Florio tapped to succeed Pally at LIBI | Long Island Business News

Michael Florio will assume the role of CEO of the Long Island Builders Institute, following the retirement of Mitch Pally at the end of the year. 

Florio, who lives in East Northport, was formerly chief of staff for Congressman Tom Suozzi. He has also worked in the energy sector and on behalf of trade organizations. 

“The decision of the LIBI board to welcome Michael Florio to fill this position follows months of interviews with enormously talented people,” LIBI President Steven Krieger, said in a written statement. “In the end, Mike’s extraordinary public-private career experience, coupled with his unique appreciation of Long Island’s complicated dynamics, led us to offer him this appointment.” 

Florio called Pally one of the most respected Long Island leaders in a generation. “While I am honored to work on behalf of LIBI and the board, this appointment is not about replacing Mitch, but sustaining his work and the organization’s mission of advocating on behalf of our region’s quality of life,” Florio said in the statement. 

Pally, who has served four three-year terms as LIBI’s leader, announced his plans to retire in March. Prior to becoming CEO of the area’s largest homebuilders trade group in Jan. 2011, Pally had served as vice president of government relations at the Long Island Association and later as an attorney specializing in land-use and zoning issues for the Weber Law Group in Melville. He also was Suffolk County’s representative on the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 

“There are few on Long Island who have Mike’s seasoned credentials in public policy and the private sector,” Pally said of Florio. “His career mirrors my own given my legislative staff experience prior to entering the business world and that cross discipline is crucial in pursuing LIBI’s agenda of addressing the housing crisis on Long Island.” 

Kyle Strober, executive director of the Association for a Better Long Island said Florio, who has three children, knows firsthand the difficulties many families face in the region. 

“Between his extensive professional background and his personal commitment to the Island, Mike is exceptionally qualified to advocate for our region and protect and preserve our economy not just for our generation but for future generations,” Strober said in the statement. “ABLI looks forward to continuing our partnership with LIBI as their organization passes the torch from one generation to another.”