Division of Planning & Environmental Management Staff

Luiz C. Aragon, Commissioner, Division of Planning and Environmental Management (DPEM)

Commissioner Aragon has been the catalyst for a renewed focus on Main Street Development as a tool to redirect the County’s Community and Economic Development toward Main Streets in an effort to heal the County’s economy main street by main street, village by village, town by town, while preserving and respecting our natural resources from seasonal streams to watersheds.

Mr. Aragon joined the Sullivan County team in 2009, bringing with him over 20 years of government experience in New York City.  He served New York City under four Mayors in various capacities in the Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Transportation, and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.  Most recently, he served as the Deputy Commissioner of Preservation Services under Commissioner Donovan, now HUD Secretary.

His experience encompasses architecture, planning, community development, grant administration, operations, education, enforcement, litigation, and preservation.

Commissioner Aragon holds a bachelors degree in Architecture from Pratt Institute and a Masters in Business and Administration from Baruch College in New York City.

Ethan Cohen joined the Division of Planning in 2008, bringing expertise in community design and planning from a range of urban and rural contexts. In his role as Chief Planner, Ethan supports the Division’s goals by coordinating special projects with a focus on community and economic development, in addition to tracking impacts and policy developments surrounding natural gas development and other proposed energy projects. He also provides support and coordination on joint initiatives of the County’s Center for Workforce Development and Economic Development Corporation, such as research on workforce housing, rural broadband and countywide economic development strategies.  With a background in architecture and urban design, Ethan is experienced in overseeing construction and renovation projects, as well as in facilitating community design plans. Prior to coming to Sullivan County, he directed the City College Architecture Center, a technical assistance program of The City University of New York (CUNY). Ethan holds a Bachelor's degree in art history and a Master's degree in architecture from Yale University. He is a registered architect in New York State and holds a LEED Green Associate accreditation.

Heather signed on as a Planner for the Division in December of 2005.  She completed her undergraduate degree at the New School for Social Research and received a Masters in Urban Planning from Hunter College in New York City.  Heather has previously worked for both the private and public sectors in areas ranging from housing to transportation.  In addition to assisting with several ongoing projects, Heather is instrumental in completing General Municipal Law reviews for the Division.

Jennifer Mall, Agricultural Planner

Jennifer has been with the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management since September 2008.  She handles all aspects of agricultural planning and economic development, working closely with stakeholder organizations, including Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County, the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board, and the Sullivan County IDA on a number of local, county and regional agriculture projects.  She also has experience in land use planning and zoning policy and regulations, grantwriting, and demographic research.  Jennifer holds a BA in Peace, War and Defense from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an MA in Social Science from the Environment and Community Program at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA.