On July 1, 2019, Dan Castle, AICP became the new Deputy Commissioner of Planning & Economic Development.

Dan brings 34 years’ experience in planning, environmental impact analysis, economic development and infrastructure. He began his career working as a Planner for Oneida and Herkimer counties and then spent 30 years as a planning and environmental consultant working locally, across the US and internationally. Prior to joining ECDEP, Dan had worked on several high-profile local projects such as the Keybank Arena EIS, Lakeside Commerce Park EIS, Buffalo Convention Center EIS (2002), the Niagara River Greenway Plan/GEIS, and the Peace Bridge Expansion Project/Gateway EISs.

At ECDEP, Dan will be providing strategic direction to Planning, Economic Development, GIS/Mapping, and Community Development projects and initiatives, and also will be overseeing the development of the new Erie County Office of Agriculture. Dan grew up in the Town of Tonawanda and currently lives in East Aurora, where he has been active on the Village Planning Commission for nearly 20 years.