John Liddle
Liberty,NY
Summary
Senior public-sector and military executive with 20+ years of experience leading complex organizations, developing leaders, and driving enterprise change across high-stakes, mission-driven environments. Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders without direct authority, coach and guide other leaders, strengthen organizational performance, and build systems that improve capability, accountability, and service outcomes. Master of Arts in Strategic Communications and Leadership with a strong organizational development focus. Known for trauma-informed, client-centered leadership, strategic communication, and a deep commitment to serving vulnerable communities.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy County Manager; Social Services Commissioner; Health and Human Services Commissioner
County of Sullivan, New York
Liberty, NY
04.2019 - 06.2026
- Lead countywide human services operations spanning public health, nursing home operations, mental health, and social services.
- Guide leaders and teams across multiple functions through complex change, operational accountability, and performance improvement.
- Built and expanded access to substance use treatment services through coordinated leadership with internal and external partners, resulting in more than 79% decrease in opioid overdose deaths from their peak.
- Implemented the Unite Us social care referral system across county government and nonprofit partners, improving access to SNAP, Medicaid, behavioral health, and housing supports.
- Managed a major pandemic response, transitioning more than 400 employees to telework and establishing emergency community support systems.
- Led organizational recovery and performance improvement efforts following highly visible child welfare crises, helping restore staffing and strengthen key service metrics.
- Applied a trauma-informed, client-centered approach to service delivery for vulnerable residents and families.
Executive Assistant to the Commander; Installation Executive Officer
Navy Installations Command / Naval Support Activity Washington
03.2015 - 03.2019
- Supervised operations across police, fire, EMS, public works, and social service programs supporting 33,000 tenant personnel at six Navy facilities.
- Served as primary liaison with union representatives and senior Navy leaders on labor relations and human resource issues.
- Improved training, recordkeeping, hiring, and collaboration to strengthen a struggling base police force and raise operational standards.
- Supported workforce development efforts, including behavioral health services and professional development for Sailors and families.
- Advised senior leaders on facility management, security, childcare capacity, and budget matters.
Surface Warfare Officer
United States Navy
06.1999 - 03.2015
- Served in progressively responsible leadership roles aboard multiple ships during three Middle East deployments.
- As second-in-command of USS Hue City, led 300 Sailors and helped earn recognition as the outstanding ship in the Strike Group.
- Directed crisis response during a major shipboard fire, demonstrating calm judgment and decisive leadership under pressure.
Joint Qualified Officer, Certified Military Operations Planner
U.S. Central Command
09.2009 - 01.2013
- Developed counterterrorism plans briefed to the President and supported interagency coordination at the highest levels.
- Built and led an interagency working group involving DOD, FBI, CIA, NSA, and State Department partners to solve complex geopolitical challenges.
- Influenced outcomes through collaboration, persuasion, and trusted leadership across organizations with no direct reporting relationship.
Education
Master of Arts - National Security and Strategic Studies
U.S. Naval War College
11-2005
Master of Arts - Strategic Communications and Leadership
Seton Hall University
05-2005
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
United States Naval Academy
05-1999
Skills
- Leadership Development
- Organizational Development
- Executive Coaching
- Policy writing
- Change Management
- Crisis management
- Strategic planning
- Interagency collaboration
- Intergovernmental relations
- Negotiation skills
- Public administration
- Learning Strategy
- Team Development
- Strategic Communications
- Culture Building
- Cross-Functional Influence
- Public speaking
- Community relations
- Trauma-Informed Leadership
- Client-Centered Service
Volunteer Leadership
- Exterior Firefighter, Company Warden, and Secretary, Liberty Joint Fire Department
Timeline
Deputy County Manager; Social Services Commissioner; Health and Human Services Commissioner
County of Sullivan, New York
04.2019 - 06.2026
Executive Assistant to the Commander; Installation Executive Officer
Navy Installations Command / Naval Support Activity Washington
03.2015 - 03.2019
Joint Qualified Officer, Certified Military Operations Planner
U.S. Central Command
09.2009 - 01.2013
Surface Warfare Officer
United States Navy
06.1999 - 03.2015
Master of Arts - National Security and Strategic Studies
U.S. Naval War College
Master of Arts - Strategic Communications and Leadership
Seton Hall University
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
United States Naval Academy