Memorial Parkway HOA 2024 Annual Meeting and Board Candidate Bios
Join us for the 2024 Memorial Parkway HOA Annual Meeting and Board Member Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at the MPCA Clubhouse, located at 21600 Cimarron Parkway, Katy TX 77450, at 7:00 PM.
Please see the link to the Agenda.
At the Annual Meeting, there will be a Board Election to fill two Board member positions. The candidates running for the 2025 Board of Director position are Bill Fischer, Charles Herring, Jaynie LaVerne, Sarah Gemmell and William Pongrass. Please take a minute to read their bios below.
In order to have an official meeting, a quorum of 10% of the membership must be present through actual attendance or by directed proxy. If you cannot attend the meeting, please fill out and return the directed proxy prior to the Annual Meeting. If you are granting your proxy to an owner other than the Board President, please make sure he or she will be attending the meeting. The paper proxy form will be mailed along with the annual statements to all homeowners this week.
Link to online voting: Directed Proxy Vote
Link to the PDF: Directed Proxy Form
Candidate Bios
Bill Fisher
I have been a proud member of this wonderful neighborhood since 2012. Over the years, I've observed neighboring communities grow and flourish, while ours has remained largely unchanged. My personal experiences with inconsistent violation notices—like when my children installed a simple slackline for play and received a citation—have highlighted the need for clearer communication and more reasonable regulations within our HOA.
With over 40 years in the IT industry as an AI and Automation specialist, my expertise lies in researching complex tasks to achieve cost efficiencies. Last year's operating budget was over $1.2 million, amounting to approximately $545.45 per household, yet our dues are $425. Without implementing new efficiencies, it's inevitable that our yearly dues will increase. Continuing on this path is unsustainable. If elected to the HOA Board, I intend to:
- Improve Financial Efficiency: Identify areas to reduce costs without compromising the quality of our community services.
- Enhance Transparency: Foster open communication between the board and residents to build trust and collaboration.
- Revitalize Our Neighborhood: Transform our community into a sought-after destination, not just a passageway between I-10 and Cinco Ranch.
I am committed to leveraging my skills and experience to serve our community effectively. I believe I am well-qualified to represent you on our HOA Board, and I look forward to the opportunity to make a positive impact together.
Charles Herring
I am running for re-election to the MP board. I am currently retired and I am now able to volunteer more time to the community. I have lived in Memorial Parkway for 37 years and have been involved with the homeowners’ association for 17 years while serving on the Board for the past 14 years. Prior to this, I served with my wife, Susan, on the Security Committee for many years.
Keeping property values high and our neighborhood safe are my foremost priority. As an auditor for 40 years, I understand the value of a dollar and the proper/ethical use of our community’s money. I enjoy visiting with my neighbors at the Board and committee meetings to listen to their concerns and helping them find equitable solutions. My children grew up in this neighborhood and I will continue to strive to do my best to keep Memorial Parkway a safe neighborhood where families choose to make their home.
Jaynie La Verne
I am a local Real Estate investor with multiple rental properties and other investments acting as my own Property Manager. My client(s) of choice— single moms and homeless veterans. I manage business relationships with contractors, agents, tenants and buyers/sellers/wholesalers. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for a complex where I manage several rental properties. I work closely with our HOA and their staff and the local law enforcement groups working as our security team. I have also assisted in HOA property audits for multiple properties with a local Real Estate Agent.
Previously, I worked in the energy field at a major oilfield manufacturing company. There, I worked in various environments from manufacturing plant to corporate office and departments from Accounting and IT/Audit to Sales/Marketing. While working in IT/Audit, I managed multiple contracts. In one incident, I was able to save the company several hundred thousand dollars in negotiation with our vendors. In another, I helped them avoid an issue with the SEC due to a miscommunication with our external audit firm. I also worked in multiple departments including Payroll and HR for which I maintained confidential data and prepared government reports. I have maintained departmental budgets and customer and vendor contracts. In addition, for a period of time, I was webmaster for this company.
