Kelly Murphy named executive director, CEO of Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency

Kelly Murphy has been appointed executive director and CEO of the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency, her employer since 2015.

Murphy’s promotion comes one year after she was named acting executive director upon the retirement of Anthony J. Catapano. He had worked for the IDA for nearly 40 years.

The agency’s board of directors unanimously approved Murphy’s appointment last week in a resolution put forward by board members X. Cristofer Damianos, a developer, and Joshua Slaughter, a union official. She will be paid $180,000 per year, according to the resolution.

Murphy, 65, of Huntington, thanked the IDA board “for allowing me to continue to serve in a job that I absolutely love.”

Later, she told Newsday, “I look forward to tackling new challenges and supporting [building] projects that increase both job opportunities and our tax base for the betterment of the county and its residents.”

The IDA provides tax breaks to expanding businesses. A sister agency, the Suffolk County Economic Development Corp., which Murphy also will lead, provides tax-exempt bond financing for hospitals and other nonprofits.

Since Murphy joined the IDA in January 2015 as deputy executive director, the agency has closed 107 transactions that led to the creation and retention of 7,300 jobs in Suffolk and more than $1.4 billion in investments by companies.

She also oversaw 15 IDA-paid-for studies by economic development experts of local downtowns and the opportunity to construct housing and stores near Long Island Rail Road stations and walkable neighborhoods.

Previously, Murphy spent about a decade working for the City of Glen Cove, including more than five years as head of that city’s IDA and Community Development Agency. In that capacity, she worked on the Garvies Point development, which cleaned up 214 acres of polluted land and brought housing and shops to the city's waterfront in a project valued at $1 billion.

Murphy serves on Suffolk’s Workforce Development Board and the board of the HIA-LI, formerly called the Hauppauge Industrial Association.  

Sarah Lansdale, IDA chairwoman and Suffolk’s economic development and planning commissioner, said Murphy's "proven track record, innovative approach and unwavering commitment make her the ideal choice to lead the Suffolk County IDA.” 

By James T. Madore

james.madore@newsday.comJamesTMadore

James T. Madore writes about Long Island business news including the economy, development, and the relationship between government and business. He previously served as Albany bureau chief.