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ALAN’S STORY

 

Alan J. Sorensen, AICP was born on February 15, 1965, in Oneonta, New York. He grew up on his parent’s farm in Morris, New York with his seven brothers. It is there that he learned the important values of family, community, and hard work. In 1982, he attended the American Legion Boys’ State at Morrisville State College. Alan graduated with honors from Morris Central School and went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts Degree at SUNY Oneonta in 1987, majoring in Geography and Anthropology with a minor in Urban Planning. He received his first Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University in 1989. Alan then earned his Masters in Public Administration from Pace University in 1996 – where he graduated at the top of his class.

 

Presently, he is President of Planit Main Street, Inc., a full-service planning consulting firm that he founded that serves communities throughout the mid-Hudson and Catskills Region. Mr. Sorensen has worked at the City, County, and State levels of government in New York State. As Assistant Commissioner for the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal he played an instrumental role in the creation of the New York Main Street program. Alan also served as Commissioner of Planning and Community Development for Sullivan County from 1997 – 2003 during which time he spearheaded such efforts as the Emerald Corporate Center, Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, Agri-Business Revolving Loan Fund, and Main Street Redevelopment Center.

 

In 2000, Mr. Sorensen was selected as the State-wide Friend of Extension by Cornell University, in recognition of his efforts to “enable people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and research knowledge to work.”

 

Mr. Sorensen’s planning work was national recognized in the January 2000 issue of Planning magazine. His planning work has also been recognized in Empire State Report and Kaatskill Life magazines. Alan is a recognized leader in historic preservation efforts, receiving the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s state-wide Public Sector Achievement Award in November of 2003.

 

Mr. Sorensen is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), the Hudson Valley West Director of the American Planning Association Metro New York Chapter, former Chairman of the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, former President of the Emerald Corporate Center, and current President of the Emerald Green Property Owners Association. Alan and his wife Jane have three children, Christopher, Jaclynn, and Sara and they reside in Rock Hill, New York. Jane is a parent ambassador with the Every Person Influences Children (EPIC) program which has an office at the Cooke School in Monticello, New York.

 

Personal History:

 

1. Name: Alan J. Sorensen

2. Date of Birth: February 15, 1965

3. Residence: Rock Hill, New York

4. Marital Status: Married – Wife Jane for 18 Years

5. Children: Christopher (15), Jaclynn (10), and Sara (7)

 

Education:

 

1. High School: Morris Central School – Morris, New York with honors American Legion Boys’ State at Morrisville State College

2. College: SUNY Oneonta with a Bachelor’s in Geography and Anthropology Rutgers University – Master’s in City and Regional Planning Pace University – Master’s in Public Administration with honors

3. Secondary Schooling or specific training: American Institute Certified Planner (AICP) FAA Private Pilots License

 

Professional Status: (last three jobs)

 

1. President of Planit Main Street, Inc.

2. Assistant Commissioner for the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (New York Main Street Program)

3. Commissioner of Planning and Community Development – Sullivan County, New York

 

Elected Position Sought: Sullivan County Legislature – District # 9

 

Above: Alan Sorensen makes the formal presentation to members of Empire State Development Corporation for the designation of the Sullivan County Empire Zone. Mr. Sorensen wrote the Empire Zone Application and served as the County’s Empire Zone Administrator from 2001 – 2003.

Above: Alan addresses public gathering during the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway whistle stop tour along Route 97 in September of 2002.

Sullivan County Government Center 100 North Street Monticello, NY 12701 (845) 793-3000 Ext. 3300