Harry Coghlan was selected to serve as the next chief executive officer for the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency last Thursday.
The Merrick resident was chosen by the agency’s board and the appointment received praise from Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, according to a press release from her office.
Coghlan specializes in business transformation and has worked at companies such as Con Edison, Avon and Clear Channel Outdoor among others, the executive said.
“I look forward to creating meaningful opportunities and incentives to draw companies to this county, attract new investments and ensure long-term benefits to our communities,” Coghlan said in a statement. “There is tremendous economic potential in Nassau County in industries as diverse as life sciences, film aerospace and the tech sector.”
He said it his goal to break barriers for businesses that will launch the local economy.
He succeeds Joseph J. Kearney who resigned on Jan. 3 to accept a position on the Nassau County Board of Elections. Kearney served in the position for eight years.
Coglan accepted the position after having served as the president and general manager of Clear Channel Outdoor’s New York market since 2010.
Curran said in a statement that the time is right for a fresh perspective from the private sector to serve in the position.
“With Harry’s eminent experience as a business executive and as a community advocate, I am confident he will bring keen insight to the needs of companies already in Nassau, and those looking to relocate,” she said.
Richard Kessel, the agency’s chairman, said in a press release that Coghlan brings extensive experience from the private sector.
“We look forward to utilizing Harry’s expertise and guidance to continue to market our great county to corporations and ultimately bring jobs to Nassau,” he said.
At the same meeting, members of the board appointed Danielle Oglesby, the deputy executive director of the agency, to fill the role of chief operations officer.
She left her post as chief operations officer of the Global Institute at LIU Post in Brookville to take the position at the agency in November.
