Press Releases

April 19, 2000
James Larocca to Join Faculty as Distinguished Professor

Contact:
Jane Finalborgo
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081

James L. Larocca, a lawyer, business consultant and college professor who has served in three cabinet positions in New York State government and as President of the Long Island Association, has been named KeySpan Distinguished Professor of Public Policy at Long Island University, President David Steinberg announced today.

Larocca, who will be based at Southampton College, will teach courses in the environment, coastal resource management, government and associated fiscal issues and public policy. Mr. Larocca, who successfully mediated the complex dispute over the Long Island Pine Barrens which produced the landmark Pine Barrens Preservation Act of 1993, serves as Chairman of the Board of the Long Island Nature Conservancy. Over the past fifteen years he has served on both New York State commissions on coastal issues and shoreline erosion.

"James Larocca and the new KeySpan Professorship will mesh Southampton College's expertise in marine and environmental science with related governmental and public policy issues," Steinberg said. "His teaching will bring an important new perspective to our students, and will help the University bring intelligence and dispassionate analyses to the major public policy issues that must be solved by the people of Long Island and the metropolitan region."

Creation of the new University Chair is made possible by a grant from KeySpan Energy Corporation, which has made a number of previous gifts to the University. Larocca will be responsible for developing and expanding curriculum in the areas where he teaches, and will be available to students and colleagues at the University's two other residential campuses, C.W. Post and downtown Brooklyn.

Mr. Larocca joins an elite and accomplished group of leaders in their fields who have come to the University in recent years as Distinguished Professors, including essayist and public television commentator Roger Rosenblatt, artist Brian O'Dougherty, jazz pianist Billy Taylor, cartoonist and author Jules Feiffer, and novelist Peter Matthiessen.

"Jim Larocca's experience and visionary leadership in governmental environmental issues, intelligent use of energy resources, and public planning are a tremendous asset," said Provost Tim Bishop. "He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in areas that are of vital interest to our students, faculty, and the surrounding community."

As President of the Long Island Association, the region's largest business, civic and economic development enterprise, Larocca led the effort to unite a disparate group of corporations, businesses and non-profits into a cohesive organization. During his eight-year tenure from 1985-1993, membership in the organization grew from 1,800 to over 4,000. He is credited with promoting respect for both the economic and environmental needs of Long Island. The Long Island Environmental/Economic Roundtable, and the Education Conference Board were established under Mr. Larocca's LIA presidency.

From 1983 to 1985, Larocca served as New York State Commissioner of Transportation, and from 1977 to 1983 as Commissioner of Energy. Under his leadership of these departments the Rebuild New York program, the State Energy Master Plan, the Conservation Plan, and the Solar and Small-Hydroelectric plans were developed. Prior to this service, Mr. Larocca was Deputy Secretary to Governor Carey for Federal Affairs. From 1983 to 1989 he also served as Trustee of the New York Power Authority. He is a past Chairman of the Board of Touro Law School and a past member of the Stony Brook University Council.

Since 1993 he has been with Cullen and Dykman, a regional law firm. In 1998 he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor of New York. Throughout his career he has lectured at the university level on government, business, public policy and public administration and is currently Adjunct Professor of Political Science at Hofstra University.

Mr. Larocca is also an award-winning playwright and member of the Dramatists Guild. His play "Penang" won the Playwrights First Award at the Players in New York City in 1997. He is also an avid ocean sailor with a U.S. Coast Guard master's license. He is married to the former Dale Maizels, a college teacher. They have three children.

Southampton's nationally-renowned programs in Marine and Environmental Science have produced 32 Fulbright Scholars in the past 25 years.