Lynn Brenton '24 Board Candidate

Board Candidates
lpbwind
Saturday, 14 October 2023
375 Hits

Candidate for Tolomato Island Board of Directors

Lynn Brenton

Originally from Pennsylvania, my husband Jamie and I have lived in Georgia for the past 34 years. We knew we wanted to call Tolomato Island our home, back in 2008 when we first saw the breathtaking live oaks on Mission Drive, and bought our lot. We moved here just 4 years ago after having our home built.

Our family is very active. Jamie and I are members of the First United Methodist Church in Brunswick. I have a great community of friends at Crossfit Glynco and Jamie really enjoys the Pickle Ball crew. I am a founder of our very active and fun book club. You are likely to see us most often walking the semi-official "Mayor of Tolomato", D'Artagnan. Our son Jordan, who just graduated from the College of Coastal Georgia will be leaving us in January 2024 for London, England to work and to join his fiancé.

I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club, McIntosh County. I have served on the Board of Bethany Christian Services, the Advisory Board of the SAP certification program at Georgia Southern University, on the Advisory Committee to the Business and Technology Department, Brookwood High School and on the Board of trustees at Cannon United Methodist Church. I have been involved in the TIPOA Social and Website Committees. Jamie and I have hosted the Annual Pumpkin Carving event in October in Savannah Square. Such creativity!

It is an exciting time for our community as new people are moving into the neighborhood. I believe that a quality board member must have sound and rational judgement and govern with realistic management and people skills. Every association has its challenges and finding collaborative solutions is the key to success. Empowering our committees is key to sharing the work that is necessary to invigorate a great community.

I believe open and transparent communications is key to re-uniting this community. My technology skills can enhance communications as we work together as a board to create a platform for that dialog.

You may remember that I was elected to the TIPOA Board of Directors last year. I resigned when it became apparent that my contributions were not valued. In considering this candidacy I have concluded that I can best help my community by actively pursuing a platform of open communication, listening to the community at large and working to develop a governing structure that is inclusive.

I have worked in the IT industry for over 35 years and currently work remotely as an IT Consultant for a Charleston SC based firm. I have held several IT positions throughout my career with my final position in the industry as a CIO for a refrigeration manufacturing company. These positions have taught me many valuable lessons in leadership, negotiation, project delivery, and finance as well as looking out for the well-being of my employees. This knowledge and experience will transfer nicely to helping care for the community we all live in.

Thank you for your consideration!

Lynn Brenton

EXPERIENCE

ARGANO – Charleston, SC 2017 - Present
Argano is a leading Oracle-only systems integrator and Managed Services provider of Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning and on-premise ERP solutions for large companies in several industry segments.

Director, Oracle EBS/Cloud Practice

Provides leadership and guidance towards client service and business development for the Oracle EBS Practice in consulting and project implementation work.
Enhances the relationship with clients by developing strong, lasting partnerships with their business and leading the development and delivery of solutions to their most complex challenges.

DAVE RAMSEY SOLUTIONS – Nashville, TN 2022 - Present
Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coach

In this position it is my mission to serve others by helping them with their finances. As a Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coach, I use Dave Ramsey's principles to meet people where they are and show them how to win with money. I help my clients create healthy financial habits and goals. These can range from day-to-day money management to planning for longer-term goals. I can help clients identify the challenges in their finances and develop strategies to overcome them.

HILLPHOENIX, INCORPORATED – Conyers, GA 2014 - 2017
Hillphoenix is a leading manufacturer of Display Cases, Specialty Products, Refrigeration Systems, Power Systems and Comprehensive Services. 2015 revenues of $900M.
Vice President/CIO Enterprise Information Technology

HUBBELL, INCORPORATED - Shelton, CT 2008 -2014
International manufacturer of electrical and electronic products for broad range of non-residential and residential construction, industrial and utility applications. 2012 revenues of $3.0B.
Senior Director Business Systems Development 2011 - 2014
Senior Director, Enterprise Project Management Services 2008 - 2011

ACUITY BRANDS LIGHTING - Conyers, GA 1989 – 2007
World's leading provider of lighting fixtures with 2012 net sales of over $2B.
Vice President Business Systems Solutions (2003 – 2007)
Director of Commercial & Industrial Systems (1998 – 2003)

EDUCATION

Project Management Professional Certification, Project Management Institute, Newtown Square, PA - 2012
M.S., Information Systems, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL - 2013
M.S., Human Resource Management/Training & Development, Widener University, Chester, PA - 1990
B.S.B.A., Management Information Systems, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA - 198

About the author

lpbwind

Comments

JimandGinny

on Sunday, 12 November 2023 18:48

Roberts Rules/Attachments to minutes

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?

0
Cancel Reply

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?

Cancel Update Comment

JimandGinny

on Thursday, 16 November 2023 17:30

Level the playing field

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?

0
Cancel Reply

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?

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?

Cancel Update Comment