Limba

Virtual Meeting: Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart
2020-11-20 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
For recap and video see this page:
Geraldine Hart was elected Suffolk County’s first woman police Commissioner in February 2018. Before becoming commissioner, Hart headed up the FBI’s Long Island office, was the Senior Supervisory Resident Agent and the liaison to senior FBI leaders and state, county, local and federal law enforcement partners. She also supervised the Long Island Gang Task Force.
https://zoom.us/j/6317571698

Virtual Meeting: National Grid President John Bruckner ( Keith Rooney)
2020-12-04 09:00 - 10:00
Bruckner was named President of national Grid in April 2018. Since joining National Grid in 1985, he has held a number of positions with increasing responsibility, including division manager for electric design and construction, director of transmission and distribution project management, president of Long Island transmission and distribution and senior vice president of U.S. Electric Operations. He was named Executive Vice President of Network Operations, Safety & Capital Delivery in August 2017.
Bruckner is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from New York Institute of Technology. He serves as a board member of Edison Electric Institute, the Long Island Association, Red Cross of Long Island, the Center for Energy Workforce Development and the New York Smart Grid Consortium.
In his role as Chief Operating Officer, Daly will lead the delivery of safe, reliable electricity service to 3.3 million customers across New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He joined National Grid in 1988 as a Management Trainee in the Customer Relations department. In addition to his role as New York president, he has served as National Grid’s Global Financial Controller, Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. and U.K. gas distribution businesses, and has held numerous positions in Finance, Human Resources and Customer Relations.
A graduate of St. Francis College, Daly holds an MBA from St. John’s University and an MS from New York University. Additionally, he completed the Harvard University Advanced Management Program and has achieved the distinguished Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Daly is a member of the David Rockefeller ‘Fellows Program,’ the Long Island Energeia Partnership, and serves on the boards of the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York City Partnership and Ridgewood Savings Bank.

Virtual Meeting: MacArthur Airport Commissioner Shelly LaRose
2020-12-18 09:00 - 10:00
LaRose Arkin will discuss the status of the new 100,000 square-foot concourse, and upgrade existing facilities at Long Island MacArthur Airport to attract more customers and new airlines.

Virtual Meeting: New York State Senator James Gaughran
2021-01-08 09:00 - 10:00
See this page for meeting recap & video
Jim Gaughran is the State Senator for the 5th district, covering the North Shore of Long Island. A practicing attorney, he has decades of experiences as a public official serving the people of Long Island.
At the age of 26, Jim was elected to the Huntington Town Board in 1983, becoming the youngest Councilman in the history of his town. As a member of the Town Board, he wrote one of the State’s first ethics laws requiring local officials to disclose all sources of outside income and exposing any possible conflicts of interest.
As Councilman, he ended decades of corrupt garbage collection practices by creating municipal solid waste districts, authored numerous zoning and environmental laws to protect environmentally sensitive areas and, as the lone Democrat, became fiscal watchdog over budgetary issues.
In 1987, Jim was elected to the Suffolk County Legislature representing the 17th Legislative District in the Town of Huntington. As a legislator, he authored a Charter Amendment taking away the Legislature’s ability to amend the Capital Budget anytime they wanted for pet projects. This Amendment was received with overwhelming support by the voters in a public referendum, and helped reduce Suffolk’s debt for years after.
As Chair of the Public Safety Committee, he reformed the Suffolk County Police Department with new community-oriented police policies and he co-sponsored the Suffolk Water Protection Act, which led to preserving the Central Pine Barrens and other critical watershed areas in Suffolk County.
From 2008 until his election to the New York State Senate, Jim served as both Chair and member of the Suffolk County Water Authority. Jim implemented smart management practices which reduced the payroll by 6% in 4 years, resulting in the Authority having a high bond rating of AAA issued by Fitch and Standard and Poors.
In 1987, Jim married his wife, Carol, a Library Media Specialist. The Gaughran’s have a daughter, Kaitlin, a graduate of George Washington University and a son, Michael, a graduate of Whittier College.
Jim was raised in Dix Hills where he graduated from Half Hollow Hills High School. He has spent most of his life in Suffolk County and currently resides with his wife in Northport. He has a Juris Doctorate degree from Hofstra Law School and a Bachelors degree from SUNY Stony Brook.

Virtual Meeting: Insights on Our times - Empire Government Strategies' Jerry Kremer and Anthony Figliola
2021-01-22 09:00 - 10:00
EGS is the company that businesses, trade groups and even government agencies go to when they need to reach decision makers or galvanize local community support for an important issue or proect.

The company is led by the highly respected bipartisan duo of Jerry Kremer, former Member of the New York State Assembly for 23 years, including 12 years as Chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, and Anthony Figliola, former Deputy Supervisor for the Town of Brookhaven – New York’s 2nd largest municipality.
The EGS team maintains relationships with both sides of the political aisle. We can navigate through the toughest issues and reach key decision makers in Washington, Albany, New York City, and around the state.
No matter the size of your organization you will get the full benefit of a smart and committed team who knows how to create winning strategies.

Virtual Meeting: The Redevelopment of Underutilized Shopping Centers - Mitch Palley, Long Island Builders Institute
2021-02-05 09:00 - 10:00 | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtdeqgrD4rEtdcZR0toa1vejMigd-T2OQN
To see the video stream of this meeting click here.
Mr. Pally was selected as the Chief Executive Officer of the Long Island Builders Institute in December 2010.
The Long Island Builders Institute is the largest home building trade association in New York State, representing
all parts of the home construction industry. Since 2005, Mr. Pally has also been the Suffolk County representative
to the Board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the largest mass transit operator in the world.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Pally was the partner in charge of government relations for the Weber Law
group, one of Long Island’s leading real estate law firms.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Pally served as the Vice-President for Governmental Affairs for the Long Island
Association from 1992 to 2006. He was responsible for all governmental and community activities of the
Association. Mr. Pally was associated with the LIA since August 1985 when he was appointed Director of
Legislative and Economic Affairs. Established in 1926, the LIA is the region’s largest business and civic
organization with more than 3,000 member firms and organizations employing more than 400,000 people.
Prior to his service with the LIA, Mr. Pally held a number of positions in the New York State Legislature. From
1975 to 1983, Mr. Pally served in various capacities to the New York State Senate Committee on Transportation
and the Legislative Commission on Critical Transportation Choices. From 1983 to 1985, Mr. Pally was the Chief
Counsel to the Committee and the Commission. During his service to the Senate, Mr. Pally played a key role in
the drafting and passage of such important transportation legislation as the first in the nation seatbelt law, child
restraint law, the Transportation Bond Issues of 1983 and 1979, reserved parking spaces for disabled drivers and
others.

