Tech Company Gets a Warm Welcome

Software firm Work Market got a hearty welcome at its official opening Wednesday in Huntington Village.

Town and county representatives turned out at the second-floor office at 14 Wall St. to celebrate the company's arrival in Huntington. The company, founded by Lloyd Harbor resident Jeff Leventhal, connects large companies with local contractors, managing such activities as tracking assignments, or setting up background checks, and other such tasks.

Eric Castro, vice president of client services, said the company offers its services for IT, marketing work, such as finding mystery shoppers, home appliance contracts and is beginning to add legal services.

The open, airy office was a mix of informality and intensity as officials arrived for the celebration, which was led by Steve Rossetti, secretary of the Suffolk Industrial Development Agency.

He and other officials, including IDA executive director Anthony N. Manetta, were enthusiastic about the possibility of Work Market leading other tech companies to put down roots in Huntington.

"Supporting growth companies, such as Work Market through the Suffolk IDA's new Boost program is vitally important to the County's economy. We want to incentivize startups and established companies in the information technology, life & bio sciences, pharma, green technology and energy sectors to open, expand and grow here," Manetta said.

Rossetti said the company could help Huntington turn into "tech town."

Suffolk County Legis. William Spencer and Town Councilmen Eugene Cook and Mark Mayoka praised the company and pledged support if the company needed it.

Castro was equally enthusiastic about the company's location downtown. "There's a lot of culture and entertainment here. We know that we can start attracting other people," he said, citing restaurants and such entertainment centers as the Paramount as selling points in the high-stakes battle for talented software workers.

The 14 current employees are a mix of marketing, sales, development and other areas of expertise and the company is looking to hire more people.

Both Leventhal and Castro are Long Islanders; the former is a graduate of Half Hollow Hills East, while Castro is from Wantagh.