Brooklyn's Progress
June/July 2006

BY KHADIJA BATUTA

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Rosalie Rance, Ziv Raizman and Jorge Ovando have joined the staff.

Rosalie Rance became the Chamber’s Vice-President of Marketing & Development on May 1.  In this newly created position, Ms. Rance is responsible for marketing the Chamber and its Member businesses, as well as developing new sponsorship and funding opportunities to support Chamber initiatives.  She will also serve as liaison to the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office with respect to its Brooklyn tourism initiative.

Chamber Publications
In line with the Chamber’s mission to promote growth sectors in Brooklyn’s economy, Ms. Rance will produce various publications of the Chamber including new titles Brooklyn Event Planner and Think Brooklyn! Gift Guide, as well as new editions of Brooklyn @tlas, Brooklyn Business Directory and Buying Guide, the Chamber’s annual report, and more.

“Responding to Members’ requests, I am developing proactive marketing materials,” explained Ms. Rance.  “Publications like Brooklyn @tlas, Brooklyn Event Planner and Think Brooklyn! Gift Guide promote Brooklyn businesses to their specific target markets.  At the moment I'm focusing on the enhanced version of the Brooklyn Business Directory and Buying Guide.”

The new edition of Brooklyn @tlas was released in the spring, and is currently available at Barnes & Noble, Hudson News, Brooklyn Tourism & Visitors Center, NYC & Company Visitor Centers, and local independent bookstores. New Brooklyn residents will receive complimentary copies exclusively through Fillmore Real Estate and all active Chamber Members will receive a complimentary copy as a benefit of their membership.

Ms. Rance also plans to hold periodic business marketing workshops for Brooklyn Chamber Members.

A resident of Bay Ridge, Ms. Rance has been marketing the New York City experience for over a decade increasing revenue, building attendance and developing brand recognition for such iconic New York City destinations as the American Museum of Natural History, the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum and world-renowned Madame Tussaud’s.
 
Prior to joining the Chamber full-time, Ms. Rance served as a marketing consultant to the organization for seven months.  She also previously served as marketing consultant to NYC & Company (New York City’s official Tourism Marketing organization), Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, The Bronx, Harlem, Leisure Pass North America and Brooklyn Borough Hall.

Ms. Rance may be reached at 718-875-1000 ext. 148, or at rrance@brooklynchamber.com.

Finance Department
The Chamber’s Finance Department has two new faces.  Ziv Raizman came on board on May 17 as Accounts Payable Accountant.  A recent graduate of Queens College, CUNY, where he earned his Bachelors in Accounting and Economics, the Chamber is Mr. Raizman’s first full-time position within his field of study.

Born in Israel, Mr. Raizman currently resides in Kew Gardens, Queens.  However, he had a connection with Brooklyn prior to joining the Chamber.  While studying at college, he worked with his cousin’s construction business on the new Brooklyn Marriott hotel wing during which he developed a taste for Brooklyn’s fine Caribbean cuisine.

Jorge Ovando rounds out the Finance Department as its Accounts Receivable Accountant.  Prior to joining the Chamber on May 30, Mr. Ovando worked as an accountant in the health care industry.  Also a graduate of Queens College, CUNY, with a Bachelors in Accounting, he resides in Rockaway Beach, Queens.

Mr. Raizman may be contacted at 718-875-1000 ext. 110, or at zraizman@brooklynchamber.com.  Mr. Ovando is at ext. 137, or at jovando@brooklynchamber.com.

Other Staff News
After two years with the Chamber, Joe Kochanski, former Accounts Payable Accountant, left the Chamber on May 19 in pursuit of…love.  Although sorry to see him depart, the Chamber sends hearty congratulations to Joe, a native of Ireland, and his fiancée Laura, as they prepare for their wedding and their new lives together in her native Blackpool, England.