LIA chief Matt Cohen on sudden departure and what's next

Daily Point

LI leader's exit shocks board members

Matt Cohen's sudden departure from Long Island's largest business organization Monday surprised a wide array of advocates, business leaders and government officials, who had little warning regarding the move.

Even members of the Long Island Association's board told The Point that they didn't learn of Cohen's departure until Monday morning, when they received an email just minutes before a news release was sent to members of the media.

"It was a complete shock to me," one board member told The Point Tuesday.

But an executive committee member said the separation was done appropriately, noting that members of the committee knew for more than a month.

"I think you want to keep these things confidential until the appropriate time," he said.

Another board member, however, told The Point that business executives and others who've donated time and money to the organization are "ticked" at how Cohen's departure was handled. That board member found out, he said, first through a text, and then later saw the email notifying the board had been timestamped at 10:04 a.m. News outlets received a statement regarding the move at 10:18 a.m.

Cohen, 44, who succeeded Kevin Law, served as the LIA's chief executive for nearly five years and had been with the organization for 15 years, told The Point he had sought to "try to find common ground" with his large board and the LIA's many members.

"When you have a board as large as the LIA does, and you have a membership as large as the LIA does, it's inevitable that there are going to be people with differing opinions on a whole variety of topics," Cohen told The Point. "Since day one, my goal was to try to be myself ... While my style may not have been the type of style that everyone prefers, I feel confident that my style was still appreciated and valued by many as well."

Several sources noted that the timing of Cohen's departure was a particular surprise, as it comes in the middle of a busy Albany budget season, and just a week before one of the LIA's key events — the What's New in Washington program featuring all four Long Island congressional representatives — which is scheduled for next Monday. Cohen's contract wasn't due to expire until June and he will remain on the payroll until then, even though his last day of work was Friday. Internal Revenue Service filings for the LIA showed that Cohen earned an annual salary of $441,146, with additional "other compensation," amounting to $111,745, which can include employer-paid health benefits and retirement contributions.

When asked about the reasons for and timing of the move and its announcement in an interview with The Point Tuesday, Cohen said only: "I'll defer to the LIA's board chair and executive committee."

LIA chairman Larry Waldman did not return requests for comment.

But rumors flew as to the reasons behind Cohen's sudden departure, with some speculating that LIA officials had decided not to renew Cohen's contract.

"I don't think this is the way he had planned on exiting," one source said.

There were concerns among some regarding Cohen's "accessibility" and a lack of communication with other board members, sources said. Another Long Island observer noted that the LIA had shifted under Cohen's tenure.

"When they made the decision to go to Matt, it changed to some degree the emphasis of the organization, and moved it from a high-caliber advocacy organization to more of a networking organization," the observer said. "Networking is good, but the prime reason for the LIA is to be an advocacy organization for the entire business community."

But another board member said Cohen did the job the LIA asked him to do.

"He's done a great job," the board member said. "He had big shoes to fill and he filled them immediately."

Cohen told The Point he had worked to make the LIA "more accessible, more down to earth, more responsive, and more attentive to the needs of everyone."

What's next for Cohen? In the LIA's statement released Monday, Cohen said that he wanted to "explore new opportunities."

"I'm really proud of what we did," Cohen told The Point. "It's been a great ride. I love the LIA. I love Long Island. I don't currently have any plans to leave Long Island. I've spoken to some people about certain opportunities. I have nothing to announce yet but I am excited about the potential to tackle a new challenge and try to make a difference from a different platform."

As for the LIA itself, as of Monday, the organization's acting chief executive is Stacey Sikes, previously the group's vice president of government affairs, who said she would apply for the permanent job. Sikes told The Point that she wanted the organization "to continue to be influential in policy," with an emphasis on affordability concerns. She said she hoped to both be a public face for the LIA while also having one-on-one conversations with key leaders. Sikes said she was motivated by professional and personal goals.

"I care really deeply about the future success of Long Island," Sikes said. "I have two daughters, they're 12 and 9, and I want them one day to be able to afford to buy a house here, to raise their kids on Long Island, to get a job on Long Island and live here."

As the LIA begins a search for a permanent leader, one local observer had a job description ready for what they'd like to see in the next leader.

"You want some stature, some gravitas," said one local advocate. "Someone who has run something, who has knowledge and relationships, but who is not overly partisan. Not just all the usual government affairs people. You want someone who will be a leader on Long Island, a voice for the Island."

Said another local leader: "Whoever they bring in now will symbolize the type of organization they want to have."

"The resumes are flying already," said one board member.

— Randi F. Marshall randi.marshall@newsday.com

Pencil Point

Up in the air

For more cartoons, visit www.newsday.com/nationalcartoons

Final Point

A hole lot of frustration

The only thing worse than hitting a pothole is finding a way to get it repaired.

First, you must ask yourself, is this a town road? A county road? A state highway? This determines who is responsible for the repair and to whom the complaint needs to be directed. Then a series of clicks through your town's website will lead you to a general submission form, a phone number for the highway department, or an email address. After some research, it seems that only two towns, Huntington and Southold, have systems dedicated to reporting potholes efficiently, even allowing for a photo to be uploaded.

For state-owned roads, you can dial 1-800-POTHOLE (1-800-768-4653). This line is available 24/7. We called a few times, and at first were greeted by a live person who was ready to route our call to the corresponding state Department of Transportation region that would handle the repair. Alternatively, the recorded message asks that you leave your name, phone number and time and date of your call, along with a description of the pothole's location with as much detail as possible (name a roadway, traveling direction of roadway, nearest landmark or exit number, and more). But if the location you report isn't a state road, like the Southern or Northern State parkways, Sunrise Highway or Route 25A, then you are likely to be referred to the town that is responsible.

How to report potholes by town

Town of Hempstead: Report directly to the Highway Department at 516-489-5000, ext. 3471 or via the Helpline form with the ability to attach a photo.

Town of North Hempstead: Potholes and roadway damage may be reported to 311 or 516-869-6311 for inspection and repair.

Town of Oyster Bay: Call 516-677-5757 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email highwayoperations@oysterbay-ny.gov.

Town of Babylon: Potholes on town roads can be reported by calling 311 or by filling out the Report a Concern form, where you can attach a photo.

Town of Brookhaven: Generic form with ability to attach photo.

Town of East Hampton: Call highway maintenance at 631-324-0925.

Town of Huntington: Request service by giving the location, details, a photo if available, and contact info here.

Town of Islip: Call 631-224-5610 to report a pothole.

Town of Riverhead: Contact the town Highway Department at 631-727-3200.

Town of Shelter Island: Call 631-749-1090 or submit a message to the Highway Department through its generic form.

Town of Smithtown: Contact the town Highway Department at 631-360-7500 or email highway@tosgov.com.

Town of Southampton: Submit a general form report. 

Town of Southold: Submit contact form with ability to attach a photo. 

Recently, videos of potholes across Long Island have been going viral. On Sunken Meadow Parkway, they damaged the tires of several cars and left a trail of victims on the side of the road, which prompted a crew to come out for repair. The videos are reminders of a persistent issue.

Some GPS apps allow riders to report road hazards, but if there was one system that you could report them all to, we could also use it to warn drivers and help avoid costly tire and axle repairs as well.

In 2026, reporting a pothole shouldn’t require detective work. It should be as simple as opening your phone, dropping a pin and hitting send.

— Christine Wallen christine.wallen@newsday.com

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