ALBANY, NY — Sullivan County Legislator Alan Sorensen has been named the new planning commissioner of Orange County. The appointment was made by Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus and must be confirmed by the Orange County legislature.

Sorensen has headed his own planning firm, Planit Main Street Inc., for 18 years, and has worked on planning projects for numerous municipalities in New York. Previously Sorensen served as commissioner of the Sullivan County Department and Community Development, and also worked in the New York State Division of Housing and Community Development.

Sorensen will retain his seat on the Sullivan County Legislature where he serves as majority leader. According to his website, “Sorensen has more than 25 years of professional planning experience and holds a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University and a Masters in Public Administration from Pace University. In addition, he is an American Institute Certified Planner (AICP) since 1992.”