Construction season is in full swing, and we at Long Island Road Warriors are taking this issue to look not just at where we’re going—but who’s paving the way to get us there.
This edition is dedicated to the engine that drives every infrastructure project, jobsite, and public works project across Long Island: our workforce. More specifically, the growing movement to develop, train, and empower the next generation of skilled laborers through apprenticeship programs, mentorship, and interagency collaboration.
At the heart of this effort is a public servant whose name many know, and whose impact is felt across Nassau, Suffolk and beyond: Matt Myers, the Downstate Director of Operations for the New York State Department of Labor. In our feature profile, you’ll meet Matt not just as a leader, but as a man whose decades in labor enforcement and investigation have shaped the careers of countless workers. His story is one of grit, humility, and an unwavering belief in doing things the right way—even when it’s hard.
You’ll also find a spotlight local apprenticeship program turning ambition into opportunity by Locals 66, 282, 290 and 1298, a few words from NYS Senator Mario Mattera, Rosalie Drago of Haugland Group, who speaks to the opportunities and challenges of developing workforces locally, United Way chimes in to discuss their workforce training programs, Rocco Carriero shows us how to creating an efficient business-exit plan, and Marc Herbst likens our workforce to the actual lifeblood of Long Island’s infrastructure.
If you have any suggestions (or praise!), drop me a line at jfranchi@licanys.org.
As always, we thank you for the work you do to keep Long Island running. We look forward to a productive season and urge everyone to stay safe out there.
Thank you,
Jaime