Drew Scott, former multimedia journalist for NewsdayTV, becomes Brookhaven Town's communications director

Drew Scott is signing off from a long career in Long Island television news.

The former NewsdayTV multimedia journalist is set to start a new job, and a new career, on the other side of the microphone on Tuesday — as Brookhaven Town's director of communications.

"It’s a new challenge. I’m looking forward to it," Scott said Monday, adding he viewed his new job as "still journalism," but from a different perspective.

The Press Club of Long Island Hall of Famer, who worked previously at News12 Long Island and Channel 55, will be "disseminating important town government information to the public and the media" through news releases, social media, the town website, special events and appearances on Brookhaven's government-access cable channel, Optimum Channel 18, town officials said.

"For decades, Brookhaven Town residents have come to know Drew Scott as a person to inform them on issues of critical importance," Supervisor Dan Panico said in a statement. "Drew’s depth of knowledge, breadth of experience and solid reputation amongst his peers and the public make him an asset to Brookhaven Town. I am proud to welcome him to my team."

Brookhaven's chief spokesman, Jack Krieger, will remain as the town's director of public information, Scott said.

Scott will be paid $95,000 annually, Panico said Monday. The director of communications is a full-time position that had been vacant for several years, he said. 

Scott, 77, a Westhampton resident, had done work for NewsdayTV since 2018 following a 20-year career at News12. He was the founding news director at Channel 55, where he worked from 1985 to 1989 and again from 1995 to 1997.

His awards include numerous local television Emmys and an Edward R. Murrow Award.

Scott said Panico offered him the position after having worked on anti-opioid projects together. Scott has helped form and served on opioid task forces in Southampton, Islip and North Hempstead after his granddaughter Hallie Rae Ulrich died in 2017 from an overdose.

"We’ve done quite a bit on anti-opioid things over the last couple of years and it was kind of an outgrowth from that he made that offer to me that I come on as public information director," Scott said. "I’ve been working weekends and holidays over the years and it sounded tantalizing, and I said yes."

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.