A great political mystery of 2024 has been solved: What is former County Executive Steve Bellone going to do after 26 years in government?
Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico heightened the mystique during his January swearing-in ceremony when he referenced the political world’s three great mysteries: “‘Where is the federal government going to spend the $1 trillion infrastructure money?’ ‘Where will the state spend the $4.2 billion environmental bond fund?’ ‘And Where is Steve Bellone going to work next?’”
The politician from Babylon has a resume that would make him a desirable acquisition for any organization. The former chief executive, 54, started his public service career in the Army, where he was a Communications Specialist. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and communications from Queens College and a law degree from Fordham University School of Law.
At age 28, Bellone was elected to the Babylon Town Board and, four years later, rose to supervisor. He went on to become county executive, unable to run for reelection after 12 years due to Suffolk’s term limit law. Relinquishing his role to former Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine, the politician gave no hint of his future employment prospects but did feign that he would keep his options open for another elected post.
Bellone’s deputy, Vanessa Baird-Streeter, has already transitioned from county government, though strings are still attached. As the new head of the non-profit Health & Welfare Council of Long Island, she drew flak over her new employer receiving $75,000 in taxpayer dollars from the Bellone administration as he headed for the exit. Baird-Streeter took over the role after the council’s previous CEO, Rebecca Sanin, won election to the Suffolk Legislature.
Another of Bellone’s deputies, Lisa Black, is being sought out by the legislature not for potential future employment but because she’s the last remaining witness to testify before the Special Committee investigating the cyber hack that shut down Suffolk’s computer system for months. Officials said the report, expected to be released earlier this year to provide guidance on bolstering the country’s security network, is being held pending Black’s testimony.
Northwell Health is the largest health system in the state, with 85,000 employees treating over two million New Yorkers every year. They manage Staten Island University Hospital and had a need there for an assistant vice president of operations. Resolving the great political mystery, they recently announced a new hire for the position: former County Executive Steve Bellone.