Community Stars 2026

Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (born August 26, 1953) is a lifelong resident of Sag Harbor, NY. He graduated from Pierson High School in 1971. After attending Cornell University, Thiele received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree (Summa Cum Laude) from Southampton College in 1976 and a J.D. from Albany Law School in 1979. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1980.

Fred served as counsel to his predecessor, Assemblyman John L. Behan from 1979 to 1981. In 1982, he was appointed as Town Attorney for the Town of Southampton and Planning Board Attorney for the Town of East Hampton, where he served both Towns from 1982-1987.

In November 1987, Thiele was elected to the Suffolk County Legislature. He served as Chair of the County Legislature’s Public Works Committee and the Energy and Environment Committee. He sponsored legislation that successfully led to the nomination of the Peconic Bay into the National Estuary Program.

Thiele was then elected as an independent to the post of Southampton Town Supervisor in 1991, where he served until 1995. Thiele enacted numerous government reform measures that eliminated a significant Town budget deficit and enacted multiple tax reductions while increasing services. He implemented Southampton Town’s first affordable housing project and sponsored measures that protected the LI Pine Barrens.

From 1995 to 2024, Thiele was the East End’s representative in the New York State Assembly. He was appointed by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to Chair the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Governments. He also served as a member of the Rules, Environmental Conservation, and Transportation Committees. Perhaps his most notable legislative accomplishment was the creation of the Peconic Bay Community Preservation Fund, which has preserved more than 14,000 acres of open space, farmland, parks, and historic sites. He also passed more than 300 laws in areas such as housing, clean water, and public transportation. Thiele retired from the State Assembly after 15 terms in 2024. He is the longest serving State Assembly member from this region in the history of the State of New York.

Since retiring, Thiele has remained busy serving the East End as a member of the board of several local non-for profit organizations. He has also taught college classes as well as continued to practice law. He writes a monthly column for the local newspaper. He and his wife NancyLynn also now have time to travel and enjoy other pursuits such as gardening and pickleball.