Brooklyn's Progress
July 2003

Michael Burke, former Chief of Staff for Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, has joined the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce as director of The Downtown Brooklyn Council (DBC), an advocacy group representing a range of corporate, academic and cultural institutions in the community.  DBC is an affiliate of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

In his new position, Mr. Burke will be responsible for a variety of economic development activities in Downtown Brooklyn.  One of his primary tasks will be to work on promoting the recently released plan for Downtown Brooklyn.  That plan, which was released last in April by Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff and calls for the investment of $100 million in public funds to prepare the area for new development, was jointly developed by DBC, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and New York City Department of City Planning.

“Michael is intimately familiar with the Downtown Brooklyn Redevelopment Plan and with the many people and organizations involved in preparing it and moving it through the upcoming public approval process,” said Kenneth Adams, President of the Brooklyn Chamber.  “We all look forward to Michael working with our team.”

“Michael is an outstanding talent who has the perfect background and experience to help foster growth of the commercial, residential and cultural infrastructure in Downtown Brooklyn,” said Robert Catell, Chairman of DBC.

“During my time as Borough President, Michael Burke has played a very important role in everything that has gone on here at Borough Hall,” Borough President Markowitz said.  “He was a pleasure to work with and a superb manager of staff.  His dedication and determination to creating an even more exciting and dynamic Brooklyn, especially while working to help create the newly announced Downtown Brooklyn development plan, is why this is absolutely the perfect job for him.  While everybody will certainly miss his presence at Borough Hall, he is just moving across the street.  And we will still be working closely together for the next several years to make Downtown Brooklyn the best downtown in America.  Like a dad would say to his kid - you done good!”
 
“This is an exciting time for Brooklyn and I’m looking forward to working with the Administration to ensure that the Downtown area plays a key role in the economic resurgence of New York City,” said Mr. Burke.  “Downtown Brooklyn is already one of the three largest business hubs in New York, and it has an incredibly bright future full of opportunity.”

Mr. Burke replaces Jim Whelan, who left the Chamber and Council to head up the Hudson Yards Coalition.  “Jim was a pleasure to work with and an invaluable colleague.  We wish him well in all his future endeavors,” Mr. Adams added.

Previously, Mr. Burke’s career included serving as Government Operations Director and Development and Budget Director for Borough President Howard Golden, and Vice President in community and housing development matters for Chemical Bank and Manufacturers Hanover Trust.  Michael received his Bachelors in Political Science from Columbia College, and a Masters in Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.  Born in North Dakota, Michael grew up in Wisconsin before moving to New York City in 1982 to attend Columbia College.  He has lived in Park Slope, Brooklyn since 1987.