The Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley congratulates Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus on his forthcoming promotion to the rank of Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

The county executive’s promotion, which was announced by  U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, is a merit selection, which means he will be elevated ahead of his peers. Neuhaus will become a Commander effective Oct. 1.

“I am honored to serve my country and to receive this promotion from the Secretary of Defense,” Neuhaus said. “This would not be possible without the unwavering support of my family, my staff, and the brave men and women that I am proud to work alongside in the armed forces of the United States. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be of service to my country in the Navy Reserves, while also serving my fellow residents of Orange County.”

Neuhaus became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy in December 2007. He served on active duty earlier this year in Europe with the Sixth Fleet in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Sixth Fleet is the Navy’s operational fleet and staff of the U.S. Naval Forces in Europe and Africa.

Neuhaus was previously on active duty from November 2018 to June 2019. During that time he served with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, spending most of his deployment in various locations throughout Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. military campaign against ISIS. He also served overseas in South Korea in 2017 and North Africa in 2011.