Virtual Meeting: The Challenges Faced By Higher Education During Uncertain Times - Dr. Donald Boomgaarden, Ph.D., President of St. Joseph's College
2021-03-05 09:00 - 10:00 | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtdeqgrD4rEtdcZR0toa1vejMigd-T2OQN
Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., the eighth president of St. Joseph’s College of New York, most recently served as the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Before arriving at Scranton, he was the dean of the College of Music and Fine Arts and David P. Swanzy Distinguished Professor of Music at Loyola University New Orleans, the only college devoted solely to the performing arts in the entire 28-university Jesuit system.
Dr. Boomgaarden is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the University of Vienna, where he was a Fulbright Scholar. He also graduated from Harvard University’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education. His teaching career has included positions at the Eastman School of Music, Ithaca College Conservatory of Music, St. Mary’s College in Maryland, the Institut für Musikwissenschaft at the University of Salzburg, Loyola University Maryland and Loyola University New Orleans. He served as chair of the music department at St. Mary’s College in Maryland, and later as assistant to the provost. At Loyola University Maryland, he was the assistant vice president for academic affairs and was primarily responsible for the creation of new academic programs, assessment and faculty development.
Dr. Boomgaarden has enjoyed a long career as a performing artist. While still in high school, he studied with Blaise Montandon at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas. At Texas State University, he studied piano and composition with Russell Riepe. Later, at the Eastman School, Dr. Boomgaarden studied with Ellen Martin and Thomas Donohue. He has performed at master classes with Gustav Leonhardt and Paul Badura-Skoda, and continues to perform frequently as a soloist and accompanist in Europe and the United States. Most recently, he performed Johann Sebastian Bach’s complete Goldberg Variations in Baltimore, Maryland; Corpus Christi, Texas; and New Orleans. He also performed a cycle of Chopin’s Mazurkas for Loyola’s Alumni College events. His most recent performances included an all-Chopin recital of Mazurkas, Nocturnes, Preludes and Waltzes, as well as a special concert broadcast on WVIA’s “Simply Grand” artist series.
Dr. Boomgaarden is a noted historian of opera, music aesthetics and harmonic theory. His writings include his book on the interrelationships between philosophy and music, “Musical Thought in Eighteenth-Century Britain and Germany,” and articles in The “New Grove Dictionary” and “The New Grove Dictionary of Opera,” as well as the “British Dictionary of National Biography”. He has published articles and reviews in many scholarly journals, including the Journal of Musicological Research, Journal of Music Theory, Ad Parnassum and the Journal of Education and Learning. Dr. Boomgaarden’s writing has also been published in a number of popular journals and magazines, such as Opera Today and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Virtual Meeting: The Power of Maglev - James Jordan, Chief Executive of the Interstate Maglev Project
2021-03-19 09:00 - 10:00 | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtdeqgrD4rEtdcZR0toa1vejMigd-T2OQN
James Jordan was introduced to Superconducting Maglev Technology while serving as legislative aide to Senator John C. Stennis. Before joining the Stennis staff, he served as the Director of the Energy R&D office for the Chief of Naval Operations. He is co-author of The Fight for Maglev, Making America the World Leader in 21st Century Transport, and Maglev America, How Maglev Will Transform the World Economy, with maglev pioneers James Powell and Gordon Danby.

Virtual Meeting: LI's Solid Waste Crisis - Brookhaven Town Supervisor, Ed Romaine
2021-04-02 09:00 - 10:00 | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtdeqgrD4rEtdcZR0toa1vejMigd-T2OQN
Ed Romaine is Brookhaven Town’s 70th Supervisor, having been elected to that office during a special election in 2012, and re-elected with a 63% plurality in 2013 for a full two-year term.
As Supervisor, Romaine has championed environmental and quality of life issues in Brookhaven Town, while strengthening Town finances. During his first year in office as Supervisor, Ed Romaine spearheaded legislation that will forever protect the Carmans River, which was unanimously approved by the Town Board and embraced by residents, environmentalists and the building community. He introduced a package of legislation that has strengthened the Town’s housing codes, and aggressively prosecuted problem landlords that have impacted neighborhoods throughout the Town.
Ed Romaine also proposed Vacant Home Registry legislation to make the owners of abandoned homes more accountable, and will be bringing single-stream recycling to Brookhaven in 2014 – making the Town the leader in this technology on Long Island. In addition, Ed Romaine has reduced millions of dollars in pipeline debt and maintained the Town’s strong credit rating, while also holding the line on total Town property taxes in his 2014 budget.
Ed began his career in public service as a history teacher in the Hauppauge School District, where he taught for ten years. In 1980, he entered public service as the Town of Brookhaven’s first Commissioner of Housing and Community Development and was later appointed Director of Economic Development.
Ed was a member of the Suffolk County Legislature serving from 1986 through 1989, where he was known as a fiscal conservative, sponsoring such cost-saving measures as the Suffolk County Tax Cap. Additionally, he established a record as a fighter for the environment by authoring Suffolk’s first Clean Water Act. In 1989, he was elected Suffolk County Clerk and served for 16 years, taking an active role in increasing productivity and improving access to official records. Ed is recognized as a pioneer in government use of technology and was chosen “2001 New York State County Clerk of the Year.”
In 2005, Ed Romaine was again elected to the County Legislature, representing the First Legislative District and re-elected in 2007, 2009, and 2011. As a county legislator, Ed preserved countless acres of open space across eastern Brookhaven, the North Fork and Shelter Island. He sponsored numerous pieces of landmark legislation including “Michael’s Law,” which banned explosive fuel gels; the state’s first local law to regulate helicopter traffic; and established the LIPA Oversight Commission. In addition, Ed reduced the tax burden on residents by promoting smart government initiatives and real tax reform.
Ed Romaine earned a B.A. in History from Adelphi University and a Masters in History from Long Island University. He resides in Center Moriches with his wife, Diane.

