Sup. Lesko Names Jim Morgo to TOB Staff

Supervisor Mark Lesko announced that beginning January 25, 2010, Jim Morgo will serve as a part-time economic development coordinator for the Town of Brookhaven. Morgo's charge is to ease the process for job-creating businesses that are looking to expand their existing business or create a new business in Brookhaven Town.

"The appointment of Jim Morgo sends a clear message that Brookhaven is 'open for business.' With his expertise in the economic development field and his interpersonal skills, I am proud to have him on our team," said the Supervisor. "Too often businesses interested in locating or expanding faced a maze of regulations, and frequently did not know where to focus or begin to benefit from many of the incentives that have been created to attract and retain them. Starting today that will change!" Lesko continued.

Jim Morgo was Suffolk County's Chief Deputy County Executive until April 2009, serving as "second in command" for the ninth largest County in the United States with a population of 1.5 million people. As Chief Deputy, Morgo had direct oversight of all county departments, more than 12,000 employees and a $2.6 billion budget. He came to the County as its first Commissioner of Economic Development and Workforce Housing in September, 2004. Among his many notable accomplishments was his key role in attracting the imaging giant Canon USA, with its 2,000 high-paying jobs to Suffolk County, facilitating the expansion of Uncle Wally's Muffins in Brookhaven Town, and bringing the County's airport into the black for the first time in its history.

In addition, Morgo served as the Long Island Housing Partnership's first President and Chief Executive Officer for nearly seventeen years. Under Morgo's direction the Housing Partnership grew both in size and reputation, and today is the region's preeminent housing organization and one of the most well respected suburban housing groups in the nation.

Mr. Morgo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College, a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University and a professional certificate from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.