Brooklyn's Progress
June/July 2007

BY KHADIJA BATUTA

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Jill Sheehy and Ken Varga have joined the organization.

Jill Sheehy came on board at the Chamber on Apr. 25 as the new editor/writer of Brooklyn’s Progress.  In this newly created role, Jill joins Vice President Leticia Theodore-Greene and Director of Online Resources Khadija Batuta in the communications and government affairs department.  Jill hit the ground running turning in the cover story for the April/May Brooklyn’s Progress, and officially makes her debut with this June/July issue.

“Jill is a great addition to our team and I am confident she will continue to build upon the improvements that already have been made to the Progress,” stated Ms. Theodore-Greene.  “Our Members and the Brooklyn business community can look forward to stories that are meaningful and relevant.  The combination of Jill’s excitement about the Chamber and her wealth of experience means the 26,000 businesses that receive our paper are in for a treat.”

Prior to joining the Chamber, Jill served as deputy editor of the Irish Echo Newspaper, a national weekly that covers news from Irish America and beyond.

Under her watch, the Echo began publishing in Ireland for the first time in its 80-year history and was expanded to include updated sections on style, careers and real estate. A graduate of Queens College, Jill received her B.A. in Sociology.

“I am excited to get to work on the Progress,” said Jill. “Brooklyn’s development has hardly hit its stride, and I hope to take a deeper look into some of the implications that are in store for the borough’s business community. Between Brooklyn’s astounding growth and the Chamber’s expanding menu of business resources and Member services, there will be no shortage of news coming our way.” 

When Jill isn’t busy writing, editing and photographing stories for Brooklyn’s Progress, she enjoys knitting, sewing, cooking and refinishing furniture. She’s also an active member of the World Adult Kickball Association (for those of you who don’t know, kickball is similar to baseball except players strike the ball with their feet – as in soccer – instead of with a bat).  A transplant from Queens, Jill currently resides in Greenwood Heights with her husband Paul, a cat, Biscuits, and their lovable yet hapless dog, Seamus.

Jill may be reached at 718-875-1000 ext. 129, or at jsheehy@brooklynchamber.com.

Membership Team Addition
The Chamber welcomed Ken Varga as its new membership representative on Mar. 20.  Ken is responsible for enrolling, educating and welcoming new Members to the Chamber.  Prior to assuming this newly created role in the marketing & membership department under Vice President Rosalie Rance, Ken freelanced in the department assisting with administrative duties.

A graduate from Brooklyn College with a B.A. in Film Production and related work experience, this position is an interesting career development for this resident of Park Slope.

“I never expected to be working at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce,” explained Ken.  “But a very positive work environment, high quality individuals plus the opportunity to use certain creative skills sold me.  It's a great place to be!”

Ken has ambitious acquisition goals at the Chamber with the purpose of building the organization’s strength as a resource for its Members and as a strong voice for the larger Brooklyn business community. 

Ken may be reached at 718-875-1000 ext. 133, or at kvarga@brooklynchamber.com. 

Other Staff News
The Brooklyn Chamber would like to congratulate Tondalaya London and Melissa Chapman who received promotions in May.  Tondalaya is now the Workforce Development Coordinator for the Good Help staffing and employment program, and Melissa is the membership department’s new Member Information Coordinator.