John Bagwell '24 Board Candidate
Candidate for Tolomato Island Board of Directors
John Lee Bagwell
If you didn't know, Georgia's oldest and largest industry is Agribusiness. It contributes some $74 Billion to the State's economy. I was a part of that industry for several years managing large farms in Georgia, Missouri, and Arizona. In my own successful Agri service business, we provided crop consulting, advice on organic and chemical solutions, and provided budget and ROI assistance. In addition, my wife Joanna owns, and we operate several local businesses.
By education, vocation, and passion, I am an educator, currently teaching and coaching at McIntosh County's Middle School in Darien. How does that background lead to becoming a candidate for the Board of Directors? Successful farmers and teachers are good listeners. We listen before we jump to a conclusion. I have listened and I believe Tolomato Island needs to reevaluate its mission and move toward goals that always work for the benefit of its owners.
Joanna, our children Lily, Clayton, and Jolee, our dog Charlie and I are engaged in Tolomato Island and the local community. It is our home. As an active family we utilize the amenities, and I've been known to treat myself to a few casts for bass at the pond. As local businesspersons, we understand local government, know local contractors, and of course see the future every day in the kids in the classrooms.
In my time on the past Architectural Review Board, I found people, not just ARB members truly concerned with the future of Tolomato. Without full Board of Director's support, we brought major issues to the community's attention (the need to combine lots, the need for upgraded infrastructure, drainage etc.). With the help of community minded people, we were working toward real solutions. Those needs still exist along with real time for listening and dialog with the extended Tolomato Island community.
If you believe as I do, that Tolomato Island can sustain reasonable growth, pleasing to both the community and the owner-builders where all parties understand the goals and can communicate openly, then I ask for your vote. If you believe as I do, that the Board of the Directors works for the owners, then I ask again for your vote.
Experience
Family Businesses – Eulonia Beverage, Darien Beverage, Altman's Present
Advanced AG Solutions, Tifton GA – Sales Consultant 2018 – Present
Organic and Conventional crop management.
Soil and plant nutrition management.
Increased crop yield and sales return
Frey Bothers Farm, Kennett, MO – Melon Farm Manager 2017 – 2018
Maintained grower relations.
Responsible for insect and disease control programs.
Coordinated harvest / shipment of watermelons.
Bagwell Agriservice, Cordele, GA – Crop Consultant 2011 – 2017
Managed vegetable development in the Southeast United States and Guatemala.
Provide technical information and support to growers.
Developed and implemented farm budgets.
Monitored and advised all stages of crop production.
Formulated chemical applications using organic and conventional products.
Supervised and scheduled all workers.
Maximized Return on Investment by increasing yields by 25%.
Negotiated produce sales contracts with retailers and wholesalers.
Liaison between growers and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Participate in University plant and chemical trials.
Georgia Public Schools - Educator 1999 – 2011
Progressively increases student achievement.
Taught adult education classes.
Coached high school baseball and football.
Martori Farms, Scottsdale, AZ – Specialty Produce Advisor 2002 – 2003
Managed specialized produce sales and harvesting in Arizona and California.
Revamped product harvesting and packaging process to maximize daily productivity.
Provided guidance to product managers and salesmen.
Supervised million-dollar specialty harvesting operations.
Tremont Farms, Cordele, GA – Farm and Sales Manager 1995 – 2002
Managed year-round produce sales, including coordinating shipments for the grower to the wholesale or retailer.
Sold quality produce to food services accounts throughout the US and Canada.
Established and maintained repeat customer base.
Expanded yearly regional sales by 20%.
Generated half million-dollar sales while working within a small budget.
Education and Licenses
Georgia Southwestern State University - Bachelor of Science in Education
State of Georgia Teaching Certificate
If you would like to ask me questions, you may openly dialogue with me by first clicking on my blog Title and entering a comment at the bottom.
Comments
DrSmileGuy
on Friday, 13 October 2023 23:10
John,
I'm a big fan to potentially have the opportunity to work together with you on the Tolomato board.
Good luck and I look forward to the future.
Steve Anderson
Amason
on Saturday, 14 October 2023 13:50
The new TIPOA Board candidates look excellent and with good experience from serving on other HOA Boards, to having business and community service experience. Their platforms of open communication, serving the community and developing plans for the future are excellent. We should all look forward to a change and an exchange of ideas and a more active and involved community.
JimandGinny
on Sunday, 12 November 2023 18:49
Everyone seems shy so I will start on the questions.
The by-laws state that Board meetings will be conducted according to Robert’s Rules and Procedures. With respect to members, Article 3.14 reads as follows:
Members other than directors may not participate in any discussion or deliberation unless permission to speak is requested on a Member's behalf by a director. In such case, the president may limit the time any Member may speak.
Current practice is for the Board to conduct its business, get committee reports, then invite member comments. Member comments are typically not recorded in detail. This being the case, members occasionally have comments that are detailed in nature and/or require follow up. Several months ago, I asked if a Board member would make a motion to attach my comment to the minutes. The Board President stated that my request did not require a motion and that the TIPOA attorney said that the only time a motion is required is when the Board is spending money. Also, as usual, the request to attach the comment was summarily ignored.
Do you agree with the above interpretation of Robert’s Rules and Procedures?
What is your opinion on attaching member comments to the minutes?
JimandGinny
on Thursday, 16 November 2023 17:31
The Boad told us that the dollar value of delinquent accounts is concentrated in a handful of properties. Purchases of these distressed properties result in TIPOA recovering these accounts and replaces the accounts with paying home owners, thus purchases of distressed properties should be encouraged. Purchases of these distressed accounts also gives the buyer a potential for higher-than-normal return on investment. That is, it is a win-win.
Unfortunately, information regarding these properties is available only to the Board. Furthermore, the Board is typically the first contact prior to a distressed property being listed on the open market. These facts, coupled with purchases by board members has led some to wonder if board members “may” be profiting from their unique position. For example, one board member purchased (either in their name or through LLCs registered in their name) 6 properties over a 4-year period. The county listed 1 of these purchases as not being fair market value and 2 as being estates. A second board member purchased 2 properties, one of which was listed as not being fair market value.
I will repeat, I am not saying that the board members who purchased theses properties did anything wrong. I am saying that since the membership does not have access to the same information as board members, this does not look good.
The question, how do we encourage purchases of distressed properties while removing any appearance of impropriety—how do we level the playing field? What we can’t do. Georgia Properties Owners’ Association Act (GPOAA) does permit the Board to publicize a list of outstanding assessments. Furthermore, nothing in the governing documents or GOPAA places restrictions on Board member purchases and I don’t think we should restrict their purchases. What we can do? GPOAA does permit members to submit a written request for such information. Most members are not aware of this.
Could we include a note to accounts receivable in our financial statements specifying the number of accounts more than 2 years in arrears or with more than $2k in outstanding assessments? Maybe include in the note a listing of the amounts “without” any identifying information? As part of the note, we could say that additional information is available upon request?
Could we set a policy that no Board member may make an offer on any property to be listed for sale until such time as the sale is listed on the open market?
Other ideas?