Professional Profile: Richard Kessel, 2019

Richard Kessel

Name: Richard Kessel

Title: Chairman of the Board

Company: Nassau County Industrial Development Agency 

Location: Mineola, NY

Birthplace: Nassau County, NY 

Education: Calhoun High School, Merrick, NY; attended Colgate University, BA from NY University, MA from Columbia University. 

First job: Sorting greeting cards at Colony Card shop in Merrick. 

First job in real estate or allied field: Chairman and executive director NYS Consumer Protection Board. 

What do you do now and what are you planning for the future? Currently Chairman of the Nassau County IDA and work as an energy consultant and plan to continue to work for as long as I can. 

How do you unwind from a busy day? Watch sports 

Favorite book or author: Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 

Favorite movie: Goodfellas 

Last song/album that you purchased/downloaded? The Beach Boys greatest hits 

One word to describe your work environment: Wonderful 

Rules to live by in business: Be honest, forthright and always respectful 

If you could invite one person to dinner (living or dead, but not related to you) who would it be and where would you go? Babe Ruth at Peter Luger in Brooklyn 

What is your dream job? Coaching the NY Knicks.