Small Business Administration calls Hoan ‘Small Business Champion’

Outgoing Chamber of Commerce president honored by fed gov’t

April 10, 2018 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Andrew Hoan was cited by the U.S. Small Business Administration for his advocacy. Eagle file photo by Arthur DeGaeta

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Andrew Hoan is leaving his post as president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce next month, but he is receiving a nod from the federal government as he heads for the exit.

Hoan has been named by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as its New York District 2018 Small Business Champion.

Hoan will be presented with his award at a ceremony marking Small Business Week on May 1 at the Microsoft Technology Center in Times Square. Small Business Week in the U.S. takes place from April 29 to May 5.

Hoan was chosen for the award for several reasons, including his work to improve conditions for small business, his role as an adviser to small business groups and his advocacy, according to SBA.

Beth Goldberg, director of SBA’s New York district office, praised Hoan’s work and the Chamber of Commerce.

“The Chamber works tirelessly on behalf of small business and innovates across the board to help New York City small businesses succeed and grow,” Goldberg said in a statement.

The administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration is Linda McMahon, who holds a cabinet-level position in the Trump administration.

Among Hoan’s accomplishments that caught the eye of SBA was the creation of Brooklyn Alliance Capital, a program that gives minority and immigrant business owners with limited access to financing a chance to obtain loans.

Hoan also secured a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to establish the first economic development plan for Brooklyn in two decades, SBA officials said.

In addition, Hoan spearheaded the chamber of commerce’s new employer-led training program for workers in the metalworking industry.

Last month, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce announced Hoan’s plans to leave his position in May. Hoan and his family are relocating outside out of New York, according to the official BCC announcement.

Hoan has had a busy few months as he prepares to leave he chamber. He hosted a gala celebration at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge on Feb. 19 to mark the Chamber’s 100th anniversary.

Founded in 1918, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is the largest chamber of commerce in New York state, boasting more than 2,100 member businesses, from large corporations to small, mom and pop stores.

The Chamber works to promote Brooklyn as a great place to do business and serves as a voice for the business community with elected officials at the city, state and federal levels.

Under Hoan’s leadership, the chamber has also undertaken studies to look at ways to boost Brooklyn’s economy.

One report, “The Next 100 Years,” presented a series of ideas on how to help Brooklyn grow jobs and improve transportation and housing in the 21st century.