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About GWAPP
GWAPP is a coalition of over 40 community organizations dedicated to
education and outreach on issues affecting the environment, waterfront
and neighborhoods of North Brooklyn.
Mission Statement
The Greenpoint Waterfront Association for Parks & Planning, Inc.
("GWAPP") is a community based not-for-profit group, (501c3), comprised
of community organizations, religious institutions, and concerned
citizens from the Greenpoint-Williamsburg communities dedicated to the
development of parks and public access on the Greenpoint waterfront.
Building upon its successful defeat of a powerplant on the East River,
GWAPP is also dedicated to assisting the community in promoting and
monitoring any development that impacts the Greenpoint Waterfront.
Board of Directors : 2005-2006
Mark Chroscielewski
Mark's career spans 25 years of management experience with Fortune 500
corporations, founding high-tech companies and serving as a director on
various public, private and non-profit boards. Filling executive
marketing posts for several Fortune 500 companies, and serving as CEO of
a public venture backed software firm, Mark developed new markets,
increased sales, and reduced costs via breakthrough computer based
business intelligence applications. Throughout his career Mark has
negotiated major sales contracts, joint partnering and licensing
agreements, and recruited Boards and senior management in addition to
hands on experience establishing operational controls and managing
scarce resources. He has raised over $37 million in equity capital, on
instruments ranging from private placements to convertible debentures,
including a NASDAQ IPO. He is a recognized authority in the Business
Intelligence field and accomplished speaker with frequent engagements at
investment banking and industry conferences. Mark has a BBA in Business
Administration with majors in Computer Science and Marketing. Locally,
Mark is involved with several organizations including the Polish
National Home and the Polish American Folk Dance Company.
Laura Hofmann
Laura Hofmann is a Catholic mother of six, grandmother and lifelong
resident of Greenpoint. Because she and other family members have been
affected with environmentally linked diseases such as lupus and asthma,
her community work has focused primarily on environmental health, parks,
and waterfront issues. She is active with a number of organizations that
include Barge Park Pals, Newtown Creek Monitoring Committee, Greenpoint
Williamsburg Waterfront Task Force, CB1 Rezoning Task Force, and Newtown
Creek Alliance. She was honored by St. Nicks Neighborhood Preservation
Corp. for her work with O.U.T.R.A.G.E.
Mike Hofmann
Mike Hofmann is the father of six, grandfather, and has lived in this
community for over a half century. He is the Public Relations Officer of
the Green Oaks Citizens Club Inc., co-founder of Barge Park Pals,
Newtown Creek Monitoring Committee member, Kosciuszko Bridge
Stakeholders Advisory Committee member & Newtown Creek Alliance member.
He was honored by St. Nicks Neighborhood Preservation Corp. for his work
with O.U.T.R.A.G.E.
Christine Holowacz
Christine came to the United States from Poland in 1972 and finished her
last years of high school here, then went on to obtain a BA in Economics
and Accounting from Brooklyn College. As President of the Greenpoint
Property Owners since 1989, Christine has worked conscientiously on
housing issues, especially those concerning senior citizens,
co-sponsoring informtional housing seminars with the North Brooklyn
Development Corporation for owners and tenants. Christine has served on
the Greenpoint 197a Committee and since 1999 has worked as community
liaison on the Newtown Creek Monitoring Committee, ensuring that the
community is protected from the potential environmental dangers
presented by the upgrade of a wastewater treatment plant. Christine
initiated the first meeting in the fight against the proposed Key Span
and Con Edison power plant in Greenpoint, leading to GWAPP's founding.
She received awards in 2001 & 2002 from the Seneca Club, the Woman of
the Millennium and the Carmine "Dusty" De Chiara Community awards for
her work for GWAPP, and a Citation in 2002 from the Borough President
for her work in the Polish Community. Christine is a member of the CB #1
Rezoning Task Force and on the Kosciuszko Bridge upgrade Task Force.
She was honored by St. Nicks Neighborhood Preservation Corp. for her
work with O.U.T.R.A.G.E.
Rich Mazur
As former National Sales Manager and Director of Options Trading at
Paine Webber, Richard brings a strong financial background to the
organization. Currently the Executive Director of the North Brooklyn
Development Corporation (NBDC), a non-profit local development
corporation, Richard is a longtime community advocate. In his work for
NBDC, he administered the development and management of over 200 units
of housing for senior citizens, and an after-school program that has
served over 10,000 neighborhood children. In addition to serving on
GWAPP's Board, Richard is a former chairman of 197a Waterfront Planning
Committee, and currently serves on the boards of the Polish American
Folk Dance Company and the Polish National Home. He has also spearheaded
efforts to increase community activism and voter registration.
