Brooklyn's Progress
December 2006/January 2007

BY HAROLD EGELN

On Dec. 7 the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce marked the end of an era when an estimated 600 Members, community and government leaders, and well-wishers gathered at El Caribe Country Club, Mill Basin to pay tribute to former Chamber President Kenneth Adams. The Brooklyn-style gala honored Mr. Adams’ work and commitment to the Brooklyn business community and economic development. The event, which doubled as a send-off, marked the culmination of Mr. Adams’s 11 years leading the Brooklyn Chamber and the start of his tenure as president and chief operating officer of The Business Council of New York State, Inc., which began Nov. 1.

"Thank you all for coming to celebrate all that Kenneth Adams has done for Brooklyn. No one can ever take his place," said Mark Kessler, Interim President/ Chief Operating Officer, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, who worked with Mr. Adams on and off over a period of 17 years. "Wherever former Chamber staffers go, they make an impact, influenced by Kenneth's leadership."

During his time at the Brooklyn Chamber an estimated 85 staff people passed through the organization’s doors. Those who have moved on have successful careers in workforce and economic development, journalism, financial services and international relations to name a few.

"Kenneth has had a phenomenal tenure at the Brooklyn Chamber," said Dan Holt, Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, who presented the Chamber's Leadership and Public Service Award to Mr. Adams. "My good surprise is that we had Kenneth for 11 years. That's like a lifetime. We had the right man at the right place at the right time."

Under Mr. Adams’s watch the Chamber’s membership doubled, services were significantly increased and ten economic development initiatives were born, making the Chamber a model for the city, state and in some cases, the nation (to learn more about Kenneth’s work at the Chamber, click here).

"His compassion, conviction and civility stand out," said Rick Russo, Vice President, Business Services, Brooklyn Chamber, who is also  the Director of the Brooklyn Business Solutions Center. He added, "Kenneth is a powerhouse. His success is Brooklyn's success."

During his remarks Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said Mr. Adams will take Brooklyn-style leadership to the Business Council. "You're going to razzle and dazzle them in Albany."

“Kenneth has truly made this Chamber the envy of New York State," said the Borough President nodding at the staff from The Business Council who traveled from Albany to participate in the event. "With his departure, Ken Adams immediately becomes one of Brooklyn's finest exports," he added. 

"Tonight is not just a celebration of Kenneth Adams and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, but for everything that's been accomplished in Brooklyn since Kenneth has been Chamber President," said Daniel Doctoroff, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding for the City of New York, addressing the crowd that included Mr. Adams’ family.

"In the past decade there's been more new construction in Brooklyn than in Manhattan. New industries are flourishing in Brooklyn. Nobody deserves more credit than Kenneth Adams and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce," said Deputy Mayor Doctoroff who quipped about the word “Brooklyn” being attached to nearly every economic development program started at the Chamber – Brooklyn Eats™, Brooklyn HealthWorks, BKLYN DESIGNS™ and Brooklyn Goes Global, to name a few (to learn about these and other Chamber programs, click here).
 
New York City Council Members Dominic Recchia, Mike Nelson, Vincent Gentile and Lewis Fidler represented the Council and Speaker Christine Quinn. New York State Assembly Members Joseph Lentol and Nick Perry presented Mr. Adams with a pair of boxing gloves from Gleason’s Gym, signed by members of the Brooklyn delegation to the Assembly. Others, including Assembly Member Joan Millman, State Senator Marty Golden, Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes, attended the pre-dinner reception.

"Tonight is a celebration of a great organization that has been here in Brooklyn since 1918," said Mr. Adams, 46, as he took the podium.  "I thank all the Chamber Members, Chamber Committees and Chamber Board for all their hard work. The glue that makes it work so well is in the office, the Chamber of Commerce staff. Mark is doing a fantastic job as the Interim Chamber President," he said.

As Mr. Adams ended his remarks, his emotions evident, the audience rose cheering and applauding. Soon after, much of the audience joined Mr. Adams on the dance floor.

Gift bags for the evening were filled with Mr. Adams' favorite afternoon snack – dark roast coffee and pound cake, courtesy of Hena Coffee and Shakoor's Sweet Tooth (both Chamber Members, of course).

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THANK YOU EL CARIBE!

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce salutes Phil Kelly, Jr., and the staff of the El Caribe Country Club, Mill Basin for impeccable service and the outstanding execution of the 89th Annual Dinner Dance.

If you are planning an event consider El Caribe! To learn more about El Caribe visit http://www.elcaribecaterers.com/ or call 718-531-1200.

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