Dr. John Nader Succeeds Stuart Rabinowitz as LIREDC Academic Co-Chair
Linda Armyn Succeeds Kevin Law as LIREDC Business Co-Chair
The Long Island Regional Economic Development Council (LIREDC) today announced that Dr. John S. Nader and Linda Armyn have been appointed as Council Co-Chairs, effective immediately. Dr. Nader, President of Farmingdale State College, succeeds Hofstra University President Emeritus Stuart Rabinowitz as academic co-chair of the Regional Council. Linda Armyn, who serves as Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Bethpage Federal Credit Union, succeeds Kevin Law, Executive Vice President of Tritec Real Estate and Empire State Development Board Chairman Designee. Since 2011, the LIREDC has secured more than $770 million to support over 950 projects across Long Island.
ESD Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Hope Knight said, "The Regional Economic Development Councils engage community stakeholders in the economic development process to support the State's efforts to create jobs and catalyze new regional investments. I congratulate Dr. John Nader and Linda Armyn on their appointments as the new Long Island Co-Chairs, and I thank Stuart Rabinowitz and Kevin Law for their time and dedication to the Regional Council, and for their work creating new economic opportunities across Long Island."
Former LIREDC Co-Chair and ESD Board Chairman Designee Kevin Law said, “It's been my privilege to work alongside a terrific team on the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council. Together, we've supported inclusive economic growth that benefits all Long Islanders. I’m confident the LIREDC is in great hands and I look forward to supporting the Council’s efforts in my new role with ESD. Dr. John Nader and Linda Armyn are experienced, skilled visionaries, uniquely qualified to lead the Council and supercharge our momentum to bring Long Island to the next level. Long Islanders will be well served by their insight, integrity and consensus-driven approach, which will be essential as the LIREDC leads important new initiatives, including advancing local workforce development programs and advancing transformative projects for the Long Island Investment Fund."
Former LIREDC Co-Chair and President Emeritus of Hofstra University Stuart Rabinowitz said, “I am honored to have served on the LIREDC and to partner with such a talented group of people in order to help grow Long Island’s economy, especially building on its unique, top-tier educational and R&D strengths. I am confident that Dr. John S. Nader will bring his deep understanding of, and commitment to, the region’s higher education landscape to find ways to incubate and catalyze ideas that have the power and potential to transform our economy and our daily lives.”
LIREDC Co-Chair and President of Farmingdale State College Dr. John Nader said, “The LIREDC plays an important role in local economic development of the Long Island Region and I am honored to serve as a co-chair alongside Linda Armyn. By bringing together experts from industry, academia and nonprofits, the Council has developed strategic plans that have helped to fuel regional innovation and make Long Island a great place to live, work and visit. I look forward to building on the success of the Council and working to ensure Long Island’s economic prosperity.”
LIREDC Co-Chair and Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Linda Armyn said, “I look forward to building upon the work of my predecessor, Kevin Law, and working with my Co-Chair Dr. John S. Nader and all those involved with the LIREDC to continue the Council’s transformative work. In my new role, and having already had the honor of working with the LIREDC, I’ve seen first-hand how our regional private-public sector collaboration, along with academia and labor, can help to grow manufacturing and innovation across Long Island’s multiple industry sectors, from tech to life sciences to clean industry and defense. I look forward to continuing that collaboration to grow the economy here on Long Island and across New York State.”
Dr. John Nader has been a member of the LIREDC since 2018 and has served as co-chair of the LIREDC Workforce and Education Committee. Dr. Nader became President of Farmingdale State College in July 2016 where he has focused on the development of new academic programs, building partnerships with private industries and community colleges, advancing applied learning opportunities, and expanding support for student scholarships. He currently serves on the executive committees of the Long Island Regional Advisory Council on Higher Education and the Skyline Athletic Conference.
Previously, Dr. Nader was Provost at SUNY Delhi, served as a member of O'Conner Hospital's board of directors, and presider of the SUNY Chief Academic Officers organization. As Mayor of Oneonta from 2005 to 2009, he led the revitalization of a long-dormant downtown property and the creation of a veterans' memorial walkway. Dr. Nader received a BA in Politics from Ithaca College, and an MA and a PhD in Economics from the New School for Social Research.
Linda Armyn has been a member of the LIREDC since 2016 and has served as a member of the LIREDC’s Executive Committee, Co-Chair of Child Care Committee, and a member of the Downtown Revitalization Committee. Mrs. Armyn is Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Bethpage FCU, where she began her tenure in 2001. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, Mrs. Armyn spearheads Bethpage Cares, a Bethpage FCU philanthropic effort that invests more than $2 million in communities of modest means annually. She also developed the Bethpage FCU Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which has seen Bethpage volunteers prepare more than $24 million in returns for low income Long Islanders since 2003.
Mrs. Armyn is active within her industry as a member of legislative and advisory committees for the Credit Union National Association, NY Credit Union Association and the National Association of Federal Credit Unions. Locally, she serves as a board member for YMCA LI, Cradle of Aviation, Mentor NY, Child Care Council of Suffolk and a member of Stony Brook University Presidents Council. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and earned an MS in Corporate Communications from Northeastern University.
About the Regional Economic Development Councils
The Regional Economic Development Council initiative (REDC) is a key component of New York State's transformative approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, the 10 Regional Councils developed long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources.
Since the establishment of the REDCs in 2011 until the most recent round in 2021, which is still in-progress, over $7.5 billion dollars was awarded to more than 9,100 economic and community development projects consistent with each region’s strategic plans. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.