Virtual Meeting: NY State Senator John Brooks Discusses Local Issues
2021-04-16 09:00 - 10:00 | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtdeqgrD4rEtdcZR0toa1vejMigd-T2OQN
A lifelong resident of Long Island, John E. Brooks has devoted his life to giving back to his community. In November 2016, the people of the 8th Senate District elected him to continue his service as their representative in the New York State Senate.
For more than 50 years, Senator Brooks has been an active volunteer firefighter with the Seaford, Medford and Lindenhurst Fire Departments, previously serving as Seaford’s Chief of Department. In addition to his work for the fire department, Senator Brooks served on the Seaford Board of Education for a total of six years, acting as Vice President from 1997-1999. Prior to Superstorm Sandy, Senator Brooks was the Chairman of the Long Island Hurricane Symposium Programs where he worked hand-in-hand with hurricane experts and the National Weather Services to evaluate risk on Long Island.
Senator Brooks is also a member of several community civic organizations including the Wantagh Kiwanis Club, the Seaford Historical Society, the Lindenhurst Order of Moose, the Seaford American Legion, the Seaford Fire Department, and the Seaford Exempt Firefighters Benevolence Association.
Professionally, Senator Brooks was an executive in the insurance industry and worked as the Executive Director of Risk Management for Nassau County. He successfully challenged the New York State of Health Insurance Plans’ rate increases, resulting in its rollback and producing a savings of $400 million statewide.
Senator Brooks legislative priorities include tackling government corruption, ensuring that all students receive the highest quality education possible, addressing taxation evaluation, confronting hunger in our communities, protecting Long Island drinking water, combating the opioid epidemic, and making Long Island an affordable place to live and raise a family.
Senator Brooks is a veteran of the New York Army Reserve National Guard, having served for eight years as a medic. Currently, Brooks serves as Chairman of the NYS Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs in which he has sponsored numerous legislative efforts bolstering support for the rights and privileges due to New York’s thousands of women and men who have served in our nation’s military. These include increased and continued funding for the highly successful Joseph P. Dwyer Peer-To-Peer Counseling Program and the restoration of education funding for New York’s Gold Star Familes.
Brooks holds a Bachelor’s degree from New York Institute of Technology and an Associate’s degree from the State University of New York at Farmingdale. He resides in Seaford, and is a proud father and grandfather.

Virtual Meeting: Congressional Report - United States Congresswoman Kathleen Rice
2021-04-30 09:00 - 10:00
To join us, please register here
Congresswoman Kathleen Rice represents New York’s Fourth Congressional District, which encompasses the majority of Nassau County, NY, a diverse suburban community located on Long Island.
First elected to Congress in 2014, Kathleen has become a leading voice on national security issues as a member of the Homeland Security Committee, where she passed legislation to improve airport security screening in her first year and conducted rigorous oversight of the Trump Administration’s border policies during her tenure as Chair of the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations. As a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Kathleen established herself as a fierce advocate for veterans and for accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and she authored bipartisan legislation to expand employment opportunities for veterans, which was signed into law in January 2021. For the 117th Congress, Kathleen was named to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, which has the broadest jurisdiction of any authorizing committee in Congress, and she remains a member of the Homeland Security Committee.
Prior to Congress, Kathleen ran for District Attorney of Nassau County in 2005 and shocked the Long Island political establishment by defeating a 31-year incumbent, becoming the first woman elected District Attorney in Long Island history. Kathleen served as District Attorney from 2006 to 2014, and received national acclaim for her efforts to combat drunk driving, which led to a statewide overhaul of DWI laws and Long Island’s first DWI-related murder convictions. Rice also focused on combating public corruption, launching investigations that led to significant government reforms and the convictions of dozens of officials from both parties who violated the public’s trust.
Rice began her career in public service as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, NY, where she prosecuted cases of domestic violence and gang activity before joining the office’s elite Homicide Bureau. In 1999, Kathleen was appointed an Assistant U.S. Attorney, where she went on to an award-winning career as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Philadelphia office.
Kathleen resides in Garden City, NY, where she was raised with her nine brothers and sisters, and she is the proud owner of a Maltese-Yorkie rescue named Pearl. Kathleen is a graduate of the Catholic University of America (1987) and earned her law degree from Touro Law Center (1991).
Residence
Garden City, NY
Education
Catholic University, B.A., 1987
Touro Law Center, J.D., 1991
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Humanity & the Horseshoe Crab - John Tanacredi, Ph.D., Professor of Earth and Environmental Studies, Molloy College
2021-05-14 09:00 - 10:00
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John T. Tanacredi, Ph.D.Dr. Tanacredi has over 43 years of experience in environmental/ecological/conservation biology research and management. As Director of Molly College’s CERCOM, he has worked on a variety of water quality and conservation issues along the near shore ocean of the Long Island coast, including the Great South Bay. He has produced more than fifty peer-reviewed scientific publications; five books; and has led scientific/academic research expeditions to Easter Island, Chile; the Mediterranean (Italy, Greece, and Turkey), Costa Rica, Belize, eastern Canada, China, Taiwan, Japan the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Galápagos.
He is a world authority on Horseshoe Crab conservation and ecology. In more than forty years as a scientist and as a conservationist, flight meteorologist with the U.S. Navy “Hurricane Hunters;” environmental analyst with the U.S. Coast Guard Bridge Administration; 24 years as research ecologist with the National Park Service, and 13 years as an academician chairing a department of Earth and Marine Sciences, he has obtained or been involved as principal investigator in more than $5.5 million of research-related funding.
He has held research associate positions at the American Museum of Natural History’s Department of Invertebrate Zoology (1992-2012), the Wildlife Conservation Society, New York Aquarium Osborn Laboratories for Marine Sciences (1990-2012), and Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (2001 – 2012). Dr. Tanacredi received his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Polytechnic University (today, NYU Polytechnic Institute); his M.S. in Environmental Health Sciences from the Institute of Health Sciences at CUNY Hunter College; and his B.S. in Biological Sciences from CUNY Richmond College. Dr. Tanacredi is presently an active member and long-standing member of The Explorer’s Club, the NY Academy of Sciences, and CRESLI. He is currently the Director of CERCOM & Professor of Earth and Environmental Studies, Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Research (BCES) at Molly College.
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Covid's Effect on Higher Education - Dr. Hank Foley, President, New York Institute of Technology
2021-05-28 09:00 - 10:00
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Henry C. “Hank” Foley, Ph.D., is the fourth president of New York Institute of Technology. He joined the university in June 2017 after serving as interim chancellor of the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU). A seasoned administrator and an accomplished research scientist and teacher, Foley has decades of high-level experience in strategic planning, economic development and advanced research collaborations, program development, and enhanced funding in higher education.
As president of New York Tech, he is committed to expanding the university’s reputation as well as elevating its resource management and global outreach by ensuring that the university’s assets are synergistic and support its mission; instilling a leadership culture conducive to setting strategies that build excitement and passion for New York Tech’s future; and building and sustaining financial resources, enrollment, and the university’s relationships and stature within its various communities.
As MU’s interim chancellor, Foley directed the university’s research mission as well as led the quality and effectiveness of all academic programs. He joined the University of Missouri System in 2013 as executive vice president for academic affairs, where he was tasked with growing its academic and research expertise before being appointed interim chancellor in November 2015. Foley has also served as vice president for research and dean of the graduate school at The Pennsylvania State University. In addition, he has held faculty appointments at MU, Penn State, and the University of Delaware.
Foley earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Providence College, a master’s degree in chemistry from Purdue University, and doctorate in physical and inorganic chemistry from Penn State. An accomplished researcher who has dedicated more than 30 years to advancing the study of nanotechnology, he holds 16 patents, has written more than 150 articles and a textbook, and has mentored nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate thesis students. Foley has been recognized as a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Academy of Inventors.
In addition, he holds numerous memberships in professional and honor societies, including the Computing Research Association, Sigma Xi, Phi Lambda, and Sigma Pi Sigma. In 2015, Foley was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by Providence College and in 2017 earned the Distinguished Science Alumni Award from Purdue University. He is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Commission on Independent Colleges & Universities (cIcu) in New York and the Long Island Regional Advisory Council on Higher Education, and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Lincoln Center Business Improvement District. In 2019, he received a Long Island Business News Executive Circle Award.
Foley is married to Karin, his wife of 40 years. They reside in Plandome, N.Y., and have two daughters.
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Virtual Event: Ransomware - How to Protect Your Business From This New Cyber Threat
2021-06-25 09:00 - 10:00 | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwtceCtpzkpGdOJ_SJqC7mz1oR8nCrihter
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The list of high-profile ransomware attacks on businesses and infrastructure grows more alarming by the week, impacting everything from gas pipelines and meat supplies to ferries. Learn about the prevalence of these attacks, their possible origins, how to protect your business, and what to do if you become a victim.
Warren Axelrod
C. Warren Axelrod is Research Director for Financial Services for the US Cyber Consequences Unit. Previously, he was the Business Information Security Officer and Chief Privacy Officer for U.S. Trust. He was a founding member of the FS/ISAC in 1999 and represented financial services’ cybersecurity interests in the National Information Center in Washington, DC during Y2K. He testified before the U.S. Congress on cybersecurity in 2001.
Warren was honored with the prestigious Information Security Executive Luminary Leadership Award in 2007, and received Computerworld Premier 100 and Best in Class awards in 2003. He won the 2009 ISACA Michael P. Cangemi Best Article Award for an article on security metrics.
Warren’s more recent books include Engineering Safe and Secure Software Systems (2012), Outsourcing Information Security (2004), and Enterprise Information Security and Privacy (2009), published by Artech House.
He earned a Ph.D. in managerial economics from Cornell University, as well as a B.Sc. in electrical engineering and an M.A. in economics and statistics, both with honors, from Glasgow University. He is certified as a CISSP and CISM, and is a member of IEEE, ACM, (ISC)2, and ISACA.
Frank Imburgio
As president of Desktop Solutions, Frank is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of all major projects. He also designs many of the database architectures that drive our more complex applications. Frank is an IEEE Certified Software Engineering Master with over 30 years experience in SQL, PHP, Javascript, Ajax, HTML/CSS, Unix, Data Analysis, C++, Linux, Microsoft platforms, E-Commerce Deployment, Project Management, System Architecture and Cloud Engineering.
Before founding Desktop Solutions in 1996, he was Senior Database Administrator for Long Island Savings Bank and Assistant Vice President at Dean Witter Financial Services, where he was responsible for designing, developing and supporting custom software. Frank’s wide array of programming knowledge is also invaluable in legacy integration projects.

