Governor Cuomo Announces New Fellowship Program to Honor the Life of Scott Martella

LongIsland.com

The Governor’s former aide and Suffolk County regional representative, died August 21 in a car accident on the Long Island Expressway.

Print Email

New public service fellowship program created in honor of former aide to Governor Cuomo.

Long Island, NY - October 24, 2016 - Governor Cuomo today announced the creation of the “Scott Martella Fellowship.” Martella, the Governor’s former aide and Suffolk County regional representative, died August 21 in a car accident on the Long Island Expressway.

“Scott believed in government’s potential to improve lives and worked day in and day out in pursuit of this principle,” Governor Cuomo said. “I believe Long Island is a better place today because of Scott’s tireless dedication and, with this fellowship, we will help ensure his legacy and public service will continue and endure for years to come.”

The Scott Martella Public Service Fellowship
The Scott Martella Public Service Fellowship will be awarded every two years to a student, who like Martella, is committed to public service, and has a passion for helping others. The Fellow will serve for two years at the Department of Labor, where Martella served for over a year, and will focus on community outreach, similar to the work that he championed throughout his career. The Fellow will be assigned a mentor at the Department of Labor.

The Fellow will be selected from the 2017-19 class of Excelsior Service Fellows, and will have demonstrated a commitment to helping others and a record of public service. Nominated Fellows will be required to submit an additional personal statement outlining their commitment to community outreach and their desire to exemplify Scott Martella’s legacy of serving others. The selected Martella Fellow will update the Martella family periodically as to his or her work and experience in the Excelsior Fellowship program.

About Scott Martella
Martella, 29, received his B.A. in International Business from Boston University in 2008. During his studies, he spent a semester in Washington, D.C., where he developed his love for public service and government. After graduating, he returned to Long Island to work on the campaign of a local state senator and was elected to the Smithtown Board of Education at the age of 22.

Martella began his work with the Governor’s Office in 2011. From 2011-2015, he served as the Governor’s Suffolk County Representative at the New York State Department of State before being promoted to Long Island Regional Representative for the New York State Department of Labor.

While working for this administration, Martella built and maintained strong relationships with leaders in the community and impacted the lives of thousands across Long Island and New York State. He most recently served as Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone’s Director of Communications.

About the Excelsior Fellowship
The Excelsior Service Fellowship Program was created by Governor Cuomo in 2013. Fellows work at agencies throughout the Executive Branch, advancing the operational aspects of the Governor’s major policy initiatives. Fellows serve for a two year term, but highly qualified and dedicated individuals have continued with their respective agencies or gone on to new roles within state government.