The Nassau County Industrial Development Agency recently hired Danielle Oglesby to serve as deputy executive director.
Oglesby, a graduate of Hunter College, left her post as the chief operating officer at the Global Institute at LIU Post in Brookville to join the Nassau IDA. She has an extensive background with development agencies, having served as a project manager for the Glen Cove IDA for five years and commissioner of the Village of Hempstead’s Community Development Agency for three and a half years.
IDA Chairman Richard Kessel said her resume was what grabbed his attention.
“She’s got an extensive economic development background,” he said. “We were looking for someone who had that background and could help move the IDA forward in terms of marketing and selling it to companies, particularly companies outside of Nassau to bring jobs back to the county.”
According to Kessel, Oglesby’s duties will be to work with companies and communities to bring jobs to the area. He also said that Oglesby will help to communicate to Nassau residents what the IDA does, something he said wasn’t always clear in the past.
“I think it’s important that the IDA get out into the world so people know what we do,” he said. “I can’t do it by myself. I need her help.”
Efforts to reach Oglesby were unavailing.
She also served as a planner for Nassau County from 2007 to 2008 and was a program manager for the office of downtown revitalization in the Town of Babylon from 2010 to 2014.
Her experience with downtown revitalization ties into one of the goals of the IDA, Kessel said. The Nassau IDA recently held a news conference with County Executive Laura Curran and the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce to promote shopping in local downtowns for the holidays, instead of online.
“Downtowns are pure gold and what make Nassau great,” he said. “I’ve asked her to develop a plan to promote the downtown on North and South shores and Oyster Bay by working with local chambers.”
He added that he was looking forward to what Oglesby will accomplish with the agency.
“She’s bright, energetic, and has a strong background,” he said. “I’m glad that we brought her on board.”
Reach reporter Luke Torrance by email at ltorrance@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516-307-1045, ext. 214, or follow him on Twitter @LukeATorrance.
