Commentary: The Influentials

Long Island Business News, Dec 28, 2007

THE INFLUENTIALS

Back in the 1960s, New York development czar Robert Moses hatched a plan to run a highway the length of Fire Island, opening the barrier island's beaches and dunes to bus loads of Manhattan day- trippers.

The idea had Newsday's backing, but it faced stiff opposition from Paul Townsend, the editor of Long Island Business News, the always feisty, but not always financially successful weekly the former PR exec had acquired a decade before.

There can be no questioning Moses' power at the time. Beginning in the early 1920s, he had consolidated control of the state's splintered development efforts and pushed through everything from the state parkway system to the Triborough Bridge, Jones Beach and the Cross Bronx Expressway.

And Newsday Publisher Alicia Patterson was certainly no patsy. She stood shoulder to shoulder with the tiny group of business and government leaders who ran the Island back then, cigarettes firmly in hand. What Newsday said, in those days, invariably went.

But Townsend somehow managed to use his little news sheet to kill the plan, firing off editorial after editorial that built concerted public opposition. To give proper credit where it belongs, he almost single-handedly won creation of the Fire Island National Seashore in the process.

If you search for the difference between power and influence, that's it. Call it top down versus bottom up, fiat versus referendum.

The difference is at the heart of our annual look at Long Island's most influential people, leaders in business, government, philanthropy and education. The folks who, arguably, make Long Island tick.

Many on the list have no real power but, through spirit and ideas, have managed to build real influence. Sprinkled in are a few with real power who honestly try to influence, rather than use their offices to dictate.

Some are one-shots, meaning they had a year to remember. Others are perennial players. You've seen them on the list before and will likely again next year.

We've also added a Hall of Fame this year as a way to look back at those whose power and influence, spirit and ideas helped turn estates and empty grassland into the Long Island we call home today. And, yes, we felt we had to include Moses.

The Influentials aren't ranked and there's no special order on how they are presented here. Similarly, the photos are arranged by what fit where, with an eye toward what we call "color positions." And no, members of the LIBN staff were not considered.

Enjoy this year's running of The Influentials.

BANKING/FINANCE

Joseph Ficalora

Chairman and Chief Executive: New York Community Bancorp

Two years ago, a bad bet on bonds had analysts calling for Ficalora's head. Now the New York Community Bancorp chief executive is leading a renaissance as the savings and loan netted a higher profit in 2007, all while competitors stumbled through a terrible year for banks.

Brad Rock

Chairman: Bank of Smithtown

The former high school sports legend's little bank continues to expand throughout Long Island and has visions of cracking the New York City market. Rock's also turned into the banking industry go- to guy on Capitol Hill, as the new chairman of the American Bankers Association.

James Simons

Renaissance Technologies Corp.

The hedge-fund billionaire puts his money to good use - and not only for the investing community. Simons donated millions to keep the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Lab running and continues to support the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory as well.

Kirk Kordeleski

President: Bethpage Federal Credit Union

He is the top gun at the Island's biggest credit union. Bethpage keeps growing, up to 17 branches and more than $2.6 billion. Kordeleski also has a lead role with the Long Island Association, fighting for next generation housing. If that's a fight he wins, he goes from being influential to legendary.

Roslyn Goldmacher

Chief Executive: Long Island Development Corp.

Higher gas costs, a sluggish real estate market and nervous banks are making it a tough environment for small businesses. But Goldmacher's LIDC is cutting deals and keeping the small business market afloat on Long Island.

EDUCATION

Stuart Rabinowitz

President: Hofstra University

Call him the man who brought a presidential debate to Long Island. Over the course of 2008, Hofstra will be working overtime to make sure everything is in place to host the presidential candidates. Rabinowitz is working on much more than debate preparations, however. He'll usher in a new medical school at the university through a partnership with the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, as well as a new slate of online degree programs.

Robert Scott

President: Adelphi University

Adelphi, with its four locations in the metropolitan New York area, has really focused on cleaning up its digs since Scott took over in 2000. The university is currently undergoing a $115 million expansion to strengthen the presence of its Garden City campus, a challenge for Scott since it only stretches 75 acres. That includes the creation of a stand-alone performance arts center and a brand new sports center, much like private universities C.W. Post and Hofstra boast.