Mark J. Grossman, Special Assistant for Intergovernmental Relations
The diversity and depth of Mark J. Grossman’s experience in the public and private sectors uniquely positions him as Supervisor Foley’s Special Assistant for Intergovernment Relations. In this post, Mark will serve as a key liaison between the town and other levels of government, as well as organized labor, private industry, and community-based organizations.
Mark made a name for himself as former New York Governor Mario Cuomo's Regional Director and Ombudsman on Long Island. For nearly six years, he served as the governor's liaison with local governments, civic groups, educational institutions, and the business community. Mark also ran a busy constituent service unit, helping to untangle thousands from the bureaucratic web of government, in addition to mediating and resolving consumer complaints.
Prior to his gubernatorial appointment, Mark spent a year in county government as an aide to former Presiding Officer Sondra Bachety and as an assistant to former County Executive Patrick Halpin. He spent eight years in the private sector in various positions in television, advertising, and corporate communications.
Mark has also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at New York Institute of Technology in the Communication Arts and Advertising Degree Programs. There he developed a course titled "Media and Politics," in addition to teaching "Broadcast Advertising" and "Media Production Workshop."
Since 1995, Mark has been principal of Grossman Strategies, a highly-successful government and public relations consulting firm based in Bohemia. The firm serves private industry, the education community, organized labor, and the not-for-profit sector with publicity, government relations, and issue advocacy services. Large national and regional corporations such as Duke Energy, Pathmark Stores, Publishers Clearing House, Cingular Wireless, and Sprint PCS have retained Grossman Strategies because of the firm’s unique understanding of the bi-county region’s complex issues. It’s that kind of success that resulted in the firm being named “Small Business of the Year” by the Long Island Association in 2003.
The Suffolk County Village Officials Association tapped Mark as its Executive Director in 1997. In that role, he coordinates the day-to-day activities of the organization that represents Suffolk’s 32 incorporated villages. Mark has been credited with increasing the profile and professionalism of the association.
Mark J. Grossman has been the recipient of numerous awards and commendations including a “Telly” award in 2000 for a breast health educational video he produced for the Women’s Health Partnership of Suffolk County. A 1993 radio spot Mark produced was recognized with a "Pollie" award, a national competition sponsored by the American Association of Political Consultants.
Mark has also received awards and commendations from the National and New York State Schools Public Relations Associations, the Suffolk County Motion Picture & Television Commission, the Press Club of Long Island, and the New York State Council on the Arts.
A former member of the South Country School District Board of Education, Mark chaired the Government Affairs and Nutrition committees. His strong advocacy efforts with the state legislature resulted in millions in additional aid during his tenure.
Mark is also a member of the Advisory Council of the Suffolk County affiliate of Literacy Volunteers of America, where he served as Board President for four years. He also served as a founding board member of the Long Island Film & TV Foundation, an organization which helps promote the movie-making and television production industry on Long Island.
Mark holds a Master of the Arts degree in Communications Arts from New York Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.
Mark and his wife, Lisa, live in East Patchogue with their children. They are members of the Mastic Beach Hebrew Center, where Mark is a teacher at the temple’s Religious School.