Candidates for Vecinos Board other than for President
Candidates for Vecinos Board other than for PresidentCandidates for Vice President
Helmie Atarie
Owner Akumal Sunshine Vacations
Fulltime resident of Akumal
The Akumal Dive Shop as Receptionist 1987 – 1992
The Akumal Dive Shop as Manager 1992 – 2002
Akumal Management Company – Co founder and Manager 2002 – 2006
Locogringo Inc – Reservations Specialist 2006 – 2011
The Akumal Dive Shop – Reservations Specialist 2011 – 2014
Akumal Sunshine Vacations – Owner / General Manager 2014 – Present
ADMAK(Akumal Property Managers Association) – President 2015 – Present
Vecinos de Akumal Norte honorary member 2018 – Present
Vecinos de Akumal Norte Government Committee member 2019 – Present
Rhette Bolin-Schober
Owner Akumal Villas and Casa Lote H88
Fulltime resident of Akumal since 2004
As owner/operator of Akumal Villas, one of the top property management firms in the area, Rhett Schober would bring a wide range of professional skills to the position of Vice President. He’s got more than 15 years experience dealing with the property owners, vacationers, suppliers and government agencies involved in local property rentals. His tact and competence have always stood him in good stead when resolving problems and fostering compromise.
Over the years, Rhett has contributed to North Akumal and the wider Akumal community through a variety of projects, including:
- Organizing the completion of the road paving project in North Akumal
- Contributing to the construction of the Vecinos Community Center
- Fundraising for the Hekab Be library, Akumal Arts Festival and associated community charities
Rhett first visited the Yucatan as a college student to study the Maya culture and language . After graduating college, he launched a 10 year career in Japan running the international department of a Japanese boarding school. He later made his way back to his hometown of Vail, Colorado to help start-up an outfitting business and to pursue his passion of Fly Fishing. But sixteen years ago, he could no longer resist the calling to return to the Yucatan where his family had started investing in real-estate. His decision to purchase and revamp Akumal Villas made him an instant asset to our community.
When asked why he was running for Vice President of Vecinos de Akumal Norte, Rhett replied: “North Akumal is a diamond in the rough that needs to be polished quite carefully so as not to lose the unique sparkle that makes it such a special place. I aim to foster the cooperative community spirit that will be critical in maintaining North Akumal’s distinctive identity as the association moves forward with projects as diverse as bringing in sewage lines, maintaining the road or managing the tour groups that visit Yalku Lagoon.”
Rhett can be reached via email at <[email protected]>
Candidate for Secretary
Monica Gabriela Estrada Apodaca
President and Owner Coco Propiedades
Fulltime Resident in adjacent area of Solidaridad
Associate Degree in Hospitality Management, Southwest Institute
Texas Realtor since 2002
Akumal Villas Vacation Rentals Reservations 2007-2009
Coco Propiedades Property Management & Rentals, President and Owner since 2012
ADMAK (Akumal Property Managers Association) Founder & Secretary since May 2015
NAS (North Akumal Security) Assisted raising money from Businesses and Owners 2015-2018
As ADMAK member worked along Vecinos de Akumal Norte President Dan Freeman since 2016
Vecinos de Akumal Norte honorary member since 2016
Assisted with coordination of Solar Lamps for Akumal Norte 2017
Worked on Promotion Project #Come2Akumal in 2020
Created FB page Vecinos de Akumal Norte March 2021
Vecinos de Akumal Norte Government Committee member since 2019
Candidate for Treasurer
Tandy Mary Muir-Warden
Owner #4 La Mirage Condos, Lote HD
Lives in Akumal 4 months a year
Current Treasurer, Vecinos de Akumal Norte
Lives in Dunrobin, Ontario Canada
Born and Educated UK, called to the Bar 1968.
Legislative Editor, Canadian Department of Justice 1969-1974.
