Carl Hum, Director, Mayor’s Office of Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses, Tapped as New President of Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

After an eight-month search the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce has tapped Carl Hum to lead the 1,500-Member business services and economic development organization. Mr. Hum will assume his new post September 4, 2007.

Mr. Hum is already deep in preparation for his new position and has begun working to connect with the Chamber community.

“One of the trademarks of any competent leader is the ability to listen. As president and CEO, I am eager to meet with the Chamber’s Board members, the energetic Chamber staff, our important sister economic development organizations and other vital borough stakeholders to understand their points of view,” he said. “At the end of the day, leading is all about building consensus, strengthening relationships and building partnerships.”

“I am delighted about Carl coming on board as the new Chamber president. This is a phenomenal organization with a firm foundation for him to build on,” said Brooklyn Chamber Chairman Daniel Holt of Courier Life Publications. “Carl has proven himself thoughtful, demonstrative, and a qualitative thinker. His experience, enthusiasm and skills will help take the Chamber and the myriad services it provides to new heights.”
 
“I am excited and honored to be leading the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce as it enters its tenth decade of service and leadership to the borough’s business community. Thanks to the great work of the Chamber’s board, membership and staff,” said Mr. Hum. “I look forward to building upon the Chamber’s successes and shaping its agenda to respond to the diverse needs of Brooklyn businesses. I want to thank Dan Holt, the Board and staff for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Mr. Hum succeeds Kenneth Adams who left the Brooklyn Chamber in October 2006 to head The Business Council of New York State. He assumes the helm of the organization from Chief Operating Officer Mark M. Kessler who saw the organization through the transition as interim president.

In January 2005, Mr. Hum was appointed director of the Mayor’s Office of Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Under his direction, the Office created 16 Industrial Business Zones, developed industry-specific tax credits and incentives, and continues to improve inter-agency service delivery to manufacturing and industrial businesses. Mr. Hum’s office also administers the City’s 11 Empire Zones that offer a variety of State tax credits to spur business and job development.

Prior to his appointment by Mayor Bloomberg, Mr. Hum served as chief of staff and special counsel for intergovernmental affairs at the New York City Department of Small Business Services, leading the agency’s day-to-day operations.

Over the last 15 years Mr. Hum has been involved professionally in civic affairs working in all three branches of New York City government. He served as a financial analyst at the New York City Council, studying the impact of the City’s economic development strategy on local communities. He then worked at the South Brooklyn Local Development Corporation as director of economic development, where he spearheaded an employment program to link local residents with jobs in Red Hook’s industrial business community.

In 1997, Mr. Hum was appointed assistant district attorney in New York County, where for nearly six years he prosecuted felony cases, provided legal counsel to police investigations and worked with the Domestic Violence Unit. 

Mr. Hum, a graduate of the New York City public school system, grew up in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. He holds a B.A. degree from Wesleyan University where he graduated with High Honors, and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law where he was a Louis Stein Scholar for Public Interest and Ethics.