LOW Residence: Section 8

 

Introduction/Family: I am Jill’s husband of 36 years, Joel and Jack’s father, and proud grandfather to Annabelle, Jackson, James, and Lucy.
 
Education and Training:
I attended George Mason University and held an American Society for Industrial Security Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation professionally. I have been through various law enforcement professional development courses, too numerous to itemize.
 
Career History: I’m a career law enforcement officer ending as a Chief responsible for several hundred professionals and a $44MM budget. Upon retirement I began a second career in Dental IT and Dental Consulting. I now work as a semi-retired Chief Operating Officer of a large privately owned dental practice working for a dear friend.
 
Community Service:
I’ve been a career law enforcement officer and now volunteer with LOWA. LOWA Committees: I’m the sitting Chair of the Finance Committee
 
Clubs and Organizations:
None (no time left after Finance).
 
Why do you want to serve on the Board?
I’m honored to share that I’m a candidate for the 2025 Lake of the Woods Association Board of Directors. As a full-time resident and current Chair of the Finance Committee, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our community’s financial oversight—and I’m running to continue that service on a broader level.
I didn’t come into this race through a long-standing social network or a long career of retirement. I’m still working full-time, and like many of you, I juggle responsibilities. I’ve chosen to dedicate the time I do have to listening, learning, and serving where I believe it matters most. That’s what led me to the Finance Committee—and now to this campaign.
I’m running because I believe LOWA is at a pivotal moment. We’re facing infrastructure concerns, inflation pressures, and important conversations about how best to manage our amenities. These challenges require clear thinking, open communication, and steady leadership—grounded in facts, not fear. I believe I bring those qualities.
 
Here are the principles that guide me:
Respect Above All
I don’t believe disagreement has to lead to division. I try hard to keep discussions respectful and to avoid personal attacks. I won’t always get it right—none of us do—but I’ll always aim to keep the conversation constructive and focused on solutions.
 
Shared Goals, Not Solo Missions
There are other strong candidates running this year, and I’ll speak positively about many of them. That’s not political spin—it’s a sign of my belief in collaboration. I want to serve with people who care about this community as deeply as I do, even if we don’t agree on everything.
 
Responsible Stewardship
As Finance Committee Chair, I’ve helped lead efforts to improve how we manage our budget. We pushed for data-driven forecasting and proposed freezing dues while redirecting spending toward overdue infrastructure needs—like roads, ditches, and drainage—rather than letting amenities run unchecked.
 
Open-Minded Solutions
Earlier this year, our committee asked the Board to consider exploring food and beverage outsourcing to reduce costs and improve service. That resolution wasn’t brought to a vote—but I believe good stewardship means having those discussions, even when they’re difficult.
 
Real-World Engagement
I understand how hard it can be for working families to attend meetings or track every community issue. I’ve lived that. I will do everything I can to reach people where they are, whether that’s over coffee, at your kitchen table, or by email. Everyone’s voice should count, not just those with free time.
 
This campaign is just the beginning of a deeper conversation I hope to have with my neighbors. If you believe in respectful, practical leadership and thoughtful use of our resources, I’d be honored to earn your support. If anything here resonates with you, I’d love to talk more.
 
What personal strengths do you think you bring to the Board of Directors?
My core strength lies in resource leadership. Throughout my professional career, I’ve achieved success not by knowing everything, but by recognizing and empowering talented individuals. I excel at identifying brilliant people, ensuring they have the tools they need, and removing obstacles so they can do their best work. I believe that when capable individuals are supported and unencumbered, extraordinary results follow.
 
What do you think is the most pressing issue facing LOWA?
I believe LOWA is in the midst of an identity crisis. Some envision a rapid evolution into a full country club environment, while others—like me—value its character as a quiet, residential community. Regardless of the direction the community chooses, we must avoid trying to become a country club while operating on a campground budget. Prioritizing upscale food and beverage offerings over core needs has led to deferred maintenance of essentials like roads, ditches, and drainage. If elected, my priorities will be:
●     Freezing assessments
●     Finding operational efficiencies within existing amenities
●     Focusing on foundational community maintenance
 
What do you see as the most important short- and long-term goals for the LOWA community? Short-Term:
Our most urgent need is to bring budget discipline to the management of our amenities. As it
stands, many amenity operations lack the financial oversight and professional expertise required for sustainable performance. We must acknowledge these limitations and make hard, near-term decisions to protect our resources while we re-evaluate our approach. I strongly support exploring outsourcing options where appropriate—solutions that can maintain or even improve service quality while significantly reducing cost. This isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about protecting the long-term health of our community. If elected, I will make it a priority to lead that exploration transparently and decisively.
 
Long-Term:
Looking further ahead, I believe LOWA needs a shared vision for what kind of community we want to be over the next 20 years—and a practical roadmap for how to get there. This starts with asking the right questions: What kind of lifestyle do our members want? What services are most valued? How do we balance amenities, infrastructure, affordability, and long-term sustainability? We don’t need to outsource that thinking—our community is full of skilled, experienced individuals who are willing to help. Let’s tap into that wisdom and guide a thoughtful, member-driven process to shape our future. I see this as a collaborative adventure in discovery—one I’m excited to help lead.

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