A top Hudson Valley official is being deployed overseas with the U.S. Navy.

On Sunday, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer announced on Twitter Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus is being deployed for a tour of duty in the Middle East.

"Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, a Lieutenant Commander in the @Navy_Reserve, is departing for a tour of duty in the Middle East," Steve, I salute you. Thank you for your service to New York and our nation," Schumer wrote on Twitter. 

In late October, Neuhaus issued a statement regarding his pending deployment.

“I have been notified that in the near future I will be mobilizing overseas for the United States military,” Neuhaus said. “I, along with many other Orange County residents, have an obligation to fulfill my commitment as a member of the armed services. Over the past five years, my administration has put together a tremendous leadership team. I’m confident that they, along with the County workforce, will continue to work diligently for the taxpayers of Orange County.”

Neuhaus is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves, currently assigned to a Naval Special Warfare team, according to his bio on the Orange County Government website. He has earned two warfare designations: Seabee Combat Warfare (SCW) Officer and Navy Expeditionary Supply Corps Officer (NESCO) and holds certifications from the Naval War College and the Joint Special Operations University.

Neuhaus, Orange County's sixth county executive, is a life-long Orange County resident. He graduated from Monroe-Woodbury High School and took courses at SUNY Orange during his senior year. He went on to receive a bachelor degree in History/Political Science from Mount Saint Mary College and a master's degree in Public Administration from Marist College.

It's unclear how long Neuhaus will be deployed, but he expects to be in touch with top officials from Orange County.

“We have a solid managerial, legal, and financial team in place and I expect to be able to be in contact with all of them,” Neuhaus said. “Orange County will continue in the positive direction it’s been heading under my administration. I look forward to completing my mission and returning as quickly as possible to get back to my family and my County work.”

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