My wife Sandra and I have owned our single-family home on Wildcat Point since July 2020, and have been full-time Seabrook Island residents since December 2021. We were immediately taken by not only the beauty and serenity of the island but also the community. When I had the opportunity to retire early, moving here full-time became an obvious decision. Our adult children, three dogs, and a cat all agree it was a brilliant move.
We moved here from Charlotte, concurrent with my retirement from Aon after 33 years in the employee benefits industry. Most of those were spent consulting with Fortune 500 companies on their health and welfare benefit programs. My career culminated in a role leading a $1B business unit with over 1800 employees – something I would never have fathomed when I entered the actuarial profession three decades earlier. I was blessed to work in remarkable companies with remarkable people, which is something I never take for granted. I currently do a modest amount of part-time advisory and board work, but I am retired from full-time employment.
My background as an actuary and consultant helped me develop critical thinking skills, particularly around risk management. My time in leadership helped me understand the importance of collaboration and high-functioning teams. My two years on the Aon operating committee gave me stronger perspectives on the importance of governance for an organization of any size.
Outside of work, I enjoy being invested in my surroundings. I have served on the SIPOA Finance Committee for the past three years, so I understand both our current financial strength and our future financial challenges. Previously, I spent 10+ years on the board of a 300-family neighborhood club in Charlotte, which was among the most satisfying and rewarding experiences of my life. I have also volunteered with several nonprofit groups, including as board member of the Hewitt Associates Foundation. In addition, I spent many years as a youth sports coach (a trait that I’ve enjoyed seeing my kids inherit!).
Like most property owners, Sandra and I enjoy so many things the island has to offer – golf, tennis, pickleball, the Lake House, 9-ball league, community garden, the beach, bonfires, kayaking, even the occasional trip to the equestrian center. But most of all, we have enjoyed being part of this community. It has given us so much, and I am at a point in my post-professional life where I have ample time to give back.
We have some important decisions to make in the coming years, but I am encouraged by the collaborative tone that currently exists between the three island entities (town, club, and SIPOA). We recognize how special this place is, and that we as property owners share a responsibility to each other and our broader community to constantly review and recalibrate our course, in order to maintain the idyllic environment that attracted us all to the island. This is what inspires me to volunteer to serve on the SIPOA Board of Directors.