Trina McKeever
Trina McKeever is the mother of three school age boys. She and her
husband, Rob McKeever have been Oak Street homeowners since 1989. She is
the co-president of the Oak Street Block Association, an alliance formed
in 2000 in response the failed attempt by Con Ed and Keyspan to set up a
power plant at the end of the block. For the past 15 years, she has
managed the affairs of the sculptor Richard Serra, also a Greenpoint
property owner, coordinating the fabrication and installation of his works worldwide.
Barbara McGlamery
Barbara McGlamery has been a Greenpoint resident for 7 years. Originally
from Florida, Barbara has been involved in community activities since
the age of 7, selling girl scout cookies and putting on variety shows
for the local nursing homes. She was involved with the first power plant
fight against Con Ed, and has served as GWAPP's Secretary since 2000.
She is a member of the Ahavas Israel Synagogue on Noble Street, where
with her husband Adam Perlmutter and son Lorenzo, throw a very hip
Hanukkah party
Katie Naplatarski
Katie Naplatarski is a full-time adult education teacher for the New
York City Department of Education, teaching literacy and GED in Harlem
to residents of Odyssey House, a substance abuse recovery program. Katie
is a cofounder and member of Park Moms, a Greenpoint/Williamsburg
parks-advocacy group formed in 1997 to focus on projects and issues
relating to children and families primarily within McCarren Park. Often
working in collaboration with other community groups and the Parks
Department, Katie worked on the creation of the McCarren Sprinkler Park
completed in 2001 and initiated the installation of more than fifty
trees around the playground perimeter and on neighboring streets from
2002-2004. In addition, she assists with Park Mom's annual "McCarren
Park Live!" children's spring concert series. In September 2005, Katie
helped to raise a red flag about the need for community involvement in
the McCarren Park Pool mega-concerts. She is currently teamed up with
fellow parks advocate Katherine Thompson to bring a temporary, seasonal
ice rink to McCarren Park Pool in winter 2006 or 2007. Katie has been a
resident of Greenpoint since 1984. She was a member of the school
leadership team at PS 34 for six years and has a daughter who attends a
local middle school
Adam Perlmutter
Adam Perlmutter is a partner in the firm Perlmutter & Gimpel, PLLC. He
serves as counsel to GWAPP providing legal work on corporate matters and
representation in the TransGas litigation. He has been an attorney in
private practice for nine years focusing on federal and state criminal
defense and public interest environmental litigation. In addition to the
TransGas case, Adam is a currently lawyer for Develop Don't Destroy
Brooklyn opposing the Atlantic Yards project and represents over 150
property owners and residents in the Greenpoint oil spill case against
Exxon. He previously defended the Williamsburg 7 against criminal
charges stemming from civil disobedience related to the closing of
Engine Company 212. Adam served an Assistant District Attorney in Queens
County where he specialized in felony trials and appeals. He received a
three year appointment to the Criminal Courts Committee of the New York
City Bar and previously served on its Criminal Advocacy Committee. His
work has been reported in The New York Times, National Public Radio, The
New York Daily News, The New York Post, City Limits, and The New York
Press. Adam is the recipient of the American Jurisprudence award in
trial advocacy from the University of Wisconsin and is admitted to
practice in New York, Connecticut, the United States Courts for the
Southern, Eastern and North Districts of New York and the United States
Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He graduated from the
University of Wisconsin Law School with honors in 1992, and received his
undergraduate degree with honors from Columbia University.
Dewey Thompson
Dewey M Thompson is an award-winning television/film writer, director,
and producer and the President and Executive Producer of Pickerel Pie
Entertainment. Dewey is also one of the founders and current
Commissioner of the Greenpoint Williamsburg Youth Soccer League, one of
the fastest-growing youth sports organization in North Brooklyn. Over
500 neighborhood children play in Fall and (indoor) Winter leagues, as
well as a summer soccer skills clinic. It is an all-volunteer
organization with over 100 local parents and adults working as coaches,
referees, and administrators.
For more information or to volunteer:
call 718.228.2595 or email info@gwapp.org
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