Kevin S. Law Named New LIA President

The Long Island Association, the region’s largest and most influential business and civic organization, today announced the appointment of Kevin S. Law as its next President. Mr. Law, who currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Long Island Power Authority, is expected to assume his new role on September 1, 2010.

Mr. Law, who has held a range of key executive positions in the public and private sectors, including in state and county government and law practice, has agreed to lead the 5,000-member organization, which represents business, labor, education, government, not-for-profits, chambers of commerce, civic organizations and others from across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

“The LIA Board is pleased to offer this position to Kevin, who is a respected and effective leader on Long Island, and who we are confident will be a strong advocate in Albany and Washington for the interests of this region,” said Kirk Kordeleski, Chairperson of the LIA President Search Committee and President and CEO of Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “There were numerous outstanding candidates for the position and we want to thank each of them for their interest in supporting the LIA.”

The selection of Mr. Law concludes a six-month process in which dozens of candidates were reviewed and/or interviewed by the selection committee. On Wednesday (May 12) morning, Mr. Law was approved in a unanimous vote by the full LIA Board.

“Mr. Law has demonstrated that he is a consensus builder, problem solver and innovator who will be a vigorous voice on the many issues that confront Long Island,” said Brian Cullen, Chairman of the Long Island Association Board of Directors and Co-President of King Kullen Grocery Co. “I want to commend Kirk Kordeleski and his committee for conducting a thorough, fair review of candidates and making what obviously was a difficult decision given the number of excellent candidates with whom we spoke.”

Reacting to Mr. Law’s appointment, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said: “Today’s announcement is great news for not only the members of the Long Island Association, but for all Long Island communities. Kevin Law’s experience, dedication and leadership will no doubt bring the LIA into a new era of advocacy and economic revitalization. I look forward to continuing to working with Kevin to ensure Long Island gets its fair share of attention and assistance.”

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy said: “At a time when Long Island needs a strong voice for its business community, Kevin Law fits the bill. He is a proven and tested leader and a consensus builder."

Mr. Law’s career has included highly visible executive positions in both the public and private sectors. Named as LIPA’s President and CEO in 2007, Mr. Law is in charge of the nation’s second largest public utility, with an operating budget of $4 billion. Previously, as Suffolk County Chief Deputy County Executive and General Counsel, he oversaw all county departments, consisting of 12,000 employees and a $2.7 billion budget. Prior to that, he served as Managing Partner for the Long Island office of Nixon Peabody LLP, a national law firm with more than 800 attorneys, where he served from 1992 to 2004.

The Long Island Association (LIA) is the region’s largest and most influential business and civic organization. With more than 5,000 members and a 57-member board of directors, the LIA is the voice of Long Island. Created over 80 years ago, the LIA brings together business, labor, education, government, not-for-profits, chambers of commerce and civic organizations working to make Long Island an even better place to live, work, raise a family, and do business. For more information on the LIA, visit: www.liaonline.org.