Gary Schmidt of Monticello Receives Clarkson University's Top Alumni Honor

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Left to right: Clarkson University President Tony Collins, Schmidt, and Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations Steve Newkofsky.

POTSDAM, NY (07/26/2010)(readMedia)-- Gary C. Schmidt of Monticello, N.Y., chairman of Schmidt's Wholesale Inc., has received the Golden Knight Award from his alma mater, Clarkson University.

Presented each year during Reunion Weekend, Clarkson's most prestigious alumni award is given to alumni who have distinguished themselves either by service to Clarkson through Alumni Association activities or have demonstrated outstanding career achievement, bringing distinction to themselves and to Clarkson.

Schmidt received his bachelor of science degree in industrial distribution from Clarkson in 1970.

Schmidt is the chairman of Schmidt's Wholesale Inc., a plumbing, heating, electrical, waterworks and HVAC supply house in Monticello, N.Y., with branch locations in Newburgh, N.Y., and Florida.

Schmidt has been active in the business community and wholesale industry for many years serving on the board and as president of New York State Plumbing and Heating Wholesalers, the board of American Supply Association and on the board and as president of Wit & Company, a national buying co-operative in the plumbing and heating industry.

In 1990, Schmidt, along with a group of local business people, started Community Bank of Sullivan County, today the Catskill Hudson Bank, which opened in 1993. He served as director and corporate secretary of both entities. In 2006, he was elected to serve on the board of directors of the Mid-Hudson Cooperative Insurance Company.

Schmidt is the vice president of the Sullivan County Community College Foundation and on the board of the Sullivan County Community College Dormitory Corporation. He is a founding member and serves on the board of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development. In 2002, he was honored with their highest award, the Walter A. Rhulen Award for Service to Business, Community and Humanity. He also served 17 years on the Monticello Village Planning Board.

Schmidt has dedicated much time to the Boy Scouts of America. He is an Eagle Scout, God and Country Award holder and a Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow. Since 1972, he served as a member, vice president for camping and a president of the Hudson Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1980, he was awarded the Silver Beaver, the highest award given by a local council. In 1990, he was honored with the Distinguished Citizen Award.

In 2004, Schmidt was named the Business Person of the Year by the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce and in 2007, he and his wife, Mary, were awarded the Leadership Award for Sullivan County from the American Red Cross of Greater New York.

Schmidt is a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church of Monticello where he currently is lay leader, a member of the finance committee and on the board of trustees.

Schmidt lives in Monticello, N.Y., with his wife, Mary. They have two sons, Daniel and Christopher.

Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in six alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. Located just outside the Adirondack Park in Potsdam, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.

[A photograph for media use is available at http://www.clarkson.edu/news/photos/schmidt.jpg .]

Photo caption: Gary C. Schmidt of Monticello, N.Y., chairman of Schmidt's Wholesale Inc, has received the Golden Knight Award from his alma mater, Clarkson University. Left to right: Clarkson University President Tony Collins, Schmidt, and Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations Steve Newkofsky.