Stu Rabinowitz has a surprising new gig

Daily Point

Zimmerman hires ex-boss at PR firm

For about two decades, public relations executive and political activist Robert Zimmerman worked for Hofstra University and its then-president Stuart Rabinowitz, aiding in communications efforts, increasing the prominence of Hofstra's faculty by encouraging media outlets to utilize them as experts on a variety of topics, and working to bring presidential debates in 2008, 2012 and 2016 to the university.

Now, the roles have reversed.

Zimmerman is hiring Rabinowitz to serve as a senior strategic adviser at his well-known public relations firm ZE Creative Communications, The Point has learned. ZE is headed by Zimmerman, along with senior partner and co-president Ron Edelson and partner and executive vice president David Chauvin.

The move comes nearly six months after Rabinowitz stepped down from his previous unpaid position as chairman of the Nassau University Medical Center board.

Zimmerman told The Point that he "went after" Rabinowitz, saying the hire "moves our firm to a whole other dimension."

"I know how much I grew, and my firm grew in the 20 years I worked for him at Hofstra," Zimmerman said. "I want to bring that excitement and experience that he gave us to our company and to our clients and to the members of our team."

Zimmerman said he expects Rabinowitz, 80, to bring expertise on a variety of issues, especially in terms of education policy.

Sources told The Point that among Rabinowitz's potential targets is Adelphi University, whose new president, Michael Balboni, has known Rabinowitz for years.

"Stu has always been a friend. He's been somebody I admire and respect," Balboni said. "If he decides to come in and pitch, the communications team will take a look and determine whether it fits into our vendor services. I wish him well."

Rabinowitz told The Point that his past experience and connections through Hofstra and through his work at the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council will help him in advising, messaging and problem solving.

"If you hire me in an area that I have expertise in, you get not only all of the backup communication you need, you also get my counsel on any area that you want to," Rabinowitz said. "I have done a lot of problem solving and I'm hoping I can give them good advice on how to maximize their business and their coverage, and I love the firm I'm joining."

— Randi F. Marshall randi.marshall@newsday.com

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Gray energy

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Final Point

Another campaign event for IG D'Esposito

Former Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, who was back from Washington for the start of the Labor Day weekend, made his presence known once again in his Town of Hempstead stomping grounds. On Thursday, he was seen at the campaign kickoff for John Ferretti, the town supervisor, at Levittown Hall in Hicksville.

Whenever he shows up for political events, it's more noteworthy than if he were still in elected office. Now he's the inspector general for the U.S. Labor Department, a position where in past administrations, he might have avoided the event altogether for fear of infringing on the Hatch Act. The 1939 law is intended to draw a sharp line between government employment and partisan campaigning. The guidelines for law enforcement are even more specific.

One source told The Point D'Esposito spoke for about a minute about electing allies in the room. Apparently, he never uttered Ferretti's name.

Donald Sherman, chief counsel for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, which has critiqued D'Esposito before on ethical issues, cited to The Point last month extra requirements for impartiality that are on the books for inspectors general. Specifically, the IG guidelines say: "The IG organization and its staff must be free from personal, external, and organizational impairments to ensure objective conclusions."

But he was recognized from the stage for what amounted to a launch rally for Ferretti, who was first elected just last year after being appointed supervisor, succeeding Don Clavin, who is now a Nassau County Court judge. One weekend last month, D'Esposito posted a photo on his personal LinkedIn page standing alongside Jeanine Driscoll, the GOP candidate for Congress against Rep. Laura Gillen, who unseated D'Esposito after one term in 2024.

The posting for this latest event read, "Join Nassau County Republican Committee, chairman Joseph G. Cairo, Jr., for a campaign kickoff" to reelect Ferretti.

Also Thursday, D'Esposito's office released a report stating that Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who served as President Donald Trump's labor secretary until she resigned in April, violated the department's anti-harassment policies. It said she engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a member of her security detail, didn't comply with travel rules, and got subordinates to do personal errands. Her lawyer told the news media she hasn't acted criminally.

— Dan Janison dan.janison@newsday.com

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