About Us
The mission of the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is to promote economic development in the county by helping businesses expand and grow, increase employment opportunities and add to the quality of life for the residents of Suffolk County. The Suffolk IDA is the lead agency attracting new investment in Suffolk County and driving the region’s innovation economy and job expansion. Carrying out the work of the Suffolk County IDA is a team of experienced, highly skilled economic development professionals. They focus on attracting new business, supporting the expansion of existing industry, and mobilizing local and regional assets supporting regional long-term growth and economic development.
IDA Board Members
Natalie Wright, Chair
Committee: Audit and Finance; Governance and Compliance
Natalie Wright serves as Chair of the Suffolk IDA Board and the Commissioner of Suffolk County Economic and Planning. Ms. Wright was elected to the Board in 2020 by the Suffolk County Legislature. Previously, Wright served as Chief Deputy Commissioner in the Economic Development Department, as well as the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery.
Kevin Harvey, Vice Chair
Committee: Audit and Finance, Chair
Kevin Harvey has served on the Suffolk IDA board since 2012. A former business manager at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 25, Harvey was elected to Treasurer of the IDA in 2019. He has since moved up to serve as Vice Chair.
Sondra Cochran, Treasurer
Committee: Audit and Finance
Sondra Cochran is the Executive Director of the Wyandanch Community Development Corporation and has served on the Suffolk IDA board since 2014. She has spent over 25 years at the development corporation, which helps rehabilitate and build housing as well as counseling residents on housing issues.
Gregory T. Casamento, Secretary
Committee: Governance and Compliance, Chair; Audit and Finance
Gregory T. Casamento is currently the Managing Partner at Locke Lord LLP, a full service law firm focusing on complex litigation, regulatory, and transactional work. Casamento has spent over 25 years as a practicing attorney and eight years in his current Managing Partner position. He has served on the Suffolk IDA board since 2014.
Joshua Slaughter
Committee: Governance and Compliance
Josh Slaughter, the Long Island Political Coordinator at Mason Tenders District Council PAC, was elected to the Suffolk IDA board in 2019. He previously served as a Local 66 official at the Laborer’s Union. Slaughter also has a strong background in government relations in being a legislative aide and working on fundraising during campaigns.
Brian Beedenbender
Committee: Governance and Compliance
Brian Beedenbender is currently the Vice President of Sales at Teq, a company based around instituting STEM education. Beedenbender has been with Teq since 2016, previously serving as Senior Director of Sales and Vice President of Inside Sales. He was elected to the Suffolk IDA board in February 2021.
The Team
Anthony J. Catapano
Executive Director
Read About Tony
Anthony J. Catapano has served as Executive Director of the Suffolk IDA since 2014. He has been employed at the Suffolk IDA for nearly 20 years and had previously served as SCIDA’s deputy.
Send E-mail
631-853-4802
Kelly Murphy
Deputy Executive Director
Read About Kelly
Kelly Murphy has been Deputy Executive Director of the Suffolk IDA since January 2015. Previously, Murphy held previous positions including Assistant to the Commissioner of Suffolk County Economic Development and Planning, the Executive Director of the Glen Cove CDA/IDA, and the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the City of Glen Cove.