The Huntington Town Board on Wednesday voted 5-0 to appoint Laura Carey, a former aide to Councilman Dr. David Bennardo, as town comptroller.
Carey has been working as chief of staff to Bennardo, who took office in January 2022.
She succeeds Peggy Karayianakis, a CPA who served as comptroller for more than 10 years. Peter Leodis, who served as acting comptroller after Karayianakis left, went to work for the Town of Huntington.
She was earning $79,860 as Bennardo’s aide; in her new position, she will be paid $152,000.
She previously worked a variety of jobs, including bookkeeper and and financial officer in private industry.
She also was a trustee and, later, vice president of the South Huntington school board, first appointed in 2012 to the seat left vacant when board member Chad Lupinacci was elected to the State Assembly.
Before her appointment to the school board, she was PTA Council president in the district.
She also has been working as a consultant on fine and performing arts matters for the South Huntington school district. Update: Carey submitted her resignation Friday from the school district position.
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