Brooklyn's Progress
October/November 2007

BY JILL D’AMICO

Mark Kessler managed to find his way back to Brooklyn, and Brooklyn will be sad to see him leave once more.

After moving to Long Island as a teenager, Mr. Kessler, who was born and raised in Flatbush, came to the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce in 1995. And now, after leading the Chamber through a transitional year, he will be leaving to take a position with the Business Council of New York State.

Looking Back
Upon first arriving, Mr. Kessler threw himself into the hum of the Chamber. Working alongside former President Kenneth Adams and as Director of Administrative Services, the two helped to rebuild the organization’s Member base and improve its relations with the community and local elected officials. He soon rose to Vice President of Member Services, where he found his niche.

“My mission was to focus the Chamber on the needs of the businesses that drive the Brooklyn economy – the small business throughout the borough and the other businesses that serve and support them,” said Mr. Kessler.

Doubling membership doesn’t happen overnight. Mr. Kessler worked tirelessly on new programs, initiatives, and efforts to bolster the Chamber’s cachet and influence.

“We asked people what they needed and we gave it to them,” he said with a smile. “We provided and they responded. I hope the Brooklyn Chamber will continue to be the articulate voice of the Brooklyn business community, and am sure that will happen under Carl Hum’s leadership.”

Not content to only wear one hat, Mr. Kessler dabbled in many aspects of the Chamber.

He spearheaded the development of the Chamber’s infrastructure and award-winning Web site, ibrooklyn.com. He also worked on a deal to expand the content and circulation of the Chamber’s newspaper, Brooklyn’s Progress, from 8,000 to 26,000, transforming it from a newsletter to Brooklyn’s business publication of note.

In his new role as Vice President of Member Services, Mr. Kessler will be welcomed with open arms. Mr. Adams was named President and CEO of the Business Council of New York State a year ago, and welcomed the chance to work with an old friend.

“I look forward to working with Mark once again. Mark has a great feel for business associations like the Brooklyn Chamber and the Business Council – for making sure our members are being heard, being served and getting value,” said Mr. Adams.

Mr. Kessler won’t be far removed from Brooklyn in his newest position. He will maintain a presence in New York City while working with the Business Council in Albany.

An Accomplished Term
One of his pet projects, Mr. Kessler worked tirelessly to bring Brooklyn HealthWorks to fruition. The Chamber’s low cost, small business health insurance initiative, which is currently reopening for enrollment, was in response to one of the most pressing issues Mr. Kessler encountered while working with Members.

“I was given the opportunity to work on something people have tried before, but was not insolvable” said Mr. Kessler. “Maybe I was more stubborn.”

“He understands needs and has broad programmatic experience when it comes to Member services, events and educational activities,” agreed Mr. Adams.

In a coup for Mr. Kessler and the Chamber, Brooklyn Health Works was provided permanent funding by Governor George Pataki in 2006. That initiative is one of the specific programs Mr. Kessler hopes to expand Upstate with the Business Council.

How Can We Help You?
Mr. Kessler cultivated much of the Chamber’s focus on Member services, and hopes that tradition continues in his absence.

“It’s all about the Members,” he said. “Our success has been based on their enthusiastic support and involvement, and they are willing to work very hard to help the Chamber to succeed, and will continue to do so if the staff continues to work hard to ensure their success.”

The staff he leaves behind is well-positioned to continue that hard work.

“In the continuation of the spirit I experienced under Mark’s leadership, he has the courage to constantly take himself and life on, seeking ways to grow and learn and apply his skills,” said Rosalie Rance, vice president of marketing and membership at the Chamber. “I’m thrilled to learn he will be going on to another challenging career – he deserves the success and opportunity – as this is something he has always provided his employees at the Chamber.”

Looking Ahead
Mr. Kessler will carry what he learned at the Chamber with him in his next endeavor, such as that of resolve.

“Our Members have taught me perseverance,” he said. ”I have never worked with such a determined and committed community. They have taught me not to quit, to keep trying until I get it right.”
 
His challenge is to now get to know the 3,100+ members of the Business Council, and find ways to serve them better. He welcomed the challenge, which he called on a “larger, more diverse scale.”

“As we build capacity and strengthen the Business Council – which is essentially the state chamber – Mark will be a helpful and valued partner,” predicted Mr. Adams.

Mr. Kessler will also be responsible for implementing an Upstate pilot program of the successful Brooklyn HealthWorks model that he helped to create while at the Chamber.

Experience Across the Board
Mr. Kessler has a varied breadth of experience. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Long Island University’s C.W. Post Campus, he worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of the Philippines, been a small business owner, helped establish not-for-profits, developed curriculum for adult students and trained teachers and counselors working in adult education centers, prisons and residential drug programs.

He also was the assistant director of New York Cares, the largest volunteer management organization in New York City.

He lives with his partner, Cheryl Avellanet.