Duane started the North Idaho Sports awards banquet in 1964. He is an American newspaper publisher, urban planner, real estate and land developer.
He is known as the founder of the Coeur d'Alene Resort and Golf Course in northern Idaho, which has been named by Golf Magazine, Golf Digest, and Golf World Magazine as one of the finest-groomed golf courses in North America, out of 6,500 total golf courses ranked. As the president, CEO, and founder of the Hagadone Corporation, he has holdings in publishing as well as hotel, resort, and casino development. In 2004, he was honored with the Horatio Alger Award by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. In 2006, he was named the Idaho Business Leader of the Year by the Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity of Idaho State University in Pocatello.