B’nai B’rith International has selected Brett Yormark, CEO of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center, to receive its Distinguished Achievement Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of key community and corporate leaders from around the world.
The award ceremony will take place on Oct. 6, 2014, at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City.
“It’s an honor to bestow the Distinguished Achievement Award on Brett Yormark. In the short time that the Nets and Barclays Center have been in Brooklyn, Yormark and the organization have quickly and impressively established themselves as an indelible leader in the community,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said.
Since he joined the Nets in 2005, Yormark’s mission has been to make it the most accessible, inventive, fan-friendly and community-active team in sports. As CEO, Yormark spearheaded the Nets’ relocation from New Jersey, highlighted by the popular “Hello Brooklyn” marketing campaign—a multifaceted effort that built a connection between the borough and its new home team, capturing the attitude, pride and history of Brooklyn.
Yormark also oversees all facets of Barclays Center, including operations, event programming, sales and marketing. Under Yormark’s leadership, Barclays Center has redefined the arena customer service and culinary experience. Its more than 2,000 employees are trained by Disney Institute, the business advisory arm of The Walt Disney Company, and its BrooklynTaste food program features selections from 55 well-known restaurants and vendors in the borough.
Brett Yormark
With its strong link to Brooklyn and the surrounding area, the Nets and Barclays Center are extremely active in the community, having participated in more than 100 community events and donated 4,500 tickets to non-profits over the past year. Special community events have included the entire Nets team serving a Thanksgiving meal to service men and women at historic Fort Hamilton, as well as Barclays Center hosting a Back to School Jam for 500 children and their parents.
“I am honored to join an impressive and long list of Distinguished Achievement Award recipients,” Yormark said. “B’nai B’rith is a true champion for communities everywhere with its inspirational and relentless work to make the world a better place. The Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center are proud to serve as a pillar of strength for the local community and I am privileged to lead these efforts.”
In addition to the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center community initiatives, Yormark started the Yormark Family Foundation to help re-develop basketball courts at Boys & Girls Clubs in Brooklyn. He also sits on the board of the City Parks Foundation to help improve our vital outdoor spaces.
More recently, Yormark was instrumental in creating a partnership group that secured the winning bid to renovate and operate the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island, N.Y. Upon completion of renovations in 2017, the venue will host more than 300 events annually, and will also include an outdoor performance park, family friendly entertainment and community activities.
“It’s clear that when discussing the sports entertainment industry, Brett and the Brooklyn Nets are at the forefront,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “Brett and the Nets are not only leaders and innovators, but have also demonstrated a commitment to the community that has resulted in an overwhelmingly positive impact on Brooklyn and its residents—exactly what B’nai B’rith looks for in a Distinguished Achievement Award winner.”
For more than four decades, B’nai B’rith has presented the Distinguished Achievement Award in recognition of the accomplishments of key community and corporate leaders around the world. These exceptional individuals and companies are honored for their community service, dedicated leadership and commitment to improving the lives of the individuals they serve.
