Brooklyn's Progress
August/September 2006

BY KHADIJA BATUTA

Members, excellent customer service and more Members!  This is what Darryl Hollon was all about when it came to his role as Vice President of Membership at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.  After laying the groundwork over the past two years for the Brooklyn Chamber to take its next leap in membership, Darryl retired from the organization on June 30.

“I have really enjoyed the Chamber – this is my second go-round – and truly appreciate our Members who make this organization what it is.  I feel confident that the Chamber is poised for phenomenal growth and am proud to have been part of that effort,” said Darryl.

Steady Growth for Membership
Darryl joined the Chamber’s Membership department in March 2004, after 28 years with Con Edison working in customer service, public affairs and economic development.  Darryl steadfastly led the drive for growth in membership during his tenure resulting in a nearly 20% gain in new Members by instituting innovative marketing campaigns, utilizing Chamber staff more effectively and supporting Members’ efforts individually and through the renewed Membership Marketing Committee.

This was not the first time the Chamber has benefited from Darryl’s positive enthusiasm and energy.  In 1997 he applied for Con Edison’s Management Intern Program and was selected as an on-loan executive for the Chamber’s Manager of Member Services.  At that time under President Kenneth Adams’ new leadership, the Chamber experienced exponential growth nearly doubling its membership.  Darryl assisted in that effort by helping to organize an outreach campaign that significantly increased Member retention for the organization.

“While Darryl’s departure is a huge loss for the Chamber, we all, of course, wish him well,” said Brooklyn Chamber President Kenneth Adams.  “Darryl has worked so hard to build up Chamber membership, to recruit new Members, to increase retention, to improve Member services, and to create a blueprint for continued growth and success that really works.  He has done a truly unbelievable job.  I also happen to think he is a wonderful, extremely positive, smart, funny, thoughtful and caring person – and I suspect that’s what many of us will miss the most.”

A lifelong Brooklynite and current resident of Flatbush, Darryl serves on the boards of several local organizations including the Local Development Corporation of East New York, the Greenpoint YMCA and Brooklyn Community Housing & Services.  For his next career step, Darryl is looking to remain active in Brooklyn and to get involved in economic development.

Staying the Course
Rosalie Rance, who joined the Chamber in May as its Vice President of Marketing & Development, is heading up the Membership department as its Vice President of Membership & Marketing as of July 31.

“There isn’t anywhere in Brooklyn one could go with Darryl without hearing someone call his name or thank him for a job well done.  Darryl has left big shoes for me to fill, but I am looking forward to the challenge,” said Rosalie.  “I share Darryl’s energy and enthusiasm for our Chamber Members and aim to use his example to build a rapport with the membership.  In my new role as V.P. of Membership & Marketing, I’m eager to learn about our Members’ goals to help them connect to the resources they need to succeed.  I’m also excited about the new direction of the Membership Marketing Committee and look forward to working with our volunteers and chair Lisa Bing.”

“Darryl made it easy for me to get involved with my work on the committee because of his energy and enthusiasm; he draws you in and creates excitement that is infectious,” said Board member and Membership Marketing Committee Chair Lisa Bing, Bing Consulting Group, Inc.  “Working with Darryl, we sharpened the focus and mission of the committee, which we renamed the Membership Marketing Committee, and developed a more action-oriented meeting format that helps our volunteers get more involved in the process.”

Ms. Bing is excited about continuing to move the committee forward working with the Chamber’s new Membership V.P.  “We want to tap into the marketing expertise of our volunteers and leverage external marketing resources by inviting guest speakers to talk about strategies, concepts and opportunities available to us.  We want to create some aggressive marketing strategies to target specific segments that will help to grow Chamber membership,” Ms. Bing added.

Members interested in supporting the Chamber’s growth by volunteering on the Membership Marketing Committee may contact Rosalie Rance at 718-875-1000 ext. 148, or at rrance@brooklynchamber.com.