More than 400 of Brooklyn’s top business, economic development, community and political leaders networked and discussed the borough’s growing economic health at the The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce‘s annual Winter Gala last night held at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge.
The 2019 Winter Gala was Hector Batista’s first as the Chamber’s President and CEO since he assumed the position in October. Batista delivered an address to the audience focused on promoting new policies and programs that drive growth and opportunities for local businesses, particularly in workforce development, tourism and small business services.
“Brooklyn’s business community has driven the borough’s emergence as an economic and cultural force, and the Chamber’s Winter Gala is a celebration of that. As New York’s economy continues to evolve, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce will advocate for businesses and help them adapt to the changing landscape,” said Batista.
Pat Kiernan, morning anchor for NY1, emceed the evening and helped present several awards to top leaders in Brooklyn’s business community. This included Domenick Cama, President and Chief Operating Officer, Investors Bank; Sid Davidoff, Senior Partner, Davidoff, Hutcher & Citron LLP; and Eladia Causil-Rodriguez, Founder and Owner of Eladia’s Kids.
The event featured great food, speakers and an excellent opportunity to meet, mingle and network with business and civic leader.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Batista is a graduate of Brooklyn’s St. Francis College with a degree in political science, and began his career in economic-development roles, including service as a senior policy advisor to the Brooklyn borough president.
In a city-wide post, he was the chief operating officer of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. In the private sector, he ran external relations for Jeffrey M. Brown Associates, a construction-management firm. In the non-profit realm, he served as executive vice president of the American Cancer Society and CEO of the Vocational Foundation, which helps disadvantaged young adults.
Most recently, Batista was the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City where in his eight years at the helm, he expanded the group’s programs and fundraising, as well as doubling the number of youths served, to more than 5,200 annually across the five boroughs. He grew the organization’s on-the-ground footprint too, opening new offices in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.
