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Traci Nicol


Traci Nicol


LOW Residence: Section 3


Introduction/Family: My husband, Bryan, and I have been married for 31 years. We have 3 adult children, 1 granddaughter, and are expecting our second granddaughter in September. We have owned a home in Lake of the Woods for 17 years. We began as weekenders, and moved to LOW full time in 2020.


Education and Training: Bachelor of Science in Education. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN


Relevant Experience:

For more than 20 years, I raised our 3 children, managed our home, volunteered in my children’s schools and in our community. I worked for 3 years in the Fairfax County Public School System.

I earned my yoga teacher certification, created and opened my yoga business, and am currently teaching yoga classes in our fitness center.


Career History:

I worked in state government before I was married. After our first child was born, I chose to work inside our home and raise our children. When our children were in middle and high school, I worked for Fairfax County Public Schools. After moving full time to the lake, I earned my yoga certification, opened my yoga business, and now teach at our community fitness center.


Community Service:

• Co-captain of Coldest Night of the Year Walk

• Recruited team for Empty Bowl charity fundraiser

• Host an annual neighborhood party to help raise money for St Jude

• Volunteer for golf tournaments


LOWA Committees:

• Fareways Committee - voting member

• Finance Committee - voting member

• Environmental Control Committee, liaison from Finance Committee


Clubs and Organizations: Member of LOWA LGA since 2022.


Why do you want to serve on the Board?

Lake of the Woods is a special community. My husband and I have come to know and cherish the many neighbors and friends we have met throughout our 17 years living here. I want to help lead our community to strengthen our finances and fiscal management, maintain, and improve our community amenities and assets, and do so in an open and transparent way. I know that we have not reached our full potential as a community and I am ready to help lead the change our community needs for a better future.


What Personal Strengths do you think you bring to the Board of Directors?

First, I care deeply about our LOWA members and neighbors, our community, and our future. I am open minded, a strong listener and consider other views. I am disciplined, driven and passionate about doing the right thing for our community. I collaborate and look for win-wins.


What do you See as the most Important short- and long-term goals for the LOWA Community?

Short term:

1. Selection of the next General Manager: The new Board of Directors, with four newly elected members, should select the new General Manager for LOWA. This will allow the new Board to select the key management leader that the Board will be tasked to work with in the coming years.

2. Capital Project Overhaul: We need to freeze spending on capital projects until we implement a revised procurement process that will set limits on change orders and avoid cost overruns.

3. Use of Amenities: Allow our many social groups and clubs to use our Clubhouse during the weekdays.

4. Restaurants: Actively manage our two restaurants and corresponding expenses, open every day of the week with balanced staffing, and maintain consistent, regular hours at each restaurant.


Long term:

1. Direct oversight of LOWA Budget: Implement line-item budgeting to help each amenity reach an acceptable and reasonable budget and subsidy.

2. Provide open and transparent association records: Association work products, documents, and reports are association records, and must be made available to every LOWA member. Members should not have to fight to see their Association records.

3. Maintain and improve LOWA common areas and amenities. Healthy lakes mean a healthy community. Maintain our buildings, courts, golf course and playgrounds.

4. Build and maintain respectful relationships with LOWA ‘s committees. Acknowledge and consider the work the members of LOWA committees perform. Invite committees to board work sessions to capitalize on the experience and knowledge of LOWA volunteers.
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