Board Lives: Board President Carol Rosenberg

Carol Rosenberg
Board President, 3 East 69th Street

BEGINNINGS

My mother was a housewife and my father ran the office of the French Line (shipping). I was a schoolteacher in my twenties for eight years. My first job was in Red Hook, Brooklyn, my second in Miami, Florida, on Bay Harbor Island for two years, and then I worked on 21st Street between First and Second Avenues in a junior high school. I was a math and science teacher. I gave that up because I was very interested in art, both new and contemporary. I had a very strong interest in business so I started an art gallery when I was about 30.

HANDS-ON

For 17 or 18 years we had an on-site manager, then he went on to a bigger responsibility at Time Warner; then we had to hire an outside manager. In order to be self-managed, the board has to be very strong. There’s a certain amount of hands-on whether you’re self-managed or not.

SKILL SET

My skills on the board come from my many years of involvement in real estate. Years ago, when my husband closed the gallery on 57th Street, I had the opportunity to be a real estate sales person. I thought it was an interesting challenge. I’ve renovated apartments on my own, I’ve got a good, strong financial background, so I thought, “Why not try it?” My negotiating skills are very strong. I worked for M.J. Raynes for several years, more as a part-time situation, and then I started my own company. My last sale was a mansion in South Hampton two years ago.

PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING

Keeping a kind of peaceful relationship between the board and the shareholders is very important. You should try to work well with people, and don’t be antagonistic. Keep it a happy family.

PERSONAL STATS

BIRTHPLACE Brooklyn

AGE 73, oldest of five children.

PROFESSION

Art dealer, real estate broker, and chairwoman of a foundation that “builds bridges between the United States and Cuba through art projects.” This year, it hosted the 11th annual Latin American Film Festival.

FAMILY

Married with two sons, one is a Hollywood producer; the other a photographer. Her husband is an art dealer.

BOARD SERVICE

1982-1984, treasurer; 1984-1993 president; 2004, returned to the board; 2008-present, president. Has lived in the building for 35 years.

WHEN I EAT OUT

Generally eats at home (“I have a wonderful cook”).

LEISURE-TIME ACTIVITY

Gardening.

CURRENTLY READING

Biographies, just finished one on Picasso.

BUILDING STATS

3 East 69th Street

BUILT 1939

UNITS Originally 31, currently 28

ELEVATORS 2 (including 1 service)

STAFF Doorman; shares super and handyman with building next door.

BOARD MEMBERS 7

POTENTIAL PROJECTS

Evaluating the basement with an eye to adding a gym.

WENT CO-OP 1981

MANAGER Gumley-Haft

ACCOUNTANT Greenberg & Brennan

ATTORNEY Steve Wagner

– Edited from an interview with Tom Soter