Press Releases

Contact: Public Relations Department
Suffolk County Water Authority
PO Box 37
Oakdale NY 11769
(631) 563-0296

November 29, 2000
Stephen M.Jones Named As Suffolk Water Authority's Chief Executive Officer

The Suffolk County Water Authority last night named Suffolk County Planning Director Stephen M. Jones as its new CEO. Jones, 53, will be the sixth CEO since the SCWA began operations in 1951, succeeding Frank Faber, Jr., who passed away on November 5, 2000.

SCWA Chairman Michael A. LoGrande said he has known Jones for more than 30 years, having worked with him in the County Planning Department and the Town of Islip. "I can't think of anyone better to replace Frank Faber, who served as CEO with great distinction," he said.

"Steve comes to us with the same level of extraordinary experience and knowledge that Frank had."

LoGrande added, "Steve is a graduate geologist and planner with degrees and training from Hanover College, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and Queens College and more than 30 years of experience in Suffolk County. He is very knowledgeable in the areas of town and county governments, growth patterns, environmental protection and real estate. From 1983 to 1993, he was vice president for resource development for the New York Institute of Technology, after which County Executive Robert Gaffney tapped him to serve as Suffolk's planning director."

"I wouldn't let Steve go if it weren't that the Water Authority was in need of a new CEO to replace Frank Faber. I know he's the right person to take over the protection of our drinking water supply, which is so important to our Suffolk families," Gaffney commented.

Jones, in turn, noted that he wouldn't have left the planning directorship without the blessing of the county executive. "I loved my job, and working for Bob Gaffney and the Suffolk County Legislature was a terrific experience, especially in heading the county's aggressive land preservation programs," he said.

However, Jones added, "The challenge of heading the Suffolk County Water Authority, which is now respected nationwide for its outstanding progress and leadership, is one I couldn't pass up. Couple that with the opportunity to work for Mike LoGrande once again and you have the best of all worlds. In the past 10 years, Mike LoGrande has turned the Water Authority around and made it one of the best in the nation. I'm looking forward to working with this progressive and dedicated Authority Board."

Jones and his wife, Ann, are 15-year residents of Bayport and have two sons. He is expected to assume his new position in December and plans to work closely with the County Planning Department for a smooth transition until a new director is named.

The Suffolk County Water Authority is a public benefit corporation operating by virtue of the Public Authorities law of the State of New York. Serving about 80% of Suffolk's residents, it operates without taxing power on a non-profit basis.