Biography of Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana

Edward A. Diana is a born and raised Orange County resident. Ed and his wife, Mary, reside in the Town of Goshen where they raised their two daughters, Lindsay and Danielle.

Ed Diana is a graduate of Middletown High School and Orange County Community College. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Connecticut University and a Masters in Education from Ithaca University.

Prior to being elected County Executive in 2001, Mr. Diana worked for 30 years as an educator and athletic instructor in the Minisink Public School System. Mr. Diana knows what its like to run a small business, having owned the very popular downtown Middletown restaurant “Diana’s” that his grandparents and parents started in 1936.

Ed, or Eddie as he’s known among friends and family, is a member of numerous civic organizations including: the Sons of Italy, the Middletown Elks, UNICO and the Goshen Historic Track Board.  He is a former member of the Middletown Kiwanis, past president of the Middletown High School Booster Club and former board member of the Horton Hospital Board. Mr. Diana is a strong believer in our community’s young people and has devoted over ten years to coaching at Minisink Valley High School, as well as to our local youth Pop-Warner football league.

Mr. Diana has a wide range of experience working in various levels of government.  He currently is serving his second four-year term as County Executive. He served 12 years as Republican/Conservative County Legislator and for six years held the position as County Majority Leader.  Ed has the understanding of what it takes to make government work, having also served as councilman and deputy supervisor in the Town of Wallkill in early the 1980’s.

Mr. Diana was elected as County Executive on November 6, 2001. His term of office ran from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2005.

Mr. Diana was re-elected to a second term as County Executive on November 8, 2005. His term of office runs from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2009. 

During his first term, the Diana Administration has tackled head-on the numerous challenges facing our growing County, which is the fastest growing County in New York State.

With the world we in live in today, it’s good to know that public safety is at the top of Mr. Diana’s priority list. His administration has taken significant measures to further protect the residents of Orange County.

Public safety, keeping our economy strong and planning for the future of Orange County are among Mr. Diana’s top priorities. Mr. Diana has also taken steps to revitalize cities and villages, fight crime among our youth, promote culture and the arts, upgrade infrastructure and enhance services provided by the County.

During his tenure as County Executive, Mr. Diana has been honored and recognized with the following awards:
New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID), Local Government Customer of the Year Award, 2005
 UNICO, Man of the Year Award, 2004
 Greater Hudson Valley, Family Health Center, Pillar of the Community, 2004
 New York Library Association, Outstanding Advocates for Libraries Award, 2004
Award from the Literacy Volunteers of Orange County
Mental Health Association, Silver Bell Award, 2004
 March of Dimes, Honorary Walk Chairman, 2004 & 2003
 Orange County Partnership, Most Valuable Partner, 2003
 Glen E. Hines Boys and Girls Club, Community Service Award, 2003
 Occupations, Heart of Gold, 2003
 Republican National Hispanic Assembly, Leadership Award, 2003
 Veterans Coalition, Award for Veteran’s Cemetery, 2003
 POW’R Against Tobacco, Outstanding Service Award, 2003
 Mid Hudson Horse Trail Association Recognition Award, 2003
 Let’s Talk, Distinguished Man, 2002
 Healthy Orange, Leadership Award, 2002
 St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, Leadership Award, 2002
 New York State Office of the Aging, Leadership for Ombudsman Program, 2002
 Rehabilitation Support Services Pride in Recovery Award, 2001
 Raffaello Lodge 2661, Man of the Year, 2001