John B. Kiernan is a registered Lobbyist and has been with Davidoff Hutcher & Citron’s Government Relations group and an adviser to the Construction Law practice since 2000, concentrating in legislative affairs, municipal law, and government relations. Prior to joining DHC, Mr. Kiernan had more than 30 years of distinguished government service, including eleven years as Commissioner of the Nassau County Department of Recreation & Parks, where he oversaw the building of both the Cradle of Aviation Museum and the Nassau County Aquatic Center, built just in time to host the 1998 Goodwill Games.
After graduating from Fordham University’s Law School, Mr. Kiernan started his career as a counsel in the New York State Senate, becoming chief counsel and staff director of the Senate Committee on Transportation several years later. In his role as chief counsel, he was the lead negotiator for the New York State Senate on the first five-year, $8.5 billion capital plan for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
PUBLIC SERVICE RECORD
In 1982, Mr. Kiernan was elected Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead and was reelected three times. While serving as Supervisor, he was appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo as a member of the New York State Water Resources Planning Council. From 1984 until 1990, Mr. Kiernan was also Chairman of the North Hempstead Solid Waste Management Authority. While serving as the Nassau County Parks Commissioner, Mr. Kiernan was appointed to direct the reorganization of the Nassau County government following a ruling that the County’s Board of Supervisors voting system was unconstitutional. From 1993 until 1996, Mr. Kiernan was Chairman of the County’s Charter Revision Commission and successfully oversaw the transition from the Board of Supervisors to a County Legislature. For eleven years, Mr. Kiernan served as co-chairman of the Long Island Sports Commission and is a past Chairman of the National Association of Sports Commissions. From 2001 until 2011, he wrote a public commentary column for the Long Island Business News.
He is also a founding member of Irish-Americans in Government, serving as President from 1996-1998, and Mr. Kiernan is also the Republican Leader for his District, serving in that role since 1976.
AWARDS AND HONORS
- 1982 – Distinguished Staff Service – Resolution NY State Senate
- 1983 – Citizen of the Year – Roslyn Kiwanis
- 1987 – Citizen of the Year – NYS Society of Professional Engineers
- 1987 – Long Island Community Service Award; LI Chapter of the American Diabetes Association
- 1988 – Environmental Quality Award- Region II- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- 1988 – Man of the Year Cellini Lodge – Sons of Italy in America
- 1989 – Man of the Year New Hyde Park American Legion – Ernie Pyle Post
- 1989- Good Deed Award- Scouting for the Handicapped, Nassau County Council
- 1990 – Support ofVoice Democracy Program- Veterans of Foreign Wars, Albertson Post
- 1994 – Distinguished Government Service – Nassau County Ancient Order of Hibernians
- 1995 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Award- Nassau County Economic Opportunity Commission
- 1999 – Zone Honor Award – NYS Association for Health Physical Education Recreation & Dance (APHERD)
- 1999 – Youth Service Award – Long Island Junior Soccer League
