Did you know that the Gateway Greens community actually consists of multiple neighborhoods? You are probably familiar with Gateway Greens, Walden Lakes and Hidden Links as they have separate entrances off of Gateway Boulevard. But tucked inside of the Gateway Greens entrance are many distinct neighborhoods – each of which has their own name, personality and localized services. Going forward we will highlight these individual neighborhoods and introduce you to their leaders. The first neighborhood introduction will be Callaway Greens and their Neighborhood Association President Shannon Emond.
EXPERIENCE CALLAWAY GREENS
One of the first communities within the Gateway Greens development, Callaway Greens is comprised of 98 single-family homes bordering several of the scenic back nine holes and the practice par 3 and 4 holes of The Club at Gateway.
Callaway Greens is known for its beautiful live oak-lined entrance and additional live oak trees throughout the community. Many homes back up to lakes, including a large lake with two fountains which are lit at night providing a beautiful nighttime view. Both full-time and seasonal residents are very proud of the community, its design and landscaping which combine to make it a sought-after community within the greater Gateway area. Neighbors are friendly and look out for one another. Block Parties are not uncommon!
Callaway Greens is managed by its own Homeowners Association (HOA), comprised of five elected resident members and our property management company, Tropical Isles. The Callaway Greens HOA collects quarterly dues for services provided by both the Gateway Greens master association and the Callaway Greens neighborhood association.
• The master association services include cable/Internet, and maintenance of roads, landscaping and irrigation services for common areas.
• The neighborhood association provides landscaping and irrigation services to individual homes, tree trimming, lake fountain management, annual power washing of homes and annual roof cleaning.
These services are unique within Gateway Greens and another reason our residents enjoy our community so much!
MEET CALLAWAY GREENS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT SHANNON EMOND
We met with Shannon to learn a bit more about her experiences, background and reasons for moving to and getting involved with the local HOA. Read on to get to know her better!
• What motivated you to serve as Callaway Green’s HOA President?
When you move somewhere that has an HOA, it’s in your own best interest to understand what the rules and regulations of a community are prior to purchasing. Once you are settled in, getting involved ensures that the things that you are most interested in are either maintained or changed based on your own personal preferences and the broader “good” of your neighbors
• How would you describe your leadership style, and how have your life experiences prepared you for this role?
My 40+ years as a professional and executive in contracts and procurement fostered my interest in an HOA leadership role. My style is to be open, participative, and to actively seek information and feedback to improve our community. I like to invite vendors to speak to homeowners, make sure that meetings are open and that discussions are encouraged.
• What are you most passionate about?
From a leadership perspective, it’s important to me to make sure that residents are informed and feel comfortable in bringing issues forward, and knowing that you have a voice that is heard – for both things that need improving as well as what’s working well!
From a personal perspective, I am passionate about maintaining my and Joe’s health and happiness so that we are able to do the things we want to do – including my volunteer work at Ronald McDonald House Charities of S.W. Florida (http://www.rmhcswfl.org) where I spend 16-20 hours per month and help at fundraising events. The most fulfilling part is watching premature infants born at the Children’s Hospital who with their entire family, grow and thrive and eventually get home. Whether it’s providing comfort, ensuring the family has a clean room at the beginning of their stay or a hot meal at the end of a tough day, or helping them with questions they have, I know that I am making a difference.
• What qualities to do you most admire in others?
Those who look you in the eye and are honest even if their view might be considered unpopular.
• What’s your next travel destination?
This year it’s Canada to visit with long-time friends from Gateway and another trip to see family & friends from New York where our oldest son and his family reside. Next year we hope to go to northern Italy: Florence, Bologna and Venice!
• Favorite local restaurant?
Angelina’s and Harold’s
• What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen?
That’s easy! I distinctly remember that flying over the Alps from Geneva into Milan took my breath away, and felt like I could reach out of the plane and touch the mountains. Unfortunately, no one on the plane spoke English so I had to keep my excitement to myself!
Thank you, Shannon, for your candid and heartfelt remarks – we are glad you’re here!
