Robert J. Gaffney

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Robert J. Gaffney was the sixth County Executive of Suffolk County, New York. First elected in 1991, he served through 2003.

Born and educated in New York City, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Fordham University School of Business in 1965 and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in 1969. After working as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Gaffney moved to Suffolk County in 1973. There he practiced law, concentrating in the areas of real property, litigation, corporate and commercial law.

In 1985, Gaffney was elected to the New York State Assembly, representing the Fourth Assembly District. He served as the ranking Republican member of the Real Property Tax Committee and the Committee on Corrections, as well as the Assembly Standing Committees on Codes, Higher Education, Environmental Conservation and the Judiciary. He also co-chaired the Assembly Republican Task Force on Crime Victims' Rights.

During his three terms as Suffolk County Executive, Gaffney was President of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) from 1994-1995 and President of the New York State County Executives Association from 1995-1996. He served on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Coordinating Committee from 1992-2003. As an adjunct professor at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, he taught Public Policy and Administration in the Graduate School of Political Science from 2000-2003.

Gaffney currently serves on the boards or committees of Dowling College, Central Suffolk Hospital and the Long Island Housing Partnership. In 2005, Mr. Gaffney was appointed by Governor Pataki to the New York State Commission on Healthcare Facilities in the 21st Century.

Preceded by: Patrick G. Halpin

County Executive of Suffolk County, NY 1991–2003

Succeeded by: Steve Levy