Lansdale tapped to lead Suffolk County's economic development, planning efforts

Sarah Lansdale has been named Suffolk County’s economic development and planning commissioner by County Executive Steve Bellone.

She succeeds Natalie Wright, who resigned to become chief strategy officer at the Community Development Corp. of Long Island, a nonprofit that builds affordable housing and assist renters and first-time home buyers.

Lansdale had worked for Wright as director of the county’s planning and environment division. The division works to improve water quality, find new uses for polluted property, assist farmers and preserve open space.

Prior to joining Suffolk government, Lansdale was executive director of Sustainable Long Island, a Farmingdale-based nonprofit focused on community planning and economic development.

“Sarah Lansdale takes over the commissioner role with unmatched experience and a record of success as Suffolk’s planning director in protecting farmland and open space and driving water quality, transportation and affordable housing initiatives,” Bellone told Newsday on Thursday.

Lansdale also was unanimously elected chair of the board of the county’s Industrial Development Agency on Thursday. The position is unpaid and was previously held by Wright and other commissioners.

Wright was named commissioner in February 2020 and joined the Bellone administration in 2019 as chief deputy commissioner after four years at the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery.

At the development corporation, Wright will help to implement "strategic initiatives and development of future expansion," said CEO Gwen O'Shea.

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.