Virtual Event: The Northeast Rail Initiative - Bob Yaro, North Atlantic Rail Alliance
2021-07-16 09:00 - 10:00 | https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkduGqrzwsHNzDj3NuXcaS0NjsiZiXtwAC
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Bob Yaro is President of the North Atlantic Rail Alliance, Inc., which is advancing plans for a proposed high-speed and high performance rail network serving the 7-state New England – Downstate New York region, including Long Island.
Bob is Professor of Practice Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania, where he taught from 2012 to 2020. Before coming to Penn he taught at Harvard and the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. He is also President Emeritus of Regional Plan Association in New York, which he led for 25 years until 2014. He is also Chairman of the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol, RI.

Virtual Event: Policy Roundtable
2021-07-30 09:00 - 10:00 | https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqcuCgqjIiHNGCC3kBAO1NspjsOtJQiEua
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Our July 30th meeting will be an open discussion about LIMBA’s key concerns, with some local policy makers available to field questions. Please feel free to join us armed with your questions about Long Island’s future in education,
energy, environment, government, housing, infrastructure, and transportation.
Our local leaders will include John D. Cameron, Jr., Chariman of the Long Island Regional Planning Council, and Martin Cantor, Economist from the Long Island Center for Socio-Economic Policy.

Virtual Event: Legislative Matters That Matter - Suffolk County Legislator Robert Trotta
2021-08-13 09:00 - 10:00
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Rob Trotta is a life-long resident of the 13th Legislative District. He grew up in Commack with his two brothers and graduated from Commack High School in 1979. He lives in Fort Salonga with his wife, two children and dog.
He graduated from C.W. Post with a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and received a master’s in Labor Management Relations from Stony Brook University. For 25 years he worked as a police officer for the Suffolk County Police Department, retiring in 2013 with the rank of Detective. For over 10 years he was assigned to the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, where he worked on complex cases ranging from money laundering to confiscating large quantities of cocaine from our streets. His hard work and passion for the job were recognized on several occasions by his superiors, including “Cop of the Year” in 1993 and “Detective of the Year” in 2001.
Over the years, Rob has been active with several local organizations, including Kings Park Soccer Club, Kings Park Neighbors Association, the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation and the Kings Park Civic Association. In 2005, Rob helped lead an effort to prevent the development of up to 2,500 units of housing on the former Kings Park State Hospital property. He advocated for and eventually won state support for the transfer of the 365 acre property to New York State Parks in 2006. As a board member with the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation, he helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for beautification and restoration projects, and persuade the state to begin the first phase of the park’s cleanup in 2012-2013.To this day, he continues to volunteer with the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation.
Rob recognizes that our quality of life, which includes safe neighborhoods, great schools, and terrific parks, is the primary reason why many of us have chosen to live here. Our residents expect our elected representatives to protect and improve these assets for future generations.
In early 2013, Rob decided to run for the office of Suffolk County Legislator. His campaign was largely based on becoming a full time legislator with the goal of making county government more efficient.
Legislator Trotta was proudly sworn in as the Suffolk County Legislator for the 13th Legislative District on January 2, 2014. He has been re-elected every two years and was sworn in on January 2, 2020 for his fourth two-year term. Legislator Trotta has vowed to put you, the taxpayer, first and to strive to ensure that our parents and children can continue to live on Long Island, to eliminate wasteful spending and to eradicate the corruption in Suffolk County.
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Virtual Event: Affordable Housing, Opportunities & Obstacles - Peter J. Elkowitz, Jr., President & CEO, Long Island Housing Partnership
2021-08-27 09:00 - 10:00
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Mr. Elkowitz has been with the Long Island Housing Partnership since 1989. Mr. Elkowitz is responsible for the overall operation of Long Island Housing Partnership and its Affiliates. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Policy Analysis and Public Management. In June 2002, Mr. Elkowitz completed the Senior Executives Program in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He also received the Harry Weiner Distinguished Alumni Award in 1995 and the Governor’s award for Excellence in Housing in 1994. He is a member of the 2007 Class of The Energeia Partnership – The Academy for Regional Stewardship at Molloy College. Currently, he serves on the board of New York Housing Conference, Inc. Mr. Elkowitz served as Chair to the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Affordable Housing Advisory Council and was a former member of the Long Island Regional Planning Council. Mr. Elkowitz now serves on the Board for The National Community Land Trust Network dba Grounded Solutions Network and on the Board of Empire Justice Center. Mr. Elkowitz was honored as top CFO and 2016 was honored as top CEO by the Long Island Business News.

