2020_Sept issue_Villager newpaper | Page 10

10 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER September 2020 Charbonneau elects new board member, officers BY CLARA HOWELL Former Charbonneau Country Club Board member Eugene Tish said he felt obligated to stay involved with his leadership role in Charbonneau after the CCC and Charbonneau Golf Club signed the merger agreement earlier this summer. “Having served on both boards, I have a unique appreciation for all of the dedicated and talented individuals that will be involved,” Eugene said. “I do look forward to helping this new working relationship evolve in a positive and productive manner.” As the new CCC president, Eugene said he looks forward to the construction of the new activity center and other building projects in the area. “If economics allow, we need to look at some upgrades to the existing clubhouse to accomodate a restaurant,” he said. “A restaurant was the number one choice of the residents when the Outreach Task Force surveyed the residents. It was not practical to accommodate that in the new activity center, but some upgrades to the existing clubhouse and its existing kitchen makes all the sense in the world.” Eugene joined the CCC Board last year and his background includes a 45-year career in law and commerce. He’s been a member of the Oregon State Bar since 1974 and is still an active member of the Bar, even though he’s retired from private practice. Eugene also has skills in mediation, facilitating community meetings and knowledge on how to make meetings operate effectively. “In the past year I have also had the privilege to assist in conflict training, and in guest chairing contentious meetings for neighborhood associations and HOAs in Clackamas County,” Eugene said. “It is much more difficult, however, when the people unhappy with you are your friends and neighbors. As president, my primary responsibility is to support my board members, committee chairs and staff to make sure they are truly empowered to do their jobs. My success can truly only be measured by their individual and collective success.” Eugene is looking forward to focusing on the CCC’s next 10-year plan, and figuring out the financial needs of the TISH NEWBORE OWEN future by means of the financial oversight committee and a long-term planning committee, which Eugene said is also being activated. Eugene said that while serving as the CCC president isn’t necessarily something to look forward to, he recognizes an obligation to give back. “I feel honored to serve, but also recognize it will be challenging and even uncomfortable at times,” he said. ••• Gary Newbore believes his dual backgrounds in finance and construction will be valuable skills to have as the new Charbonneau Country Club vice president. “I’m just looking forward to getting the new Activity Center built and hopefully a new restaurant, and going from there,” Gary said. For the last year, Gary served on the CCC Board. In a previous interview with the Villager, he said it felt like a place where he could have an impact. Gary spent 14 years managing a hazardous waste remediation construction company, where the company cleaned many superfund sites and military bases. He also managed divisions of nationwide engineering companies. “I’ve bid several construction and engineering jobs, I’ve negotiated several engineering and construction contracts and I’ve managed several engineering and construction projects, all of which I think would be helpful in working with the new clubhouse,” Gary said in a former interview with the Villager. Since living in Charbonneau, Gary has gotten involved with several committees — sometimes too many, he jokes. Committees he’s involved with include an architectural control committee, a governing document review committee and a financial oversight committee. When stepping into a leadership role with the board, Gary initially wanted to tackle issues including the Aurora Airport and the Charbonneau Golf Course merger. Now, with the merger agreement in place, he’s looking forward to seeing the new additions to the Village Center including the new clubhouse and hopefully a new restaurant, and making sure the CCC meets its fiduciary responsibilities. Through his role on the board, Gary said he got to understand and know the community better. “I’ve been interacting with a lot of really quality people and every person I meet you learn something from,” he said. ••• Linda Owen plans to apply her skills to the Charbonneau Country Club Board by having well-informed, researched and thoughtful considerations to all ideas and issues the board will need to tackle. Owen said she has the ability to listen, be organized, analyze and make decisions calmly and logically. “I feel it is important to be involved in helping shape the future of our community, considering the changing demographics and growth in the area,” Owen said. “It is also important to be mindful of the financial investment each resident makes through his/her assessments.” Owen currently serves on the Village Center Development Task Force and was the Charbonneau Women’s Golf Association president for two years, advising the incoming president for one year. Her involvement also included being the vice president and membership co-chair, and she is currently on the CWGA’s Social Committee. Owen has also served on the Charbonneau Women’s Association Board in various capacities. “My husband and I believe this community is wonderful and have been active in it since moving here,” Owen said. Owen’s employment background included being the judicial assistant to the chief bankruptcy judge for the District of Oregon, the human resources director for Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee and she was also the administrative assistant to private practice attorneys earlier in her career. Owen said she is looking forward to assisting with the new amenities and improvements to the Charbonneau community. She said there are new projects underway that will enhance the quality and value of the area to community members. “The board is currently working on design and construction of the new activity center, as well as two other projects,” Owen said. “I hope to be very involved in this exciting addition to our community.”