The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce announced today that Hector Batista will become the new President and CEO and first Hispanic President to serve in the Chamber’s 100-year history.
Batista comes to the Chamber with a wealth of knowledge and experience from the nonprofit sector, most recently serving as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters NYC. He will start at the Chamber on Monday, October 22, 2018. He succeeds Andrew Hoan who left in May lead the Portland Business Alliance.
Batista will lead all three arms of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, including its 501c (3) corporation, the Brooklyn Alliance, and its Community Development Financial Institution, Brooklyn Alliance Capital Inc. He will continue to work closely with the Board of Directors of all three organizations, with Brooklyn’s small businesses, elected officials and other neighborhood and community leaders.
“I am truly thrilled to hand over the reins to a person who has made quite an impact in the non-profit sector and who has the experience and energy to lead this organization,” said Rick Russo, Acting President of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. “I consulted at Borough Hall when Hector was leading their economic development efforts there, and his expertise certainly served as a great asset to the borough. I look forward to sharing ideas and working closely with him at the Chamber.”
“We are excited to bring Hector on board as he really has the experience and enthusiasm needed to move the Chamber forward with its programming and economic development initiatives. The addition of Hector’s leadership also adds the element of diversity which is reflective of the borough, and really pushes the Chamber into the next century,” said Ana Oliveira, Co-Chair of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
“Hector is in tune with the needs of the private and public sectors and will be a great advocate for the business community in Brooklyn, said Gil Cygler, Co-Chair of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. I, along with the rest of the Board of Directors, truly looking forward to working with him and learning from him.”
Aside from his successful eight-year run as the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters; where he expanded the organization’s footprint into all five boroughs, grew key programs and mentoring initiatives; Batista has developed a comprehensive management style across industries. He has devoted most of his professional and personal endeavors to public service and has served as a leader of large government departments as well as nonprofit and private organizations.
Batista began his career in the Brooklyn Borough President’s office, where he served as Director of Real Estate for the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation, Director of Economic Development and Director of Development and Finance, over the course of nine years. He was later appointed by New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani to serve as Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of Department of Housing Preservation and Development. He also served as Executive Vice President of the New York Metropolitan Region of the American Cancer Society.
“This is kind of a homecoming for me. I’m a local kid from Brooklyn, who went to high school in Brooklyn and continues to have roots in Brooklyn,” said Batista. “It’s as if my career has come full circle having started in economic development at the Brooklyn Borough President’s office. I look forward to serving as an advocate and thought leader for the business community and continuing to build on the work being done at the Chamber.”
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is the largest and fastest-growing Chamber of Commerce in New York. It was named 2017 Chamber of the Year by The Business Council of New York State. The Chamber promotes economic development across the borough and serves as an advocate for its member businesses. Its mission is to promote a healthy and robust business environment throughout Brooklyn. This year marks the Brooklyn Chamber’s Centennial.