Virtual Event: Building Town Infrastructure - Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim
2021-09-10 09:00 - 10:00 | https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcld-Gtqz0iHtdkldxt3g9kV5U3gzhT08mL
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In his first 18 months in office as the town of Smithtown Supervisor, Ed Wehrheim has made downtown revitalization a shovel-ready reality. He has developed a feasible timeline to ensure the implementation of modern wastewater management, which is both essential to the survival of our environment and local business districts. Supervisor Wehrheim has taken a hands on role in securing new business with a focus on cleaning up vacant and blighted properties. His objective is to fast track renovating parks, beaches and infrastructure, support attractive jobs for a talented young workforce, provide affordable millennial and empty-nester living and a long term path to a sustainable Smithtown.
The Town of Smithtown now has an abundance of public information and transparency of government with the touch of a smartphone. The new mobile app provides real time information to residents, including everything from recycling details to traffic alerts. The formation of a Grant Committee has helped to secure millions in Town funding and also provides grant partnerships to local non-profit groups. Most importantly, Supervisor Wehrheim has devoted office hours on a daily basis to speaking with civic groups, chambers, businesses and his fellow neighbors… His first question is always, how can we help? His open door policy has made this continuous dialogue with the people of Smithtown, a government that truly belongs to its residents.
Experience
Supervisor Ed Wehrheim was born and raised in the Smithtown Hamlet of Kings Park. The decorated Vietnam Veteran, honorably served two tours in Vietnam, in the US Navy, where he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. After serving his Country, Wehrheim devoted his entire career to the Town of Smithtown, working his way up the ladder starting off as a laborer, through the ranks to Director of Parks, Buildings & Grounds, where he remained until being appointed to Town Council.
Supervisor Wehrheim has 40 years of government experience. He began employment with the Smithtown Department of Parks, Buildings and Grounds in 1972. He was appointed as director of the department in 1989 and remained department director until his retirement in 2003. During his tenure, Ed Wehrheim was proud to have Smithtown’s recreational facilities labeled as some of the finest facilities in the State of New York.
With an intimate knowledge of every department, municipal law/code and town zoning etc, Supervisor Wehrheim has eclipsed all others by comparison. He is revered for restoring several historical properties, which include Caleb Smith House, Franklin Arthur Property and the Mills Pond House.
Wehrheim also supervised the reconstruction of the Town Marina Facility, utilizing the marina fees to pay for the improvements. He Secured the Smith Haven Mall redevelopment project, which generates an estimated $1.1 million additional tax per year. He ended a 14 year deadlock on the N.Y.S. Armory Development, creating Neighborhood Park and village green for the Town of Smithtown and transferred the armory building site to the Library District to construct a new branch.
Accomplishments
Smith Haven Mall Redevelopment: Initiated negotiations with Simon Properties for development of Smith Haven Mall site generating additional tax revenues projected at $1.1 million per year.
Smithtown Town Hall Elevator Addition: Supervised construction of ADA compliant elevator at Smithtown Town Hall.
Restoration of Smithtown Historical Sites
Caleb Smith House, Smithtown
Franklin Arthur Property, Smithtown
Mills Pond House, St. James
N.Y.S. Armory Development
Ended 14 year deadlock on property development.
Development of Neighborhood Park and village green by Town of Smithtown.
Transfer of armory building site to Library District for construction of new library.
Roger Balducci Marina Facility – Long Beach
Supported and supervised the reconstruction of the Town Marina Facility.
Improvements paid for by marina fees.
Economic Development
Bob’s Furniture and Pet Smart – Smithtown
Home Depot, Walmart and Kohl’s – Commack
Super ShopRite – Commack
Whisper Vineyards- Smithtown
Downtown Business Revitalization
Commuter / Railroad Parking Facility renovations Kings Park, Smithtown, St. James
Construction of Savatt Square Plaza Main Street, Kings Park
Increased safety measures Main Street, Smithtown
Family
Ed Wehrheim is a lifelong Smithtown resident born and raised in Kings Park. Ed and his wife, Diana, have two daughters, Kellie and Michelle. Supervisor Wehrheim is a graduate of Kings Park High School and a graduate of United State Navy Airframes / Structural Mechanic Service School-Millington, Tennessee. A veteran in the United States Navy, Supervisor Wehrheim was honorably discharged after two tours of duty in Vietnam 1968 to 1971.
Supervisor Wehrheim is dedicated to the Smithtown Community as a Trustee of the Kings Park Education Foundation and a member of numerous local organizations including the Smithtown Sunrise Rotary, The Smithtown Historical Society and the Smithtown BPO Elks Lodge.
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Virtual Event: Ray Tierney - Republican Conservative Candidate for Suffolk County District Attorney
2021-09-24 09:00 - 10:00
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Ray Tierney is a Republican Conservative Candidate for Suffolk County District Attorney.
Ray’s Plan to Bring Integrity and Combat Rising Violent Crimes
Having prosecuted thousands of cases in his 26-year career, Ray will bring integrity and experience to the DA’s Office to stem the rise in violent crimes to keep our residents and streets safe from violent gang members, drug dealers and sex traffickers.

Have zero tolerance for bail and parole violators. He will work to repeal New York’s failed bail reform.
Re-establish the DA’s Gang Unit and Suffolk’s Gang Task Force.
Expand the DA’s White Collar Crime Bureau to combat identity theft and cybercrimes.
With a reputation for non-partisanship, Ray will bring integrity to the DA’s Office that has been plagued for decades by politically motivated prosecutions.

