SUGAR LOAF, N.Y. (July 15, 2021) – Vision Hudson Valley announces Sharon Soons as its new President and Executive Director. Soons previously held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Soons Orchards in New Hampton, NY.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with our board, membership, sponsors, volunteers and communities for the betterment of our county and region. And I’m looking forward to welcoming more people into this movement to “learn more, do more, live better,” especially as we mark our 50th year,” said Soons.

Soons, an Orange County native, received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. After college, Soons settled in New York City and found herself in the environmental non-profit field. Soons has worked with Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Transportation Alternatives, New York League of Conservation Voters, and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Coalition/Conservancy.

In 2004, Soons returned to the area and to her family’s farm, Soons Orchards – first as Retail Director and then COO. She is a Class of 2006 Leadership Orange graduate and has over the last decade volunteered for several boards and groups in the region, including Farm Bureau, Stewart Park and Reserve Coalition, OC Agricultural & Farmland Protection Board, Vision Hudson Valley Agriculture Committee, and the Omega Institute.

“The Board of Trustees is elated to welcome Sharon Soons aboard as VHV’s President and Executive Director. The Search Committee found the perfect candidate in Sharon as a successful entrepreneur with extensive non-profit experience. Sharon has deep roots in the community and is eager to put her local knowledge and extensive skill set into action to propel VHV forward,” said Andrea Nilon, Chair of Vision Hudson Valley Board of Trustees.

An open house will be held on Thursday, July 29th from 5 to 7 PM at the Seligmann Center at Vision Hudson Valley in Sugar Loaf for community members to meet Soons. The event is free and all are welcome, please RSVP to info@visionhudsonvalley.org. For more information about Vision Hudson Valley, please visit: http://visionhudsonvalley.org.

About Vision Hudson Valley (formerly the Orange County Citizens Foundation): Vision Hudson Valley, founded in 1971, is a membership-based, non-governmental organization that improves quality of life for Hudson Valley residents through public policy and advocacy in land use and transportation planning, water conservation, waste management, cultural affairs, education, agriculture, recreation, and healthcare. Vision Hudson Valley is housed on 50 acres of bucolic farmland, formerly the home of Surrealist artist Kurt Seligmann. On these Sugar Loaf grounds, known as the Seligmann Center, the organization brings people together to create and share new ideas, artistic performances, and thought-provoking programming. For more information, visit our website at visionhudsonvalley.org or contact us at 845.469.9459 or info@visionhudsonvalley.org.

Photo features: Sharon Soons, recently appointed President and Executive Director of Vision Hudson Valley. Credit to EC Media Group.