Brooklyn's Progress
October/November 2006

Alexander Rivera has been named the new Ombudsman for the Downtown Brooklyn Advisory and Oversight Committee (DBAOC), an affiliate of the Brooklyn Alliance, the nonprofit, economic development arm of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.  In this position, Alex will represent the DBAOC and carry out the Committee’s primary mission of maximizing the levels of participation by Brooklyn-based minority and women owned businesses, as well as local workers, in new construction projects in Downtown Brooklyn.

Before joining the DBAOC on July 6, Alex was the Director of Corporate Relations for the Brooklyn office of the American Cancer Society (ACS), where he developed and implemented fundraising strategies, expanded its corporate volunteer base, and sold employee health and wellness programs to local worksites. Prior to joining the ACS, Alex held positions as a Child Protective Specialist with the NYC Administration for Children’s Services and Assistant Director of Economic Development Programs for the Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation.

Alex received his Bachelors in Criminal Justice from St. John’s University, and completed the Community Economic Development Internship at Pratt Institute.  He was born and raised in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn and currently resides in Richmond Hill, Queens with his wife and four year-old daughter.

“I am extremely delighted to be returning to the world of economic development and look forward to working with the minority and women business community to ensure inclusion in the renaissance of Downtown Brooklyn.”

In 1988, former Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden and Downtown Brooklyn elected officials established the DBAOC, which is comprised of representatives appointed by these elected officials. 

Alex Rivera will based in the Chamber’s office at 25 Elm Place and may be reached at 718-875-1000 ext. 140, or at arivera@brooklynchamber.com.