Press Release
Long Island Association Appoints New Chief Economist of the LIA Research Institute
Melville, NY - The Long Island Association (LIA) today announced the appointment of Dr. Steven Kent as Chief Economist of the LIA Research Institute. Dr. Kent will provide critical economic and demographic insights to the regional business community and in-depth analyses on issues impacting Long Island’s growth and development, helping to inform policymakers and stakeholders about how various indicators and trends are impacting the business climate and sustainability of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Matt Cohen, Long Island Association President & CEO said, “Since 1926, the Long Island Association has been our region’s leading advocate and champion for economic growth. Our mission will be enhanced with the addition of Dr. Steven Kent to the LIA team as the new Chief Economist of the LIA Research Institute. The LIA will be well-served by his extensive private sector experience and the valuable data and analyses he will provide to our members at this pivotal inflection point for the future of Long Island and indeed the entire country as we navigate uncertain economic conditions and the existential crisis of affordability.”
Larry Waldman, Long Island Association Board Chair said, “The LIA is widely recognized for providing timely and unbiased research and imperative data points that serve to advance economic policies that helps our business community to thrive in the present and future. We welcome Dr. Kent to the LIA team and look forward to his vital insights on our regional economy.”
Dr. Steven Kent, LIA Chief Economist of the Long Island Research Institute, said, “As a lifelong resident of Long Island, I am thrilled to apply my knowledge and analytical skills to aid the LIA in continuing its quest to ensure our region's economic vitality. I look forward to working with LIA business members to support the prosperity of their companies in our region by providing real-time economic information that will allow them to properly forecast for operational success and growth.”
Dr. Kent also currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Molly University School of Business. He has spent his career helping companies identify untapped value by leveraging the interplay between business performance and investor motivation, including at Extended Stay America, where he helped to shepherd the company through a range of strategic maneuvers, and finally its sale to private equity. Dr. Kent spent most of his career at Goldman Sachs & Co, where he advised IPO issuers on value identification and exit strategy development. He was also recognized eight times as “best stock picker” by The Wall Street Journal; and appeared and has been cited more than 100 times in media such as Newsday, The New York Times, CNBC, and NBC.
Dr. James Lentini, President of Molloy University and member of the LIA Board of Directors said, “Long Island and our region are fortunate to have Steve Kent as Chief Economist of the LIA Research Institute. His expertise gleaned from twenty-six years at Goldman Sachs, in addition to his leadership roles in business and on corporate boards make him a logical choice for the LIA. We are fortunate to have Professor Kent as a tenured faculty member in our School of Business at Molloy University, where he is admired by peers and students for his knowledge and active participation in the Molloy community.”
Dr. Kent holds a Ph.D. in hospitality management from Iowa State University, an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business, and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Stony Brook University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. For more information, please see Dr. Kent’s biography.
About the Long Island Association (LIA): The LIA is the region’s leading non-profit and non-partisan business organization since 1926 and amplifies the voice of the business community. The LIA works to ensure the region’s economic vitality.
Long Island’s future is our business. www.longislandassociation.org
Matt Cohen, Long Island Association President & CEO said, “Since 1926, the Long Island Association has been our region’s leading advocate and champion for economic growth. Our mission will be enhanced with the addition of Dr. Steven Kent to the LIA team as the new Chief Economist of the LIA Research Institute. The LIA will be well-served by his extensive private sector experience and the valuable data and analyses he will provide to our members at this pivotal inflection point for the future of Long Island and indeed the entire country as we navigate uncertain economic conditions and the existential crisis of affordability.”
Larry Waldman, Long Island Association Board Chair said, “The LIA is widely recognized for providing timely and unbiased research and imperative data points that serve to advance economic policies that helps our business community to thrive in the present and future. We welcome Dr. Kent to the LIA team and look forward to his vital insights on our regional economy.”
Dr. Steven Kent, LIA Chief Economist of the Long Island Research Institute, said, “As a lifelong resident of Long Island, I am thrilled to apply my knowledge and analytical skills to aid the LIA in continuing its quest to ensure our region's economic vitality. I look forward to working with LIA business members to support the prosperity of their companies in our region by providing real-time economic information that will allow them to properly forecast for operational success and growth.”
Dr. Kent also currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Molly University School of Business. He has spent his career helping companies identify untapped value by leveraging the interplay between business performance and investor motivation, including at Extended Stay America, where he helped to shepherd the company through a range of strategic maneuvers, and finally its sale to private equity. Dr. Kent spent most of his career at Goldman Sachs & Co, where he advised IPO issuers on value identification and exit strategy development. He was also recognized eight times as “best stock picker” by The Wall Street Journal; and appeared and has been cited more than 100 times in media such as Newsday, The New York Times, CNBC, and NBC.
Dr. James Lentini, President of Molloy University and member of the LIA Board of Directors said, “Long Island and our region are fortunate to have Steve Kent as Chief Economist of the LIA Research Institute. His expertise gleaned from twenty-six years at Goldman Sachs, in addition to his leadership roles in business and on corporate boards make him a logical choice for the LIA. We are fortunate to have Professor Kent as a tenured faculty member in our School of Business at Molloy University, where he is admired by peers and students for his knowledge and active participation in the Molloy community.”
Dr. Kent holds a Ph.D. in hospitality management from Iowa State University, an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business, and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Stony Brook University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. For more information, please see Dr. Kent’s biography.
About the Long Island Association (LIA): The LIA is the region’s leading non-profit and non-partisan business organization since 1926 and amplifies the voice of the business community. The LIA works to ensure the region’s economic vitality.
Long Island’s future is our business. www.longislandassociation.org
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Stacey Sikes VP Government Affairs & Communications
- March 17, 2025
- (631) 493-3000
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