Brooklyn's Progress
November 2004

Members of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce elected Daniel E. Holt, Co-Publisher for Courier-Life, as the organization’s new chairman, along with a number of other officers and new board members.

“It is with great pride and honor that I accept the position of chair of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce,” Dan Holt said.  “I look forward to continuing the tradition of the Chamber of promoting business and the community.  Because, what’s good for Brooklyn, is good for New York City, is good for New York State.”

Dan Holt has 25 years of service with Courier-Life Publications.  As Co-Publisher, he is responsible for more than 30 community and ethnic newspapers as well as specialty magazine, which are distributed throughout the New York metropolitan area.  Courier-Life Publications is Brooklyn based and employs more than 150 employees.  It has a combined circulation exceeding 300,000 copies weekly.

Mr. Holt is the president of the Association of Military Contract Newspapers and he has received commendations for distinguished service from the United States Army.  In 1977, Mr. Holt was named Honorary Civilian Recruiter of the Year.

Dan Holt has acted as a catalyst for positive change in his community.  In addition to serving as a member and vice chair for the Brooklyn Chamber Board of Directors and chairing its Government Affairs Committee, he is also chairman of the Board of Trustees for ASA Institute.  He has worked to improve conditions in the City of New York in conjunction with several local chapters of the American Red Cross, Metropolitan Marketing Consultants, and the New York State Business Council.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Dan Holt moved to New York nearly 30 years ago.  He and his wife Rosemary have five children, Rebecca, Jessica, Dana, Andrew and John. 

Mr. Holt succeeds Alan H. Fishman, President & CEO of Independence Community Bank Corp. As chairman, Mr. Holt will help direct the Brooklyn Chamber’s economic development programs to stimulate growth and development for the 1,200 Chamber Members and the borough.  The Chamber chairman’s term is for two years.

“My warmest congratulations to Dan Holt upon his election.  Dan and his firm have been strong supporters of the Chamber over many years," Alan Fishman said.  “I know he will continue to make the Chamber a valuable partner for every Brooklyn business.”

“Alan Fishman has done a fantastic job at leading the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce to new heights over the past two years,” said Kenneth Adams, Brooklyn Chamber President.  “We all welcome Dan Holt and look forward to his leadership.”

During the Brooklyn Chamber’s Annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon, Alvin Adelman, Cullen and Dykman Bleakley Platt, LLP, was elected as the new Chamber secretary and Noreen Bishop, JPMorgan Chase, was elected as vice chair.  The Brooklyn Chamber Annual Meeting was held on Wed., Oct. 13 in The Palm House at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.  Sheldon Silver, Speaker of the New York State Assembly gave the keynote address.   

Also during the meeting new board members were elected including:  Kevin O’leary, HSBC Bank USA; Regina S. Peruggi, Kingsborough Community College; Len Caltabiano, North Fork Bank; Russell Hotzler, New York City College of Technology/CUNY and Peter Petino, Active Transport. 

In one of his first roles as new Brooklyn Chamber Chairman, Dan Holt will greet Members at the Nov. 17 Business After Hours (BAH) hosted by Lundy Bros. Restaurant, 1901 Emmons Ave. at Ocean Ave. in Sheepshead Bay.  During the BAH, the Chamber will release its 2004-2005 Brooklyn Business Directory and Buying Guide, which Mr. Holt will sign for Members. 

On Nov. 17, bring a business friend and join for a night of networking in Sheepshead Bay at the world famous Lundy Bros. Restaurant, home of the freshest seafood this side of Brooklyn.   Special membership discounts will be offered for one night only to those who join the Brooklyn Chamber at the BAH.  Come connect with other businesses, find out about the Member-to-Member discount program, soon to launch on ibrooklyn.com.

The BAH is FREE for Chamber Members and $20 for Non-Chamber Members.  For more information, visit the Brooklyn Chamber Web site at ibrooklyn.com.