Doug Blough of GMDC Dies

Doug Blough, longtime dir. of communications for nonfoods and health and wellness trade group Global Market Development Center passed away Saturday at the age of 58 in Colorado Springs following a battle against pancreatic cancer.

"Doug made huge contributions to GMDC and its success over the years and he'll be missed by all of us privileged to have worked with him," said GMDC c.e.o. Dave McConnell. "He fought against this insidious disease and to the very end maintained the sense of dignity, kindness and caring for others that were at the core of who he was and how he'll be remembered by all of us who were privileged to have known him."

"In speaking to Doug's wife Linda, she wanted all of their GMDC and industry friends to know how much the many cards, calls, and letters meant to Doug over these last five months," added McConnell. "The love and support of his family and friends gave Doug the strength to continue to fight when others might have succumbed to the disease."

A resident of Colorado Springs since 1975, Blough represented GMDC as an outside consultant for more than two decades providing visual communications services until he joined the staff management team in December 1999. His tenure as a GMDC employee continued until late 2005 when he retired to spend more time with his wife Linda and pursue his passion for fine-art digital imagery.

Even after his retirement, his passion for the industry couldn't keep him away, and he continued to manage GMDC's creative and communication activities as an outside contractor, and also served as the association's liaison interfacing with the trade press and managing its public relations programs.

Throughout his tenure with GMDC Blough played a significant role in creating and managing the association's brand, and became particularly close to the trade press, serving as the host for GMDC's annual Trade Press Luncheon in New York City every December.

An avid outdoorsman, Steeler fan, and golfer he reserved his greatest passion for his wife Linda, two children, Justin and Amanda, and his two grandchildren.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to:

[email protected]

Editor's note: The PG staff, which has had the pleasure of interacting with Doug on many occasions throughout the years, will miss the enthusiasm and energy that he brought to the industry. Our condolences go out to his loved ones.
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