Farmingville, NY - December 30, 2005 - Supervisor-Elect Brian X. Foley today announced the appointments of his leadership team, who will bring experience from all levels of government service. Jack Schnirman was appointed Deputy Supervisory and Lori Baldassare as Chief of Staff. Complimenting these appointments to the senior staff are Susan Henke-Brinkman as Deputy Chief of Staff and Mark J. Grossman as Director of Intergovernmental Relations, a position created at the recommendation of the Economic Development Transition Working Group. Each brings unique experiences from the private sector, non-profits, civic organizations, and all levels of government – federal, state, county, and town - to the mission of nurturing and enforcing a culture of competence as the Foley creates open, honest, responsive government.
Jack Schnirman brings years of policy and communications experience in national government to his role as Deputy Supervisor. Jack’s management experience was earned as a founding executive of United Leaders, a national non-profit grassroots organization committed to inspiring a new generation of young leaders to lives in public service. He previously served as Deputy Press Secretary for Senator John Kerry, a press officer for the National Environmental Trust, and a Legislative Correspondent for Senator Frank Lautenberg.
Jack received a Masters degree in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, concentrating in Leadership and Political Advocacy. His BA is from Tufts University.
Lori Baldassare brings stellar credentials as a civic leader and government administrator. She has already begun to modernize and professionalize Brookhaven Town government with her work as Superintendent John Rouse’s assistant in the Highway Department.
Lori has been a dedicated civic leader, having served as President of the Mt. Sinai Civic Association and the Affiliated Brookhaven Civic Organization. As a community leader and past President of ABCO, Lori led the fight for the creation of council district representation. She currently serves as President and founding director of the Heritage Trust, a non-profit community land trust whose mission is to preserve and enhance Brookhaven communities.
Lori brings a sense of private sector efficiency and business mentality, having previously worked in the banking industry for over 15 years as a systems analyst and training director. Lori earned a BBA degree from Hofstra University in Finance and a Masters Degree in Education from Adelphi University.
Susan Henke-Brinkman has years of legislative experience, serving as Chief of Staff to Supervisor Foley in his capacity as Suffolk County Legislator for 10 years. She previously worked as legislative aide to Assemblyman I. William Bianchi. Susan will serve as a vital link between the community, the Town Board, and the Office of Supervisor.
Susan has extensive experience in community leadership and advocacy, having served for 10 years on the Patchogue Zoning Board of Appeals, past President of the Patchogue Historical Society, and Director of the Great South Bay Lions Club.
Susan was also appointed by then Presiding Officer Paul Tonna to serve as a member of the Suffolk County Reapportionment Committee in 2001 due to her extensive knowledge of Brookhaven Town.
Susan has a Masters in Library and Information Services from CW Post and her undergraduate degree from the University of Scranton.
Mark J. Grossman brings twenty-five years of government, private sector, and not-for-profit experience to the position of Director of Intergovernmental Relations.
As former New York Governor Mario Cuomo’s Long Island Director, Mark built a strong reputation as a proactive government relations representative and exceptional problem-solver is his role as “state ombudsman” for Nassau and Suffolk counties. Mark also worked as a key aide to former presiding officer Sondra Bachety and former county executive Patrick Halpin.
Since then, Mark has built a successful government and public affairs business, Grossman Strategies, that works closely with not-for-profits, trade associations, private industry, and organized labor. As part of his work, Mark serves as executive director of the Suffolk County Village Officials Association, the organization that represents the county’s 32 incorporated villages.
Mark is in his second term on the South Country School District board of education, where he played a lead role in helping to secure state legislative grants worth more than $2 million during his first three years in office. He also led the fight for the district to qualify for “tax limitation aid,” a state aid category that the district missed by a fraction of a percentage point. Mark’s persistent advocacy meant an additional $500,000 in aid for the 2003-2004 school year.
Mark has his graduate degree from the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury and undergraduate degree from School of Visual Arts in New York City.
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Kara Hahn, Public Information Officer
631-451-6260
516-639-3788