Suffolk to get new economic development chief

New York City real estate consultant Joanne Minieri, who until last June was president of the company building Brooklyn's mammoth Atlantic Yards and the new New Jersey Nets arena, will be named Tuesday to head Suffolk's beefed-up economic development agency, according to business officials and Bellone administration sources.

Spokeswoman Vanessa Baird Streeter declined to identify the "private sector" choice, but she said County Executive Steve Bellone will hold a news conference in Hauppauge to disclose the $170,000-a-year appointee.

Bellone says a new business czar and an overhauled economic development agency are key to reviving Suffolk's long-term fiscal health. Since taking office in January, Bellone has increased the economic development staff from 27 to 100.

Until last summer, Minieri, 51, was president and chief operating officer for Forest City Ratner Companies. In 2009, Crain's New York Business listed her 31st among New York City's 50 most powerful women. She also served as executive vice president and chief financial officer in her 16 years with Ratner.

Minieri, an accountant, earlier worked for 13 years for the real estate accounting form of Kenneth Leventhal and Co. She currently has her own consulting firm, JMM15 Llc.

During her time with Ratner, Minieri oversaw day-to-day operations and developed long-term strategies, which included development of 10 office buildings, 24 retail centers, two hotels and two residential projects.

Among those projects are the new New York Times headquarters, the $680 million, 76-story Manhattan tower designed by Frank Gehry and preliminary work on the 8-million square foot Atlantic Yards project with 6,400 apartments, and an arena for the New Jersey Nets.

Administration sources say Bellone reached out to business leaders after his election seeking names to lead the economic development agency, and that Edward Blumenfeld, developer of Tanger Outlet Center at the Arches in Deer Park, suggested Minieri.

Kevin Law, president of the Long Island Association, said Minieri is Bellone's choice for economic development director and that her selection "sends a strong message to business of his commitment to economic development."

Desmond Ryan, executive director of Association for a Better Long Island, which represents commercial Realtors, said Minieri has a "rock-solid reputation" for being "knowledgeable about public-private partnerships and putting together . . . an economic development deal."

A Manhattan Democrat, Minieri also has a East Hampton home on 1.8 acres. Administration sources do not expect Minieri will need a residency waiver because she will move to her local home before she starts work April 17.

A confirmation resolution is expected to be filed with county lawmakers Tuesday.