I enjoyed a short stint a few continued from front page - years ago as private tutor for an HCC Criminal Justice student (whose native language was not English) with less than average English language speaking and writing skills. I assisted him in greatly improving his writing and language skills—resulting in the student earning a Certificate of Merit from the Dean of Student Development.
I currently own my own business for which I prepare taxes and budget and act as Property Manager. I’m a self-starter and problem solver with an excellent work ethic. I am retired but feel I have a lot left to learn and to accomplish. I am quite interested in the budget and in the security issues of our community and the relationships among the Board of Directors, HOA, homeowners and surrounding neighborhoods.
I feel I have a lot to offer due to the issues I have encountered as a Board member at another community. I am concerned about the age of our community and possibility of its decline. The Board has done a good job keeping this in check and I would like to be a part of that process. I have lived in this neighborhood for almost 40 years and have seen it in good times and bad, through tornados and hurricanes, power outages, periods of vandalism and shootings—we seem to be on the rise and I want to live here for many more years. I would like to be a more active participant going forward.
Sarah Gemmell
I’m Sarah Gemmell, and I’ve been a proud homeowner in our community for almost seven years. I’m running for the HOA board because I believe every one of us deserves to feel informed, respected, and involved in the decisions that impact our homes and our lives.
As a Director of Procurement, I have extensive experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets, overseeing project bids, and ensuring that every dollar spent delivers value. I know how critical transparency and accountability are in building trust and making smart financial decisions, and I want to bring those values to our HOA board.
Right now, it’s frustrating for many of us to get access to basic information like the monthly general ledger, utility costs, or project bids. The board’s habit of hiding behind the HOA attorney and keeping details in the dark raises a question we must all ask: What are they trying to hide? This lack of openness doesn’t just waste money; it breeds mistrust and hurts our community spirit.
If I am elected, I will endeavor to make all financial documents and decisions available on the portal for everyone to see. I will promote a culture where questions are welcomed, where every homeowner feels their concerns are heard, and where decisions are made with clarity and fairness. I understand the financial challenges many of us face, especially our long-term residents who want to stay in the homes they love without the burden of rising dues. I will work tirelessly to keep our dues low while ensuring our neighborhood remains a safe and thriving place for all of us. We can achieve this through smart management, strategic planning, and honest governance that prioritizes the needs of our community.
If you are ready for a board that communicates openly, manages finances responsibly, and values your input, I ask for your vote. Together, we can create a community where every homeowner feels informed, included, and proud to call this place home.
William Pongrass
I am running again for a position on the MPCA Board of Directors to continue to serve the community and achieve the goals I have set for our neighborhood. I have served in the past and I am active and engaging with the residents, other Board members and office staff. I talk to residents most every day and am always open to their thoughts, ideas and input on community needs. I bring new ideas to the meetings and I am very conservative when it comes to spending the homeowner’s money.
It is important to continue to keep the neighborhood nice and attractive by adding amenities and spending money in the right places to continue to attract young families. I will continue to strive to keep this a nice family neighborhood where people are proud to live and own a home. I will continue to emphasize the safety and security of Memorial Parkway, as well as supporting to pay for a fourth constable.
I grew up in Katy, graduated from Taylor High School, became a homeowner in the subdivision in 1986 and have been employed with the United States Postal Service since 1987. I am a Union Official for the National Association of Letter Carriers representing Katy. I have volunteered for our Fire Department for 8 years (2008-2016) in the past and coached youth baseball for several years. Also, volunteered numerous hours at my work. I enjoy volunteering in my community.
I practice Jui Jitsui in my spare time and try to find time to spend at the gym. My son is a graduate of Taylor High School and is a Junior at the University of Houston. He is also a volunteer EMT at a Community Fire/EMT Department. My step-daughter graduated from University of Texas in May and is a marine biologist. My step son is a junior at A&M Corpus Christi. My wife is a teacher at Nottingham Elementary. Her passions include spin classes and teaching high level English to native Spanish speakers.
Myself and my family have enjoyed living in Memorial Parkway and calling this community home. Your vote will be appreciated.
Source: Memorial Parkway HOA
