Patrick G. Halpin

Patrick Goodchild Halpin (born January 18, 1953) is an American politician who served as the fifth county executive of Suffolk County, New York, from 1988 to 1991. Halpin is currently the Chair of the Suffolk County Water Authority.

Patrick G. Halpin
Chair of the Suffolk County Water Authority
Incumbent
Assumed office December 18, 2018
Preceded by	Jim Gaughran
5th Executive of Suffolk County, New York
In office January 1, 1988 – December 31, 1991
Preceded by	Michael A. LoGrande
Succeeded by	Robert J. Gaffney
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 11th district
In office January 1, 1983 – December 31, 1987
Preceded by	Philip B. Healey
Succeeded by	Robert K. Sweeney
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 9th district
In office April 20, 1982 – December 31, 1982
Preceded by	Louis T. Howard
Succeeded by	John Flanagan, Sr.
Member of the Suffolk County Legislature
In office January 1, 1979 – April 20, 1982
Preceded by	???
Succeeded by	???
Personal details
Born	Patrick Goodchild Halpin January 18, 1953[1]
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Ana
Children	2 (Christina and Sarah)[2]
Residence	Oak Beach, New York, U.S.
Alma mater	Old Dominion University
Occupation	Managing Director at Mercury

Education and career

Halpin grew up on Long Island and attended St. Joseph's School in Babylon. He attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where he earned a B.A. degree in political science and economics. After college he was a political campaign volunteer and became a campaign staffer for Tom Downey, who was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1974. He later became a congressional aide for Downey.[2]

Halpin's own political career began at age 26 in 1979, when he was elected to represent the 13th District of the Suffolk County Legislature. On April 20, 1982, he was elected to the New York State Assembly, to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Louis T. Howard to the Suffolk County Legislature.[3] Halpin was the first Democrat in 116 years to be elected to the Assembly from that area. He was re-elected three times and remained in the Assembly until 1987, sitting in the 184th, 185th, 186th and 187th New York State Legislatures. He chaired the Committee on Ethics, and the Subcommittee on the Long Island Marine Resources.

In 1987,[4] Halpin was elected Suffolk County Executive, at age 34 the youngest in the county's history. His achievements include instituting the drug education program DARE; an anti-domestic violence program; a homeless housing initiative; and a nationally-recognized open space and environmental program. He served one term from 1988 to 1992, when he was defeated by Robert J. Gaffney.[5]

In 1994, Halpin became Executive Vice President at the Institute for Student Achievement,[6] located in Lake Success on Long Island. The Institute works in partnership with schools to help low-performing students stay in school, graduate and go on to college, work, other post-secondary education or job training.

Halpin is currently the managing director of Mercury Public Affairs LLC.[7]

In March 2006, Halpin was confirmed by the Suffolk County Legislature to a five-year term on the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA). Halpin was re-appointed in March 2011 and March 2016. On December 18, 2018, Halpin was appointed as the Chair of the SCWA to replace Jim Gaughran, who resigned upon his election to the New York State Senate.[8][9]

References

1. "Spin Cycle: Ex-Suffolk exec Halpin's fountain of youth". Newsday.com. July 22, 2009. Archived from the original on May 26, 2006. Retrieved March 5, 2011. Suffolk Board of Elections records show that Halpin was born Jan. 18, 1953.
2. Traxler, Maureen (2008). "David Award Honoree: Patrick G. Halpin". Networking Magazine. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
3. DEMOCRATS WIN 3 RACES IN LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS by Frank Lynn, in the New York Times on April 21, 1982
4. Lynn, Frank (November 8, 1987). "Halpin, Gulotta: The Torch Passes". The New York Times. Retrieved March 5, 2011. 34-year-old Mr. Halpin
5. Barbanel, Josh (November 6, 1991). "Democrat Halpin Is Defeated in Suffolk". The New York Times. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
6. "ISA Executive Bios: Patrick Halpin, Executive Vice President for External Affairs". Institute for Student Achievement. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
7. "Patrick Halpin biography". Mercury LLC. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
8. Brand, Rick (November 25, 2018). "Halpin proposed as new SCWA chairman". Newsday. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
9. "Halpin Appointed Chairman of SCWA By Suffolk County Legislature". Suffolk County Water Authority. December 19, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2019.

External links

• Institute for Student Achievement