Nonprofit executive Hector Batista is the new CEO and president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. The former CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters NYC is the first Hispanic president to serve in the organization's 100-year history and succeeds Andrew Hoan who departed in May.
"We are excited to bring Hector on board as he has the experience and enthusiasm needed to move the chamber forward with its programming and economic development initiatives," said Ana Oliveira, co-chair of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. "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."
As New York's largest and fastest-growing chamber, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce promotes economic development across the borough. Batista will lead all three arms of the organization, including its nonprofit branch, the Brooklyn Alliance, and its community development financial institution, Brooklyn Alliance Capital Inc.
"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.
He began his career in the Brooklyn Borough President's office. There, over the course of nine years, he served as director of real estate for the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation, director of economic development, and director of development and finance. He was later appointed by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani to serve as deputy commissioner and CFO of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. He also served as executive vice president of the New York Metropolitan Region of the American Cancer Society.
"It's as if my career has come full circle having started in economic development at the Brooklyn Borough President's office," said Batista. "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."
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