Mineola, NY - Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi today named Eric A. Kopp to serve as his new Deputy County Executive for Public Safety. A veteran public sector manager, Mr. Kopp, 48, has more than 26 years of experience as a government manager.

For the past 12 years, Mr. Kopp served as Chief Deputy County Executive in the administration of Suffolk County Executive Robert J. Gaffney. In that role, Mr. Kopp was responsible for the day-to-day operations of county government and served as liaison with all county departments, including those responsible for public safety.

"Eric Kopp brings years of experience to this administration and I am confident that he will do a terrific job protecting the health and safety of our residents while helping me to control costs and provide Nassau County with the most efficient government possible," County Executive Suozzi said. "I heartily welcome him to Team Nassau."

Prior to joining the Gaffney administration, Mr. Kopp served as Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Control and Public Information Office for the Town of Islip. In the 1980's, he was Press Secretary for then-County Executive Peter Fox Cohalan. He began his career in public service in 1977, serving as an aide to Cohalan while he was Islip Town Supervisor.

"Over the past two years I have worked with County Executive Suozzi and I have been continuously impressed by his enthusiasm and determination to build a new Nassau," Mr. Kopp said. "I look forward to joining the Suozzi team and I am honored to have been asked."

Mr. Kopp, a Franklin Square native, holds a Bachelor's Degree in political science from the C.W. Post Center of Long Island University in Greenvale. He was graduated Magna Cum Laude and was named the outstanding social science student in his class.

Mr. Kopp resides in Coram with his wife, Theresa, and their two children, Eric Ernst and Amanda.