By Ellis Henican

Lots of public-spirited Long Islanders volunteer. And then there is Brad Gerstman. The co-founder of Gotham Government Relations is a board member of the Nassau University Medical Center, vice chairman of the Long Island Medical Foundation, governor’s appointee to the Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence, former state advocate for Autism Speaks. He was recently honored by Child Abuse Prevention Services. What exactly is Gerstman trying to prove? “My son is on the autism spectrum,” he said. “I know many families dealing with issues larger than we have. How can you not give back?”