From the President of the Board of Trustees

 

I grew up attending the CSA every summer, where I worked as a lifeguard and taught swimming and lifesaving. There was a 35-year hiatus when I used limited vacation time to hike in our national parks or travel to other countries. We bought the family cottage in 2006, and after retiring in 2019, my wife Liz and I enjoy summers at the CSA, where we are visited by our three adult children, their spouses, and eight grandchildren. We moved from Cleveland to Augusta, GA, to be closer to family, and celebrated our 52nd wedding anniversary this year.

 

I am a retired Cardiologist and was a Professor of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis before joining the Cleveland Clinic, where I directed Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology and was Vice Chair of Cardiology. I was active in professional organizations, which included serving as Chair of the Board of Governors for the American College of Cardiology, President of the Heart Rhythm Society, chaired international scientific sessions, and served on budget and finance committees for both organizations.

 

Hobbies include hiking, swimming, and sailing our Hobie Getaway, so you can look for me on the beach. Liz has helped with the Cottage Treasures program. "CSA relatives" include my sister Neta Pringle and nieces Beth Congbalay and Kate Pringle.

 

Board of Trustees Officers - Gary Dawley, Bruce Lindsay, Lisa Dunphey, Beth SeatonI joined the CSA Board last year and was asked to follow Jenn Swetland as President of the Board following our recent Annual Meeting. She did such an outstanding job and is working with me to make a smooth transition. I plan to meet with many of the committee chairs to assess some of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

 

One of the striking characteristics of the CSA is that it is a member driven organization that depends on volunteers to serve in leadership capacities or to contribute to the broad range of activities that the CSA offers. In aggregate, volunteers support buildings and grounds, recreational activities, the arts program, the youth program, education, fund raising, spiritual life, communications, and others. Volunteers also provide governance by serving as committee chairs and through participation on the committees. In short, volunteers are our greatest asset. One of the challenges the Board will discuss is how we can encourage people to participate in committee or community activities and make it easier for them when their time is so limited. I anticipate that we will add this to our discussions in the open forums as we move forward. I look forward to an exciting year!