Suﬀolk County Assistant District Attorney
Raymond A. Tierney graduated from Brown University in 1988, and St. John’s University Law School in 1992. He worked for 14 years as an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County. During his career in Suffolk, he investigated and prosecuted cases involving organized crime, street gangs, murders, and other violent street crimes. He also investigated political corruption, domestic violence, child abuse, and child pornography. These prosecutions included long-term investigations in which he supervised the efforts of designated teams of detectives utilizing wiretaps, search warrants, and grand jury investigations in order to uncover criminal activity and bring those responsible to justice.
While at the D.A.’s office he prosecuted Austen Offen and Constantine Chronis for the beating of Shane Daniels outside a Hamptons nightclub in 1996. Offen beat the victim into a coma with the car security device known as the “Club” while Chronis, an active NYPD officer, held the crowd back with his service revolver.

Assistant United States Attorney
In 2008, he joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. While there, he oversaw complex criminal investigations and prosecuted violations of federal criminal law, including cases involving the Colombian Norte del Valle cartel responsible for importing over 50 tons of cocaine into the United States.
He also was responsible for prosecuting international white-collar cases such as a case against a call center in India utilized to contact and swindle millions of dollars from U.S. citizens in so-called “IRS Payment” scams.
Much of his time in the U.S. Attorney’s Office was devoted to the trial and conviction of numerous members of the MS-13 street gang for the commission of murders and other violent crimes on Long Island. He drafted and applied for search and arrest warrants, presented evidence to federal grand juries, prepared and ﬁled indictments, engaged in pretrial discovery, litigated pretrial matters by motion and pretrial hearings, and conducted jury trials and sentencing hearings putting hundreds of dangerous MS-13 members behind bars.
Among the cases Ray participated in were the trials of Brentwood MS-13 leader Heriberto Martinez and Carlos Ortega, who together were responsible for the commission of ﬁve murders over a ﬁve-week period in 2010. This included the murders of 19-year-old Vanessa Argueta and her two-year-old son Diego Torres in Central Islip.
Both defendants were convicted of all counts in the indictment and are currently serving life sentences. Ray later tried MS-13 member Adalberto Guzman for shooting two-year-old Diego. Thanks to Ray and his team, Guzman is serving a life sentence. These ﬁve murders, in three separate counties, remained unsolved until federal authorities assumed prosecution of the cases.
Ray also met and coordinated with Department of Justice officials regarding long-term international criminal prosecutions, and advised the United States Attorney General and President on the status of MS-13 prosecutions nationwide. His work was recognized by the president during the State of the Union address in 2018.
After the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he went to the Kings County District Attorney’s Office to run its Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, Crime Strategies Unit and Body-Worn Camera Unit.

Brooklyn Executive Assistant District Attorney
While in Brooklyn, he oversaw all aspects of long-term violent street gang investigations and prosecutions in the office and worked with the NYPD and federal partners on developing investigations to seize guns, prosecute gang murders, and allocate resources to dismantle the many criminal street gangs causing most of the violence in Brooklyn.
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Virtual Event: Timothy Sini - Suffolk County District Attorney
2021-10-08 09:00 - 10:00 | https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtdeygrjMuGdWhr6jgRR0w5Z31_f5jAg36
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Timothy D. Sini was elected as the Suffolk County District Attorney on November 7, 2017 and assumed office on January 1, 2018. District Attorney Sini immediately began a comprehensive review of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office with the objectives of creating a culture of excellence, professionalism and ethical conduct, while launching cutting edge, 21st Century strategies to address the public safety issues of our time. District Attorney Sini is committed to creating a culture of compliance with the highest ethical standards, including creating the first ever Conviction Integrity Bureau in Suffolk County, investing in new training programs for prosecutors and instituting smart prosecutions through the robust collection and analysis of data. The overall mission is to make the Office the best it can be, seek justice in each and every case, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of the great residents of Suffolk County.
To this end, thus far, District Attorney Sini has made over 250 personnel decisions, recruited top talent at all levels to the Office, overhauled the Office’s training program, implemented smart criminal justice policies, created new Bureaus to address the public safety issues of our time, and dramatically increased the Office’s productivity. District Attorney Sini, as promised during this campaign, has focused the Office on aggressively addressing the drug epidemic, eradicating violent street gangs such as MS-13, combating the scourge of illegal dumping and other environmental crimes that threaten our environment and public health, effectively confronting human trafficking, and holding public officials accountable for their misdeeds. The results speak for themselves:

the Office has launched a record number of large-scale investigations and prosecutions of high-level drug traffickers and violent gang members, with a focus on utilizing advanced technology to initiate and enhance strategic prosecutions, all with the objective of reducing crime in Suffolk County and the region; crime levels in Suffolk County have been reduced to record lows;
the Office has created new diversion programs to encourage and facilitate defendants to accept treatment for their substance use disorder, including the C.A.R.E. program and DOORS program;
the Office created a Gang Unit designed to exclusively investigate and prosecute gang members, such as MS-13, which is staffed with specially trained prosecutors and investigators;
the Office has formed new partnerships with federal law enforcement to effectively target drug dealers and gang members operating in Suffolk County and beyond;
the Office brought the largest ever illegal dumping case in New York State’s history and convened a Special Grand Jury, which issued a report regarding how to more effectively prevent and prosecute environmental crime in Suffolk County. Several of the recommendations were adopted by the New York State Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2020;
the Office created a dedicated team of professionals consisting of prosecutors, law enforcement, social workers, healthcare professionals, and not-for-profits to protect girls and women from human trafficking and bring justice to their perpetrators, which has resulted in a dramatic increase in human trafficking prosecutions;
In collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, indicted 11 union officials on racketeering, fraud, and bribery offenses for allegedly accepting bribes to corruptly influence the construction industry in New York;
the Office created a cutting-edge Conviction Integrity Bureau to ensure that no defendant is or has been wrongfully convicted. In 2019, the Bureau launched an investigation resulting in the exoneration of an individual who spent 33 years in prison for a murder he did not commit;
the Office has implemented a vertical prosecution model to create a better work product for the community, victims and defendants;
the Office is taking steps to become entirely paperless, including the implementation of digital case management and evidence management systems;
the Office has implemented a new Voluntary Disclosure Policy designed to ensure compliance with all of our legal and ethical obligations, remove gamesmanship from the criminal justice system, and further our mission of seeking the truth through a fair and just process; and
the Office has partnered with the National Guard to create a Crime Strategies Unit to collect, analyze and disseminate criminal intelligence to strategically target individuals who are driving crime, with the objective of enhancing public safety in Suffolk County.

