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New CB2 Members Include Private Equity Investor, Education Expert

MANHATTAN — The influential group of Village and SoHo residents who weigh in on everything from liquor license applications to building design just got some new blood.

Two Village residents and a Nolita dweller have been appointed to Community Board 2, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer announced.

Nolita resident and private equity investor Daniel Ballen is among the newcomers.

Ballen, a 30-year-old Upper East Side native who is a vice president at the investment firm Pine Brook Partners, said he hoped to help locals deal with business and real estate issues.

"This community is going through so many changes now in terms of development," he said. "It's great, but the decisions we make now will have long-lasting implications."

The Emory University graduate appointed by Stringer said he thought his youth would add a fresh voice to the board, whose members are mostly age 40 and older.

"We should have a diversity on the board that reflects the diversity of the community," he said.

West Village resident Katy Bordonaro, who was appointed by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, will also join CB2.

The 35-year Village resident involved in zoning, landmarking and waterfront issues works as the director of alumni affairs for the nonprofit Prep for Prep, which helps talented local students attend top schools.

Bordonaro, 58, said she hoped to make affordable housing issues a priority as a CB2 member.

"Whatever we can do to contribute to the preservation and creation of affordable housing will help citywide," she said.

Bordonaro, a Boston native, holds degrees from Columbia University, Radcliffe College and Harvard University.

Village resident Tom Connor was also appointed to the board, which covers Greenwich Village, the West Village, SoHo, Hudson Square, NoHo and Nolita.

According to information provided by Stringer's office, Connor is a former psychotherapy and counseling center administrator involved in the Village Independent Democrats and the Caring Community Senior Center.

Connor, who was appointed by City Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, holds a masters degree in social work from Adelphi University.

Elected officials appointed a total of 76 new members to Manhattan's 12 community boards, according to Stringer's office. Nearly 550 candidates applied for the posts.