Brooklyn's Progress
September 2002

After many years of successful leadership as the Chair of the Chamber’s Business Education Committee, Brian Cosgrove, Senior Director of Community Relations for the Security Industry Automation Corporation (SIAC), has passed the chair to Marianne Teta, Director of Community Development for Verizon and Dominic Mascara, Chief Marketing Officer of Health Plus. Teta and Mascara will collaborate as chair and co-chair of the Committee. Teta says, “ Brian was the inspiration for much of the work I do as a Community School Board member.” Cosgrove has agreed to continue to play an active role in the committee. On July 24th, the new Chair and Co-Chair convened the first meeting of the summer in anticipation of the new school year, which begins on September 06, 2002. Twenty-three Chamber volunteers attended the meeting. The committee agreed to draft a mission statement to focus its efforts. The Committee also formed three sub-committees. Dr. Salvatore Ferrera, President of Xaverian High School, agreed to Chair a sub-committee that will focus on ways in which Chamber volunteers can effectively support the students and faculty. Antonia Yuille-Williams, Director of Brooklyn/Queens Public Affairs for Con Edison, agreed to Chair a sub-committee that focuses on parental support and involvement. And, Mark Kessler, Vice President of Program Development for the Brooklyn Chamber Commerce, agreed to lead a sub-committee to develop a website to support the Business Education Committee’s efforts. The Committee looks forward to creating active partnerships with public and private schools throughout the Borough. They held their second meeting on August 22nd. Teta is looking forward to an active season, but stresses “more businesses are needed if the Committee is going to bring additional resources to its partner schools.” All chamber business members are invited to join the committee. If you are interested, please RSVP at BizEd@brooklynchamber.com, or call Tiffany Antoine at the Chamber offices, (718) 975-1000 ext. 109.