Monticello, NY – Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek is pleased to welcome John Liddle as Deputy County Manager. Liddle’s appointment by Potosek was confirmed today by the Legislature, and he will begin on April 1.
“John’s incredible experience, professionalism and collaborative ambition set him apart and will provide Sullivan County with top-notch leadership,” Potosek said. “He’s an innovative thinker, a quick learner and an accomplished veteran of the armed services, both at sea and on land.”
A native of Pottsville, Pa., Liddle just retired from the U.S. Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During two decades in the Navy, he served on the USS Princeton during the post-9/11 Operation Enduring Freedom, on the USS Mason during two narcotics interdictions and the release and return of a freighter and 24 hostages seized by Somali pirates, and on the USS Hue City during a major fire that was extinguished while at sea, without injury to the crew.
Liddle also served at the Pentagon as Technical Support Officer and Operations Briefer to the Chief of Naval Operations. During this time, he completed a Master’s in Strategic Communications and Leadership from Seton Hall University, bolstering a Bachelor’s in Political Science earned at the U.S. Naval Academy. At the same time, he completed a second Master’s, in National Security and Strategic Studies at the Naval War College.
After the Mason, Liddle served as Counterterrorism and Personnel Recovery Section Chief at U.S. Central Command Headquarters, earning the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He later became Executive Officer of Naval Support Activity Washington at the historic Washington Navy Yard in Washington, DC. As part of those duties, he helped lead the recovery from a nationally known workplace shooting.
Liddle completed his Navy tenure as Executive Assistant to the Commander of Navy Installations Command, establishing the Commander’s Action Group.
“Much of my career has been spent leading and coordinating the crews of entire installations and ships, including mentoring and motivating staff, developing and following budgetary limits, and creating and executing innovative programs,” Liddle said.
“I recently completed a very successful three-year tour as the Executive Officer for Naval Support Activity, Washington, DC. In this capacity, I supervised all aspects of running a military base, including fire, police, emergency management, public works, and Sailor and Family Services. Because of that experience, I was asked to complete my final tour of military duty by providing executive communications and decision support to Vice Admiral Mary Jackson, who is responsible for the safe and effective operation of all 71 Navy bases (valued at $259 billion) around the world.”
Liddle plans to bring his communication and team-building skills to his role as Deputy Sullivan County Manager, overseeing all aspects, functions and personnel of County government.
“I am thrilled to be a part of a rapidly growing region in a momentous time, and I look forward to contributing my skills to the continued revitalization of Sullivan County,” he affirmed. “I consider myself a servant leader, defining my success by the success of those on my team, and I guide all of my management decisions by three words: rigor, transparency and accountability.”
Liddle is relocating to Sullivan County from Virginia with his wife Laura and their two daughters, ages 12 and 8, who will attend local public schools. Both he and Laura come from small towns in eastern Pennsylvania and are eager to return to a more rural way of life close to their extended family.
“We’re looking forward to starting the next chapter in our lives by getting back to the mountains in an area that already has much to celebrate … and is on a bright path to becoming far more,” he noted.