Vince Horrigan

Vince Horrigan was a Colonel in the United States Air Force, serving as a career officer for 27 years before retiring in 1998.

Following his graduation from Kent State University in 1971, Mr. Horrigan joined the Air Force, and as a fighter pilot, logged over 3,500 hours in front-line fighter aircraft. His assignments included service as a USAF Fighter Weapons School Instructor, NATO Tactical Systems and Readiness Evaluator, Security Assistance Program Manager for the Pacific Rim countries, and Deputy Commander for Combat Air Forces for the 50th Fighter Wing in the United Kingdom and 3rd Air Force in Europe. As a senior officer, he held Command, Pentagon and NATO international assignments.

After his retirement from the Air Force, he joined the American Red Cross of Chautauqua County and served as Executive Director of the Southwestern NY Chapter serving Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties until 2011. On January 2, 2012, Mr. Horrigan was sworn in as Chautauqua County Legislator. He served one two-year term, and then on January 1, 2014, was elected Chautauqua County Executive, serving one term as CEO of Chautauqua County government, retiring on January 1, 2018.

From September 16, 2019 through November 1, 2020, Mr. Horrigan served as Interim Executive Director of the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance, raising funds and allocating resources to improve the water quality and control invasive vegetation in Chautauqua Lake and its watershed.

Mr. Horrigan is past president of the Rotary Club of Jamestown. He has served on the boards of The American Red Cross of SWNY, the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, Chautauqua County Opportunities Inc., the South and Center Sewer District, the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance, and the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County.

In 2007, Mr. Horrigan was named “Leader of the Year” by the Chautauqua Leadership Network. He holds a Master’s degree in Management from Troy State University. He and his wife, Barbara, have two grown children who live with their spouses in the Florida panhandle area, and are the proud grandparents of four granddaughters.