The Scott Martella Award was started in 2016 in honor of a man who lived his life for the betterment of his community.
Scott Martella was a 2012 “Celebrate Long Island’s Young Professionals” honoree and a strong supporter of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce who passed away tragically on Sunday, August 21, 2016. He was only 29 years old.
Scott lived his life with the innate desire to change their world for the better, and the wisdom to know that he could not do it alone.
For this purpose, he served as a mentor to so many and an incredibly positive influence in our lives. In a metaphor, Scott’s efforts to better his community and the example he set while doing it are like the rising tide that raises all ships. It is incumbent upon us to continue his legacy by acting as individual beacons for this message. It is only apt that we, like Scott, better ourselves by bettering others and the community that surrounds us.
Scott Martella tragically died in 2016 at the age of 29.
Even from a young age, Scott’s talents were undeniable. In 2008, he became the youngest person ever to be elected to the Smithtown School Board at the age of 22. There, he helped to develop an environment that was academically challenging and socially fulfilling to the student body. He was a rising star in the New York State political sphere and was a dedicated public servant who impacted thousands of lives across Long Island and the state. Scott most recently served as Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone’s Director of Communications where he was the spokesman for the county executive and was responsible for the day-to-day communications operations of the county.
Prior to joining the county, Scott served as a member of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration for nearly five years. From 2011-2015, Scott was the Suffolk County Representative for the governor, before being promoted to serve as the Long Island Regional Representative for the New York State Department of Labor from July 2015 to June 2016. Among his many accomplishments, while working for the state, Scott served as a key liaison to the governor during Superstorm Sandy. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, Scott’s keen understanding of the region and unrelenting work ethic helped to provide much-needed assistance to the thousands of Long Islanders who were impacted by the unprecedented event. Scott additionally served as a policy advisor for the New York State Senate from 2009-2011 where he worked on issues affecting various communities throughout the state.
About Scott Martella
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The Scott Martella Award is a prestigious honor established in 2016 to celebrate the enduring legacy of a man who dedicated his life to the betterment of his community. Scott Martella, a 2012 “Celebrate Long Island’s Young Professionals” honoree and a beloved supporter of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce, was a passionate leader who believed in lifting others to create meaningful change. Tragically, Scott’s life was cut short on August 21, 2016, at the age of 29, but his impact continues to ripple through our community like a rising tide that raises all ships.
If you were recognized as a Young Professional honoree in 2020 or earlier, we invite you to apply for the Scott Martella Award. This is your opportunity to honor Scott’s legacy by showcasing how you’ve continued his mission of bettering others and your community. Join us in celebrating the spirit of mentorship, leadership, and service that Scott so beautifully embodied. Together, let’s keep his light shining.
Deadline to Apply is February 1st