Email: leah@southoldforward.com

I have always had an interest in government and how it works, however it was my experience as a Senior Congressional Aide with Congressman Tim Bishop and volunteering with the Mattituck Laurel Civic Association that truly opened my eyes to the importance of effective leadership, proactive governance and the vital role of civic-minded organizations to protect the community and character of our beloved hamlet and town.   

Through this lens I learned to appreciate the critical roll of public servants in our community and the importance of remaining civically engaged where I live.  In order for government to function, we need qualified candidates to fill positions such as Tax Assessor, and I felt the call to run first and foremost because of my commitment to the community of Southold, where I was raised, and the fact that my background and experiences uniquely qualify me to serve well in this roll.

I also served as the Executive Director of the North Fork Chamber of Commerce, where I was responsible for ensuring the chamber’s financial health through membership and overseeing all administrative and management functions.

For the past 8 years I have been managing and serving as Marketing Director for the Village Cheese Shop on Love Lane in Mattituck.  In a small business, one is required to wear many hats and as such I have been involved with most aspects of running the company; including serving as the front face of the business, hosting special events, catering and customer sales.

During my twelve year tenure as a Senior Congressional Aide, I played  a key role in supporting Congressman Bishop’s legislative agenda.  I also worked on constituent relations, community outreach, communications and assisted in daily office operations.  As part of my portfolio, I was the point of contact for all complicated issues pertaining to Immigration, Visas and Social Security matters.  This position required quick critical thinking, the ability to communicate, and an attention to detail all skills that I will bring to the Tax Assessor’s office. 

In part, the Tax Assessor must estimate the market value of a property before calculating the assessment, and must ensure all residents pay their fair share of taxes.   After serving in government, I obtained my real estate license and learned how to compare and calculate the market value of homes and property in the Town of Southold.  This knowledge, along with my innate sense of fairness will serve Southold residents well when I calculate assessments for properties in our Town.

My family and I moved to the North Fork in 1973 when my parents built a home in Mattituck, where my sisters and I were raised. 

After attending Mattituck schools, I graduated from Mattituck High School, obtained  a Liberal Arts degree from Lafayette College in Easton, PA, where I participated in a year abroad program in Vienna, Austria to study German. 

And I am the proud mother of two adult children who were also raised in Mattituck.