Below are profiles submitted by the Candidates to date. Additional profiles will be added as they are received.
Candidate for President (1)
John Thompson- resident since 2004
As a 13+ year resident, I’m committed to Blackthorne Estates and want to see us get this part of the neighborhood in order. While my mind is open to different options, based on what I’m able to uncover and learn in the process, my platform would be focused on:
• The neighborhood entry needs to be redone, in a way that maximizes the investments to date and what is affordable for the neighborhood long term, given our annual income is $100-$110k. We should fill in the ponds and shift to a landscaping-based model. We should hire a firm to manage the entry way and cul-de-sac public areas. We should make one significant investment to set the foundation, then 3x annual cleaning and renewal. There are plenty of firms that are willing and able to do this well. Secure bids and act in the early spring 2017 assuming the financial position supports.
• Make the investments to fix the pool – fence and electrical box that I’m aware of – and ensure that our pool remains a contributing part of the neighborhood.
• Our endowment should be a smaller portion of our annual budget than it currently is. We should invest the funds prudently, work towards a balanced budget with modest buffer annual for the unexpected annually. We should use the funds we have to make appropriate near-term investments in the neighborhood.
• We need a sustained investment to plant shading trees on the west side of the neighborhood, pending the timetable and plan from the city on improving/expanding Mission road.
• We need to get the barrier on the northeast corner opened, eventually – not immediate priority.
• We need to shift towards owner occupied homes – no additional leasing unless the owner lives in the home at least 3 (actual time TBD) years
initially. Grandfather clause for existing leases, but work towards a neighborhood of owners who are investing in their homes.
• Work with the city to get walking/biking accessibility to SPE, likely completed in the re-work of Mission.
• Modest but appropriate social budget that recognizes the demographics of the neighborhood.
Those are my starting points, acknowledging there is still some information to discover. In my decision-making process, I like to listen and consider the perspectives and ideas of others.
Candidate for Vice President: (1)
Jen Gilstrap – resident since 2015
My interest in serving on the Board is to help make our neighborhood appealing and fix current issues. My work life has given me extensive experience in managing projects to completion. As a community we now have the ability to control decisions, and we need to move forward in a strategic and financially responsible way as to make our home values rise.
Candidate for Treasurer: (1)
Magda Belden – resident since 2015
I have worked in finance and accounting for 25 years. I am a people person, but I am direct and expect people to fulfill their position even as a volunteer. I would like the new board to actually make a difference in our neighborhood. I am willing to take over the hardest job to make our neighborhood great and have people be proud moving to Blackthorne. Let’s get serious and care about our neighborhood.
Candidate for Secretary: (1)
Lori O’Connor – resident since 2005
My primary interest in joining the Board is to set a positive and inclusive tone moving forward, and to encourage HOA participation. I would like to provide open and transparent communication with all of our Blackthorne neighbors around Board Meetings (which all Homeowners are invited to attend) and decisions, neighborhood issues and events. I believe that by communicating on a regular basis and using resources such as NextDoor.com to encourage communication among our residents, we can create a strong sense of community and increase participation and volunteerism. I have 15+ years experience in marketing and project management. See full profile on LinkedIn.
Candidates for Member at Large listed alphabetically: (choose 3)
Anice Anderson-Kindscher – resident since 2012
I have experience and degrees in business and engineering, have been a corporate executive at Honeywell, and a college professor prior to retiring here with my husband, who has lived here since 2012. I have successfully served on two HOA boards for other homes we have owned. I can provide the expertise from prior successful HOA’s, budget comparisons, engineering and business experience to help our wonderful community. Either way, I look forward to getting to know our lovely neighborhood better!
Marcia Bloom – resident since 2007
I have been a resident of the area for 10.5 years. I have attended every HOA meeting since living here. I am a retired teacher and retired craft business owner. I enjoy working with people and conveying my ideas for the betterment of the neighborhood.
Julee Booth – resident since 2009
We have lived here since September of 2009, raising our 4 boys in Blue Valley. We live in the newer back section and have watched as the rest of the neighborhood has filled in, lots of building. George has a background in finance and management and I have a background in management and marketing. I hope to be able to work alongside neighbors that share the same vision of improving our neighborhood, not only for our kids, but to improve our home values in comparison to the two neighborhoods surrounding us.
Josh Clausen – resident since 2009
My family moved to Blackthorne Estates in August of 2009. I am an engineer/project manager with Black & Veatch where I have worked for nearly nineteen years. In my role as project manager, I have had the experience of leading teams of professionals in completing projects and have experience in negotiating and managing contracts for supplies and services. My goals for participating in the HOA Board are to increase the sense of community in the subdivision and to encourage a thoughtful, well-planned approach to the challenges and opportunities that exist in BTE.
Brian Grewe – resident since 2004
I have served as At-Large Advisory Member and have coordinated the Neighborhood Pool for last 8 years. I served as the Developer appointed President of the Advisory Board 2011-2016. My education is degrees in Political Science/Government and Business. My goals are for our neighborhood to have a sense of ownership and responsibility for all residents to create and maintain a great place to live and raise families.
Joe Pallucca – resident since 2006
I did serve as a member at large in the past, but wasn’t realistically able to be very involved, as meetings were often scheduled during regular business hours and conflicted with a normal work schedule. I have extensive work experience in
leadership roles as an Information Technology Project Manager with a number of local corporations and would appreciate the opportunity to help with future plans for BTE.
Savanna Pavkov – resident since 2014
I am a former high school teacher and school administrator from Cape Coral, Fl. We will have been here in Kansas and BTE three years this coming June and love the change from Florida. I have a strong background in leadership and management through both education and a previous career in restaurant management. I am comfortable working with our neighbors and community members to ensure our neighborhood continues to be the great community that we so happily joined not too long ago.
Robert Russell – resident since 2005
Golf Professional, Nicklaus Club at Lionsgate
From 2006-2012, I owned and operated Russell Lawn Care. Working with the limited budget we strived to provide quality lawn maintenance for BTE. I think we can all agree BTE has the potential to be a neighborhood we can all be proud of. Having experience with every inch of the property for many years, and knowing what it will take to make it beautiful, fun and prosperous, I feel my past experience would be an asset to serve on the board.
Robert Urbanek – profile not provided
THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES – Consider joining one of the following committees:
Architectural Review Committee
Communication Committee
Social Committee
Pool Committee
Welcome Committee
Thanks everyone for your interest and support!
