By GREGORY ZELLER //
An old friend has been named the Long Island Association’s new leader.
Matthew Cohen, a former government relations executive director for the Long Island Power Authority and 10-year LIA veteran, has taken the reins of the busy business and networking organization. He succeeds longtime LIA President and CEO Kevin Law, who stepped down earlier this year to become a partner and executive vice president at East Setauket-based Tritec Real Estate Development.
Law remains co-chairman of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, but Cohen is now calling the shots at the LIA, a 95-year-old business and networking organization self-billed as Long Island’s largest.
The association’s success over the last decade is due in large part to its new president, who’s already logged 10 years as the LIA’s vice president of government affairs and communications. In that role, Cohen was a vocal and influential lobbyist for the group’s progressive agenda, helping to win billions of dollars in government economic-development funding – earmarked for Long Island transportation and infrastructure projects – and leading a heavy, ultimately successful push for a state property-tax cap.
Larry Waldman: Cohen the clear choice.
His ascension to president and chief executive follows “an extensive search that resulted in many strong applicants,” noted the association, which ultimately didn’t have to look far to find its new champion, according to LIA Chairman Larry Waldman.
“Matt Cohen’s vision to maintain the LIA’s leadership role, his broad background and experience, and his commitment to Long Island made him the clear choice for the position at this critical juncture,” Waldman said in a statement. “Over the last decade at the LIA, he has proven his commitment to growing our region’s economic health.”
Before joining the LIA, Cohen helped secure millions of dollars in federal funding for alternative-energy efforts – including multiple projects focused on wind- and solar-generated electricity – and also logged time as Long Island director for U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), along with stints in Suffolk County government.
Now, as Law’s successor, the Northport resident, graduate of Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Dean School of Law and lifelong Long Islander – who occupies board seats with Discover Long Island, the Child Care Council of Suffolk and other regional advocacy groups – looks forward to “continuing my work” alongside LIA staffers and directors.
Topping his presidential agenda: a renewed focus on small-business outreach, better use of technology to benefit LIA members and some serious lobbying for a new federal infrastructure package for the Long Island region.
“When businesses on Long Island are successful, every Long Islander benefits,” Cohen said Wednesday. “The LIA will continue to be a tireless advocate for the region’s small, mid-sized and large businesses in this post-COVID climate.”