Much has been accomplished already, but it is only the beginning.
Prior to District Attorney Sini’s election, he served as the 13th Commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department, which is the 11th largest police department in the nation. As Police Commissioner, District Attorney Sini restored integrity to the leadership of the Police Department, reduced crime to the lowest level in recorded history, improved community relations, and enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department through improving processes and investing in technology.
As Police Commissioner, District Attorney Sini enhanced the Department’s intelligence-led policing model and made collaborating with the Department’s law enforcement and community partners a cornerstone of his administration. During Sini’s tenure as Police Commissioner, crime was reduced to historic levels, with violent crime decreasing more than 15% and overall crime decreasing over 12%. District Attorney Sini brought the fight against the violent street gang MS-13 to the national stage by making it a top priority of the Department. Through a multi-pronged strategy, the Suffolk County Police Department made well over 300 arrests of MS-13 gang members in just over one year and launched innovative community intervention strategies to prevent vulnerable children from becoming involved with gangs. District Attorney Sini testified before the United States Senate and House of Representatives regarding MS-13 and successfully lobbied the Department of Justice for additional resources to combat MS-13 in Suffolk County, including a $500,000 grant, which was awarded after President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions visited Suffolk County on two separate occasions. District Attorney Sini also launched several new community intervention programs, including the innovative Preventing Incarceration Via Opportunities for Treatment (PIVOT) Program, an alternative to arrest program whereby the Suffolk County Police Department connects those suffering from drug addiction to treatment.
District Attorney Sini also made homeland security a top priority, launching a number of initiatives including the SCPD Shield Program, a private public partnership to decrease Suffolk County’s vulnerability to terrorism, active shooter scenarios and street crime. District Attorney Sini also rolled out new technology to enhance the Department’s capabilities in fighting crime, including a new, award-winning intelligence-led policing platform. In addition, District Attorney Sini launched a number of initiatives to increase the efficiency of the patrol division, allowing officers to spend more time engaged in proactive police work and community policing, and significantly reformed the Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau, making it more accountable and responsive to community concerns.
District Attorney Sini serves as a representative on the White House’s Office of Drug Control Policy New York/New Jersey Regional HIDTA Team, where he assists in creating strategies between public health and public safety agencies to reduce opioid overdoses in the region. District Attorney Sini is also the Chairman of the Suffolk County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, which consists of all the stakeholders in Suffolk County’s criminal justice system.
District Attorney Sini is a graduate of the FBI’s National Executive Institute, an elite training program for law enforcement’s national leaders, and a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Education program. He is also an adjunct professor at Touro Law Center where he teaches a course on contemporary issues in policing and prosecution and a course on criminal law.
Prior to his appointment as Police Commissioner, District Attorney Sini served as the Assistant Deputy County Executive for Public Safety in the administration of Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone. In this role, he spearheaded numerous public safety initiatives, including an innovative drug treatment program targeting Suffolk County inmates and releasees, as well as an evidence-based gang prevention program targeting children as early as the third grade. Both programs received National Association of Counties (NACo) awards. He also led the effort, in collaboration with the Suffolk County Sheriff, to lift the unfunded state mandate to build a third jail in Suffolk County by developing a plan to further invest in alternative to arrest programs.
District Attorney Sini started his career in law enforcement as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York where he served under U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. District Attorney Sini specialized in investigating and prosecuting violent crimes, including homicides, gang related activity and large scale narcotics cases. As a federal prosecutor, he prosecuted hundreds of violent gang members, hitmen, drug traffickers, corrupt doctors and pharmacists, and much more. Prior to serving as an Assistant United States Attorney, District Attorney Sini practiced law in the private sector and served as a law clerk for the Honorable William C. Conner, a federal district court judge in the Southern District of New York, and the Honorable Chester J. Straub, a federal appeals court judge in the Second Circuit.
Sini is a magna cum laude graduate of both Brooklyn Law School where he earned his Juris Doctor and American University in Washington, D.C. where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in Justice. He resides in Babylon Village with his wife, Amanda, and their three children.

Virtual Event: Dr. John Nader, President, Farmingdale State College
2021-10-22 09:00 - 10:00 | https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkde-srDIqHtwaYJSYRkGemgKY7SVIXhCf
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This meeting will be co-hosted by Dr. Julie Lutz, COO of Eastern Suffolk Boces.
Since his tenure began in July 2018, Dr. Nader has promoted his Powered by Optimism message across the campus and in meetings with civic, business and institutional leaders to enhance the profile of Farmingdale State College as a vibrant campus vital to the future of Long Island. Dr. Nader has also focused on the development of new programs, building partnerships with private industries and community colleges, advancing applied learning opportunities, and expanding student scholarships.
Dr. Lutz has been a leader at Eastern Suffolk BOCES since 1990, and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2014.

Virtual Meeting: Chuck Samul, Director of Sales and Marketing, New York & Atlantic Railway
2022-01-07 09:00 - 10:00
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Charles “Chuck” Samul joined the New York & Atlantic Railway in July 2014 as Manager Marketing Projects and was appointed Director Sales and Marketing in 2018. He began his railroad career in 1978 with Conrail, as a produce inspector at the Hunts Point Terminal Market. He held positions in a variety of departments at Conrail: risk management, claims, industrial development, eventually ending up at the corporate headquarters in Philadelphia working in marketing, real estate and line sales.
At Norfolk Southern he worked in the real estate department and served as liaison for all property transactions in New Jersey, New York and Detroit. Taking a break from the rail industry he spent 5 years working in fine wine, 5 years working in public finance for the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York and 2 years in graduate school, before being lured back by the sweet perfume of diesel fuel to the New York & Atlantic Railway.
Chuck holds a BS from Cornell University in Agronomy and an MS from Columbia University in Sustainability Management. When not engaged in new business development for NY&A, he enjoys kayaking, hiking, cooking and reading about (and drinking) wine. He and his wife Pam have an adult daughter and a very energetic Vizsla.

Virtual Meeting: Suffolk County Health Commissioner, Dr. Gregson H. Pigott
2022-01-21 09:00 - 22:00 | zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAod-GqqDguHd1RzpES4SELi6Wqv2Dgp2e6
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Gregson H. Pigott, MD, MPH is the Commissioner of Health for Suffolk County as of February 28, 2020. He has served as Director of the Office of Minority Health (OMH) in the Suffolk County Department of Health Services in Long Island, NY since June 2009. Dr. Pigott has also served as the Medical Director for Suffolk County Emergency Medical Services and as a physician in the Huntington methadone treatment program, providing the most widely known medication assisted treatment to County residents suffering with opioid use disorder. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, and grew up in Valley Stream, Long Island. He holds a BA from Brown University, a MD from Brown University Medical School, and a MPH from Harvard School of Public Health. He completed his residency training in Internal Medicine at the Cambridge Hospital in 1997. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, and is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Preventive Medicine at Stony Brook University. He has worked as a primary care internist and attending physician in community health centers in Brownsville, Brooklyn and Cambridge, Massachusetts, caring mainly for the underserved.
Dr. Pigott is fluent in Spanish and is an accomplished Gospel and jazz musician. He continues to be passionate about improving the health of minorities.

