ISLAND LEADERSHIP
Meet Your Board Candidates
BOARD CANDIDATE: TOM BAKER
The KICA Nominating Committee recommends Tom
Baker for board service.
My wife Adriana and I reside in Beaufort, SC. We
have one daughter Samantha that is currently
attending Clemson University pursuing a Masters
in Accounting. We enjoy boating, fishing, biking
and entertaining friends. We currently own two
properties on Kiawah in the Fairway Oaks and
Mariners Watch regimes. I first moved to Kiawah
in 1978 at the age of 12 and basically grew up on the
island! I was a member of the Kiawah youth swim
team, participated in the early turtle patrols, and
worked on the island as a teenager at various golf
shops and the beach during the summer months. As
a family we returned and lived full time on Kiawah in
2000-2002 then moved to Dallas, TX for my business.
We have visited Kiawah every year until we moved to
Beaufort, SC and purchased property on Kiawah in
2015. Having grown up on the Island, I have always
felt Kiawah as my hometown with so many cherished
memories of which I am always happy to share! My
wife and I spend a week on the island every month
and feel it’s the right time to get actively involved
with the community. Our long-term plan is to build
and retire on Kiawah.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
I serve on the board of the Fairway Oaks Homeowners
Association and am currently working with the
board on upcoming renovations to the exterior patios
and building color selection. I have restructured my
business travels and have more time available and
would like to be more involved with the community.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
I co-founded and am the CEO of Access Hotels and
Resorts and COO of Access Residential
Management. Access Hotels and Resorts currently
manages 16 luxury properties in the United States.
We have managed large scale luxury resorts such
as the Baccara Resort in Santa Barbara (now The
Ritz Carlton) and several Independent Boutique
4 | KIAWAH ISLAND DIGEST
Hotels across the United States. Access Residential
Management currently manages over 30 full
service “Life Style” communities in Florida with
planning and oversight of all community services ex.
Security, Planning, Accounting, Maintenance, and
Community Services. Given Kiawah is both a Resort
and a Residential Community, I have extensive
experience in all aspects of day to day operations and
strategic planning in both environments. This direct
work experience would apply to my potential KICA
board service and provide additional insight into
the various levels of community management for all
stakeholders.
BOARD SERVICE STATEMENT
I have experience working with a variety of different
property ownership groups and have been successful
in balancing owner feedback into long term strategic
planning in the best interest of the entire community.
I have a long association with Kiawah Island and
would offer a transparent business and historical
perspective governing my board service and balance
this with the communities/islands best long-term
interest in all decisions made on behalf of the board.
Kiawah’s rapid growth has presented many unique
challenges that have impacted our community. I
intend to approach each and every issue presented
with a thoughtful, transparent and well researched
approach. I have seen Kiawah grow and evolve as a
community over the decades and am eager to give
back to a community that has brought me and my
family many happy memories.