Michael Happel has over 30 years of experience investing in real estate, including acquisitions of office, retail, multifamily, industrial, and hotel properties. Including 25 Kent, Brooklyn’s first ground-up, speculative commercial and manufacturing building in 40 years. Offering unobstructed views of Bushwick Inlet Park, East River, and Manhattan skyline

Mr. Happel received a B.A. in economics from Duke University in 1985 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1988.

Originally from Alabama, Dr. Love completed her undergraduate education at the University of Alabama, where she graduated summa cum laude. She received her Doctor of Medicine from Emory University School of Medicine, after which she moved to New York to complete residency training at The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology. She served as chief of aesthetics during her final year.

Elyse is a fitness enthusiast that lives in Williamsburg and has completed the NYC marathon twice.

Kate Bernstein is a two-time Emmy Award-winning television producer and writer. Kate graduated Summa Cum Laude from Swarthmore College with a B.A. in Film and Cultural Studies. She received an M.A. in Cinema Studies at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Kate was born in Moscow, Russia, and raised in Southern Brooklyn. She’s been a proud resident of Williamsburg since 1999, and has raised her two children in the neighborhood.

Co-founded Grovehouse, a hospitality company in Brooklyn. Sean helped usher in Williamsburg’s foodie staples – Lilia & Misi- both of which received three stars from The New York Times.

Sean joined the NBK Parks board in 2022. He also sits on the board of the Food Education Fund, a nonprofit organization supporting NYC high school students through experiential learning in culinary arts, hospitality, and entrepreneurship. And is a co-founding member of the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) & Relief Opportunities for All Restaurants (ROAR), both started in 2020 to help save the restaurant industry and protect those who work in it.

Sean grew up on the Jersey Shore and currently lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn with his bride Maria and their 3 children

David Lombino is a director at Two Trees Management. He oversees the development pipeline for the Dumbo-based company. His current projects include the redevelopment of the Domino Sugar Factory in Williamsburg and the development of BAM South in Downtown Brooklyn. Two Trees also developed and co-owns the Wythe Hotel. Previously David served as executive vice president at the New York City Economic Development Corporation under Mayor Bloomberg. He is the former city editor of the New York Sun newspaper. A native New Yorker, David now lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Heather, and their two children.

Keith Berger is a director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and has lived in Williamsburg since 2008. He enjoys spending time on the waterfront and is excited to see our parks improve. Keith is a member of the board of directors and a past chair for Urban Pathways, a homeless services non-for-profit in New York City.

Jane Pool is a soccer mom who has resided in Greenpoint for more than 15 years. She is a co-owner of Excello Recording Studio in Williamsburg and as such, has organized several events (including a Patti Smith concert) for the Greenpoint Williamsburg Waterfront Task Force. In addition to serving on the NBK Parks board, Jane is on the board of the Firehouse, North Brooklyn Neighbors, and the PTA at PS 132 in Williamsburg.

Ward Dennis is a partner at Higgins Quasebarth & Partners, a preservation consulting firm based in New York City. In addition to serving on the NBK Parks board, Ward is a board member and former co-chair of North Brooklyn Neighbors, and a founding member of Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park and the Waterfront Preservation Alliance. From 2003 until 2012 he served on Community Board 1 in Brooklyn. Participating in the ad hoc task force for the 2005 waterfront zoning. A neighborhood resident since 1993, Ward lives in Williamsburg with his wife, Carol, and two children.

Doug Steiner spearheaded the rehabilitation of the Navy Yard back in 1999. Converting his “little” corner of the former shipyard into an enormous, state-of-the-art film studio. Over a decade later, the studio shows no signs of slowing down, hosting blockbuster productions, creating educational partnerships with both Brooklyn College and Carnegie Mellon, and setting an aggressive goal of creating 6,000 jobs over the next decade.