This meeting will be moderated by Lisa Kerr, VP Global Risk Management and Business Continuity, Hernry Schein Risk Management

Virtual Meeting: New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele
2022-02-04 09:00 - 10:00 | https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArcuGhpj8jEtXydn2vIy9IVl3hsJqKHsCq
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Fred W. Thiele, Jr. was born on August 26, 1953 and is a lifelong resident of Sag Harbor, New York where he currently lives with his wife NancyLynn. He has three children, (Michael, Jeffrey and Josephine) and three grandchildren. Mr. Thiele is a 1971 graduate of Pierson High School. He attended Cornell University and is a 1976 graduate of Southampton College of Long Island University. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in Political Science and History. In 1979, he received his law degree from Albany Law School. In 1980, he was admitted to the Bar in the State of New York.
Mr. Thiele began his career in government service in 1975 after he was selected by his college to participate in the New York State Assembly Intern Program. Upon graduation from law school in 1979, Mr. Thiele became counsel to then-Assemblyman John Behan of Montauk. He served in that capacity until 1982.
From 1982–1987, Mr. Thiele was Southampton Town Attorney. During his tenure as Town Attorney he was the town’s chief legal officer and was involved in the implementation of open space and environmental zoning and land preservation programs.
In November 1987, Mr. Thiele was elected to the Suffolk County Legislature. As a Legislator, Mr. Thiele chaired the Energy and Environment Committee and enacted legislation that nominated Peconic Bay and Gardiners Bay for the National Estuary Program.
In November 1991, Mr. Thiele was elected as an Independent to serve as Southampton Town Supervisor. Under his leadership, the Town decreased taxes for three consecutive years, bringing much needed stability to the Town’s finances. He enacted a number of important initiatives including open space preservation, affordable housing, environmental protection, comprehensive long-term planning, economic development and government reform.
In 1995, Mr. Thiele was elected to the New York State Assembly to fill the seat vacated by Assemblyman John Behan. The district includes the Town of East Hampton, the Town of Southampton, the Town of Shelter Island, and the southeastern portion of the Town of Brookhaven.
Mr. Thiele is serving his 13th term in the New York State Assembly. Assemblyman Thiele has numerous accomplishments as a State Assemblyman. He authored legislation which created the Peconic Bay Community Preservation Fund Act (CPF). This groundbreaking legislation authorized the five towns in the Peconic Region to establish dedicated funds, financed by a 2% real estate transfer tax for land preservation and water quality protection. Since its enactment 20 years ago by public referendum, the fund as generated more than $1.4 billion and has resulted in the preservation of more than 10,000 acres of sensitive lands.
Other environmental initiatives have included state funds for improving water quality, Peconic Bay and South Shore Estuary projects, farmland preservation, and state acquisition of critical environmental parcels.
Mr. Thiele has also been very involved in transportation issues including the establishment of the South Fork Commuter Connection, the region’s first multi-modal commuter system providing an alternative to traffic congestion.
Mr. Thiele has also focused on affordable housing. During the 2019 Session, the Legislature passed his bill to permit the Peconic Bay region towns to establish Community Housing Funds, which would provide up to $20 million annually to provide financial assistance and new housing opportunities for local residents.
Mr. Thiele continues his efforts to insure fiscal responsibility at all levels of government. He has supported successful initiatives to reduce income taxes and was an original proponent of the STAR program to reduce school taxes.
Mr. Thiele is the Chairman of the Assembly Local Governments Committee and serves as a member of the Rules Committee, Environmental Conservation Committee, Oversight, Analysis and Investigation Committee, and Transportation Committee.

Virtual Meeting: Celebrating Black History Month - Steve DePass, Entertainer, Songwriter and Cultural Ambassador for the JFK administration
2022-02-25 09:00 - 10:00 | https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqfu6orDMtGdGGwQJINa0_adBLZdjCROqH
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Mr. DePass will discuss his experiences with President Kennedy, President Johnson, and New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller. These public officials helped shape the changes made during the civil rights movement. DePass was their go-to guy in establishing relationships with Dr. King and other leaders of the Day.
Steve Depass has a very engaging way of storytelling that will inform and entertain at the same time. Please join us.

Virtual Meeting: Public Education on Long Island: Shifting Demographics, Costs & Outcomes. Why it Matters? Julie Lutz, Ph.D. COO, Eastern Suffolk BOCES
2022-03-11 09:00 - 10:00 | https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkce2rrzgsEtL8Rjyfq6-g6xBHGX5Bgka4
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A 32-year veteran of ESBOCES, Dr. Lutz is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of the agency. She is also the chairperson of the Legislative Committee of the Suffolk County School Superintendents Association, and is a member of the Long Island Education Coalition where she works to advocate for public education on Long Island. She is also very involved in policy research and development. A staunch advocate for data driven, effective practices for maximizing student outcomes, Dr. Lutz completed her administrative training at Stony Brook University. She has a Ph.D. from Hofstra University and earned both her Master and Bachelor of Science Degrees from SUNY Oswego.

Virtual Meeting: Anti-Defamation League of NY/NJ Director, Scott Richman
2022-05-20 09:00 - 10:00
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Scott Richman serves as the Director for ADL’s largest regional office covering New York and New Jersey. He oversees the work of the region, which includes incident response, anti-bias education, legislative initiatives, educational programs, fundraising and leadership development – all designed to fight antisemitism and combat hate in all its forms. This is reflected in his weekly national podcast called “From the Frontlines.” He is an experienced advocate dedicated to developing community partnerships and initiatives that provide justice, equality and fair treatment for all.
Richman comes to ADL from the American Jewish Committee (AJC) where he served as Regional Director for Westchester (NY) and Fairfield (CT) Counties. In that role, he was responsible for directing the day-to-day operations of this top regional office dedicated to advocacy on key issues impacting the American Jewish community.
He came to AJC as an experienced Jewish professional, having served for 10 years at the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) aiding the rebirth of Jewish life in the Former Soviet Union, and three years as the founding Director of Dor Chadash, a non-profit startup which engaged young professionals in the New York area.
Richman was a practicing attorney and investment banker before becoming a Jewish professional. He worked at a firm specializing in international law and in public finance at Merrill Lynch. He received his undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, and he earned his law degree from Brooklyn Law School. Scott subsequently completed an executive certificate program at Columbia University’s Business School in nonprofit management.
Scott is married with two grown children and lives in Westchester County.
