institution will be well positioned as we launch major new initiatives. It has been a tremendous privilege to work alongside Mr. Morhouse for the past 14 years as we transformed our visitor experience, expanded educational reach across the nation and globe, and invested substantially in our museum’s collections and other vital preservation projects.”
“It is a tremendous honor to be elected to lead the board of one of America’s most significant historic sites, at a time of forward thinking and growth,” said Mr. Davis. “Fort Ticonderoga is the site of America’s first victory of the Revolution and one of the earliest preservation and restoration efforts. Today we are positioned to be a national leader in historical education, dramatically impacting our nation’s youth and educators. We are the future of our nation’s founding history.”
“I am especially grateful to Sandy for his great dedication, commitment, and inspiring leadership as chair for more than a decade,” said Mr. Davis. “Sandy has been an exceptional board chair, guiding our institution during on of the most challenging and exciting times in our institution’s 115-year history. I look forward to partnering with Beth and have enormous respect for her vision and exceptional leadership. We have worked closely on several projects in the past few years, and we make a great team.”
Mr. Davis was a senior executive with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) until his retirement in January of 2012. His last position was Corporate Vice President of Business Development for all of J&J worldwide. In this role, Mr. Davis was responsible for helping J&J to determine its new business creation and acquisition strategy as a global corporation. Following his 28 year career with J&J, Mr. Davis has served as a member of the Innovations Advisory Board for the Cleveland Clinic, the Advisory Board for the Wake Forest Medical School’s Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Advisor to the strategy firm, Innosight Consulting(since 2012) , Advisor to Innosight’s parent company, Huron Consulting (since 2017) and guest lectured at Princeton University for 3 years in its Entrepreneurship program. Mr. Davis is also co-Chair, Rensselaer Greater NY Executive Council and a member of the Board of Trustees for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he served on both the Advancement and Investment committees. He also served as a Board Member, Committee Chair and Officer for the 135-year-old Lake George Association, an environmental organization dedicated to clean fresh water.
About Fort Ticonderoga:
Welcoming visitors since 1909, Fort Ticonderoga is a major cultural destination, museum, historic site, and center for learning. As a multi-day destination and the premier place to learn more about North America’s military heritage, Fort Ticonderoga engages more than 70,000 visitors each year with an economic impact of more than $16 million annually. Presenting vibrant programs, historic interpretation, boat cruises, tours, demonstrations, and exhibits, Fort Ticonderoga and is open for daily visitation May through October and special programs during Winter Quarters, November through April. Fort Ticonderoga is owned by The Fort Ticonderoga Association, a 501c3 non-profit educational organization, and is supported in part through generous donations and with some general operating support made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts. To view Fort Ticonderoga’s electronic press kit, click here. © The Fort Ticonderoga Association. 2024 All Rights Reserved.