Politics & Government

Delegates to Elect New AVCA Board

Read statements from the Aliso Viejo Community Association Board of Directors candidates.

Delegates will meet tonight for the Aliso Viejo Community Association Board of Directors candidate forum to ask questions and meet the candidates.

The election will take place during the annual delegate meeting on June 25.

Candidates statements were recently released on AVCA's website. Read them below:

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AVCA’S 2012 ANNUAL ELECTION CANDIDACY STATEMENTS

Nicholas Axelrod
"I work as an internal auditor for a Dow 30 company. I received an MBA in finance from California State University, Fullerton in 2008. The job of any Community Association Board Member is to recognize that association dues are another form of taxation. As such, the board members have an obligation to keep the dues as low as possible while making sure that the money that is spent by the association is spent wisely. This is my pledge to the community."

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Bill Conley
"I am running for re‐election to the AVCA Board of Directors for a number of reasons, but they all point to one deciding factor: the good of the community. I have served two stints on the AVCA Board – from 2001‐2004 and from 2006‐2010 and feel that I can still bring value to the community through my participation.

I do not give my time up lightly, but I feel that contributing at this level makes it worthwhile. Even though this is a volunteer position, it demands time and dedication, as the quality of life for over 48,000 people depends on our actions and decisions.

The history of the association and being able to keep things in context is extremely important, and that is part of the value I bring to this board. I have co‐chaired the Master Architectural Committee (MAC), chaired the Parks and Landscape Committee and the Budget & Finance Committee and been a member and AVCA Board liaison to the Events & Outreach Committee. I also served as an AVCA representative for informal meetings with the mayor and mayor pro tem discussing issues pertinent to both AVCA and the city.

I want to ensure AVCA continues to prosper. I want to assist in providing guidance and advice during my service and continue the excellent jobs our past and current board members have performed.

I trust that you feel the same about AVCA and the community and that you will vote to re‐elect me."

Lisa Naegele
"My husband Barry and I have lived in Aliso Viejo for 18 years. We have three children, Gillian, Hunter and Marley who are very active in the local sports community. Our children attend public school at Oak Grove Elementary and Aliso Viejo Middle School. I am a Board Member on the Oak Grove Elementary School Foundation, PTA Parliamentarian, Library Coordinator, 5th Grade Science Chair and Co‐coordinator of the Recycling program as well as being a Room Mom. I also serve as a member of the Class Act Committee which partners with the Pacific Symphony bringing education of classic composers to our students.

I have had the pleasure of serving the last two years as a member of the AVCA Board of Directors. I have spent six years serving on the Parks and Landscape Committee as a member, Chairperson and current Liaison. I was fortunate enough to take part in the design of ACCP and the dog park and participate in the organization of our annual Arbor Day events as well as helping to make many improvements to our parks. I have worked closely with our vendors and user groups and would like to continue to work with them to better serve Aliso Viejo’s residents. I look forward to the opportunity to serve another term on the AVCA Board of Directors."

Mona Robinson
"I have lived in Aliso Viejo since 1996 and served on my homeowner association board, Vista Pointe Ridge, for three years. If given the opportunity, I look forward to serving the larger community. My goal is to continue to maintain and improve our parks to meet the needs of the community. I am concerned that we remain environmentally conscious and work to conserve our resources for the next generation. Cost control is important to me and I believe that my training as a CPA will prove helpful in evaluating the cost/benefit of projects and in working to control costs and dues.

The time commitment required of a Board member is significant and I am able and willing to commit to this. My children were raised in Aliso Viejo, but are now adults making their own way. At this stage, I have the time and the desire to devote my efforts to the larger community.

Thank you for this opportunity."

Richard Slijk
"My name is Richard Slijk. I started living and working in Aliso Viejo even before it was a city. I am amazed how my association and my city has grown.

As I board member, I can bring a unique background and set of skills that (I believe) will nicely complement those of the existing board.

First, I can offer current experience as a board member of the Hamptons. I am trained and stay current with the trends in the world of associations by taking training provided by PCW and other organizations.

Second, I can offer over nearly 40 years experience as a global marketing and general manager. I offer people, financial and general management experience.

  • I am a people person. Working in Japan, I have learned how to build consensus. Thus, I have built, worked with, and managed teams and vendors across three continents.
  • I am good with details and numbers. I have managed P&L, thus have a working knowledge of budgets and financial documents.
  • Legal background in business law (contracts).

Third, I have been active with the city and their planning agencies for several years now. At present, I am focusing on two projects (the modification of the general plan and sustainability issues).

Forth, I have experience with Chambers of Commerce. This affords me a working understanding of the interplay between business, the residential community and the city.

To sum up, I believe I could make a positive contribution to the AV board. Please vote."

Michael A. Zaic
"I have lived in and loved Aliso Viejo since 2004.

I bring an excellent array of experience to be an effective AVCA Director.

Friends and colleagues have told me they admire my patience and enjoy our conversations because I listen and any response I offer seems simple. In my eyes its just common sense, a trait that would be an asset as a director. My background is very diverse over my 30 plus years of experience. In the financial sector I was principal of an investment banking firm, reviewing private companies and weighing risk verses reward before raising millions of dollars in public offerings. Also involved in the healthcare industry, I worked with hospitals and medical groups. I was Executive VP Sales and member of the board of directors of a publically traded Physician Practice Management company. Next I owned/operated an import/wholesale company that imported millions of items from Pacific Rim countries and sold them into special markets, corporate marketing, and large retail outlets. I then moved into a sector very different from my past experiences, but it made good business sense starting a fabrication company that served a much needed niche in the structural steel industry.

The experience I’ve gained in finance, operations, management, sales and customer and community service, while working closely with Wall Street to the Boy Scouts of America (10 plus years as adult volunteer, treasurer, etc...), gives me the tools required to responsibly serve our wonderful community as a member of the AVCA Board of Directors."


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