Debra Markowitz is a study in innovation – personally, technologically, even economically, as in, the Nassau County economy, which now benefits from $169 million in annual economic activity from local film and TV production, a number that grew steadily (and dramatically, wink) during Debra’s 33 years as Nassau County Film Commissioner.

Now home to multiple Hollywood-grade production studios, Nassau boasts more production days than any other New York county except Manhattan, with regional support businesses of every size and type along for the ride. Behind all that economic mojo: Debra, who retired earlier this year from the Nassau County Film Office she founded, and is now producing and directing her own feature films through her 2014 Long Island startup Intention Films and Media.

In today’s conversation, the ex-commish joins Spark host Gregory Zeller to dish on A-listers, entrepreneurism and the unique challenges of turning the Island’s westernmost county into a moviemaking mecca.