James Morrell has been the owner of seven automobile dealerships, 27 radio stations and nine other businesses in the Capital District area.

He was honored in 2002 with the Trefoil Award for work with the Girl Scouts of America and is a former Man of the Year for the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters organization. He was awarded the Dr. Egon Plaeger Humanitarian Award from Siena College and the Danny Thomas Humanitarian Award from St. Jude Children’s Hospital. 

Professionally, Morrell was named Time Magazine’s “Dealer of the Year” by the National Automotive Dealers Association and was president of the New York State Automobile Sales Association. In addition to managing 43 different businesses, Morrell has continued to find time to “give back” to the community in an attempt to improve the quality of life. One of the many examples is that his Albany Broadcasting Company (ABC) sponsored the building of a Habitat for Humanity house. This property was a home valued at more than $100,000 and donated to a needy family as part of the Habitat for Humanity program. After the September 11th attacks on America, ABC also gave away 120,000 American flags and raised $120,000 in money and supplies for the New York City disaster relief efforts.

While attending CCHS, Morrell was President of the Student Council and was a member of 23 school clubs and organizations. He continued his involvement at Siena College where he graduated in 1966.