Board Elections & Proxies

May 10, 2024
4 min read

Updated: May 16, 2024

Our Annual Meeting and Election will be held in the 59 Pineapple Street Lobby at 6:30pm on May 16th 2024.

Election Monitors: Morris Barrett (6E) & Aaron Lanou (5E)

We are still seeking one additional volunteer for the board.

Proxy Representative on the Election Form is for those unable to attend our Annual Meeting in person.

Please download and fill out the form to return via email to fiftyninepineapple@gmail.com or in person to someone who plans to attend the meeting such as our election monitors or Filippo. The management company, Adventure Properties, is also able to accept completed proxy ballots ahead of the annual meeting.

Here are your current candidates for the Board of Directors 2024: UPDATED May 13th 2024

Gillian Connell

Gillian Connell joined the 59 Pineapple Street community in 2015 when she bought 3B. She has enjoyed living in the building and, in more recent years, has subletted her unit out while still living nearby in Brooklyn with her dogs and boyfriend. Professionally, Gillian is a city planner who spent 10 years working at the City's Economic Development Corporation planning for and implementing large scale neighborhood redevelopment projects. Currently, Gillian works at the New York City Housing Authority where she leads the Real Estate Development department's Asset Management team, which oversees a portfolio of 20,000+ public housing apartments that have transitioned to private management across the 5 boroughs. Her team's oversight of the portfolio includes monitoring private property managers performance in terms of building maintenance and repairs, legal proceedings, and financial performance. Gillian is happy to offer her support to the 59 Pineapple community as a member-at-large.

David Dinolfo 4BC (write-in)

David Dinolfo, a resident of 59 Pineapple Street for 37 years, is running for the Board of Directors. With a background as a professional dancer and a career in social work, David combines artistic sensitivity with community-focused service. Known for his commitment to clear communication, he aims to foster a connected, supportive atmosphere among residents. Having previously served on the building’s board and as president, he understands the complexities of management and values the importance of community. David envisions using technology to enhance transparency and communication, contributing his deep knowledge of the building and neighborhood to the community’s next phase of development.

David Drake 1EF

My name is David Drake. My wife Maki and I are the owners of 1EF in our building and have lived here since July 2005. I am interested in serving on our co-op's board of directors and believe I bring a valuable skill set that is particularly needed at this time in the life of our cooperative. For most of my career I advised corporate boards, management teams and institutional shareholders on governance, transparency and shareholder relations. These are issues that have clearly become front and center based on the recent communications we have all read in recent days.

I have been involved in important neighborhood issues that affect the value of our building. In recent years I participated in developing communications and seeking the support of NYC residents in a successful campaign to prevent the closing of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. I am currently retired and have the time to commit to serving.

Zachary Rubin 1KL

Zac lives in apartment 1KL with his Wife Aubrie who together own and operate Vineapple on Pineapple Street. Zac has worked in Retail and Hospitality for the past 15 years, initially starting a company called Upper 90 which was acquired by Soccer Post in 2023 and now operating three restaurants in New York City: Vineapple, Mile End Deli, and Crossbar. Zac has experience in financial management, operations, and construction management having completed over 10 commercial renovations and a number of residential renovations as well.

It was Zac’s grandfather LeRoy Rubin who spearheaded the initial conversion at 59 Pineapple to a Cooperative in the 70s and a partnership including members of the Rubin family still own the remaining sponsor units in the building. Zac enjoys playing, coaching, and watching soccer as well as watching the New York Rangers.

Margaret Sclafani 3H

Margaret has been a board member since she became a resident and shareholder in 2011. She has served as secretary, interim vice president, and a member-at-large during her time on the board. Margaret has been an advocate for green and energy efficient building initiatives, spearheading our curbside composting program, e-waste and refashion collection. She also has served as the digital lead: redesigning and updating the website, creating and distributing newsletters blog posts as well as creating the fiftyninepineapple email account and google drive to promote central communication and shared document archiving to serve the board and community. Margaret’s parents were married in Brooklyn Heights. She spent her formative years in Washington, D.C. before attending Bryn Mawr College majoring in anthropology, film and French. Margaret works as a filmmaker and cinematographer, having just completed her first feature film as a director entitled Greetings From Arizona.

She welcomes the opportunity to serve on the board for another year with active plans to research and promote green and solar infrastructure investments and stormwater management initiatives, as we face a challenging environmental future and adhere to new building laws, as well as continuing to research and implement improved management and communication and re-introducing neighborly initiatives and social interaction.

Michael Wayasamin 5G

My name is Michael Wayasamin and I am running for the 59 Pineapple Board. I have lived in this building for 20+ years and have been a Board Member for ~15 of those holding several roles. I’ve done everything from replacing the canopy and light fixtures to negotiating exterminating services and refinancing the mortgage.

I work in finance. I was a market maker for Goldman Sachs on the NYSE and presently work for a 4 Billion dollar RIA/ fiduciary providing money management, financial planning, estate planning, and filing taxes for our clients. I enjoy weekends in beautiful Livingston Manor, NY.

Filippo Piscopo (6CD) is listed solely for administrative purposes and he will have no discretion as the proxy rep can only vote as the shareholder instructs. Please do not slide proxies under doors without confirming with someone that they can serve as your in person proxy at the meeting.

Feel free to reach out with any questions.