Legal research, compliance, communications, and management positions in Canadian Competition Bureau (like US-FTC) 1974-1980 and 1981-2002. Retired 2002 as Director, Management Policy and Services
Volunteer experience:
Board member and Chair Bylaws committee, Ottawa Montessori Schools 1983-1987;
Trustee, The Espinosa Memorial Fund, 1987- present,
Patron bodance;
Treasurer: La Mirage Condos 2002 – Present;
Treasurer: Vecinos de Akumal Norte 2012-Present.
David and I bought our condo in La Mirage in 1998 and also a 1/3 interest in La Mirage #6 in 2013. When possible we are in Akumal for 2-3 months in the winter, 1 month in October-November, and 2 weeks in the summer.
After 10 years as Treasurer of Vecinos, I believe that the Association is on a solid financial footing, is understood and supported by the majority of the community, and is well-positioned to take the next steps to secure our legal status. In addition, recent experience has shown the need for a complete review of the Vecinos Bylaws as a priority.
Neil David Canter
Resident of Weston CT
Owner Casa Cascadas
Neil and his wife, Lisa, have owned Casa Cascadas in North Akumal since 2004. They have been supportive dues paying members of Vecinos de Akumal Norte since day one. Now that Neil is retired and spending more time in North Akumal, he’s ready to serve the community is a more official capacity. He brings strong professional skill to the job of At Large Board member, having worked as the global head of analytic consulting for the largest marketing research company in the world since 2015. Neil offers strong technical and analytical skills, a compelling background in management and finance, and decades of marketing expertise. But it is his abiding love for Akumal Norte that best qualifies him to serve as a member of the board. When asked why he was running for the board, Neil said, “I welcome the opportunity to bring my many profession skills to bear on the challenges facing Akumal Norte. I’m confident I could help Vecinos grow exponentially and better contribute to the welfare of the quaint and quiet community we all love so well.”
Candidates for Vocal/Member At Large
Eric Lichtenberg
Owner in Yool Caanal
Fulltime resident of Akumal Norte
Current Vocal, Vecinos de Akumal Norte
email:elichtenberg@ bellsouth.net
Vice-President of an engineering consulting firm (retired)
20-year US Military veteran with expertise in security and major projects (retired)
Since moving here, I have been a volunteer with the Mayakoba Golf Classic (2019-21), the Latin American Golf Championship (2021), the Centro Ecological Akumal Turtle Camp (2019-20) and the Akumal Fiesta de Juegos (2019-21).
“We fell in love with Half Moon Bay and Akumal on our first visit here ten years ago. The natural beauty of the bay and the friendliness of the people made it the standard by which we judged other places we visited on our travels around the world. When it became time to choose a place to retire, Half Moon Bay was at the top of the list. We bought our condo five years ago and live here full time now.
I am committed to preserving and protecting Half Moon Bay, its fragile ecosystem, and its inhabitants.”
Ingrid Elizabeth Datica Urribarri
Co-owns Balam-Ek Lote F27
Current Vocal with responsibility for the Pluma
Nationality: Mexican
- moved to Akumal in 1993 and has lived here ever since.
- co-owns Casa Balam Ek as well as Akumal Dive Shop. In addition, manages, represents, and rents properties in Akumal.
- Vice president of ADMAK, the local Akumal Property Managers Association
- Vecinos de Akumal Norte, chair of Security Committe and member of the government committee.
Work Experience primarily in ecology, event planning, real estate rentals, and property management
- 2020 Present — Las Casas de la Selva, Puerto Rico: Special Projects 2020 Present — Synergia Ranch, Santa Fe, New Mexico: John Allen’s personal Assistant and archive.
- 2019 Present — Website builder/blogger
- 2017 – Present — Fellow of the Institute of Ecotechnics
- 2017 – 2017 — Production Assistant in Fellini film Mexico
- 2016 – Present — Shareowner of the Akumal Dive Shop
- 2015 – Present — Vice President of ADMAK (Administradores de Akumal) 2008 – 2009 — Diplomado en Ingenieria de Productos turisticos, Marketing, y competitividad. (ACTI Consultores en Turismo)
- 2000 – 2007 — Share Owner of the Agency Travel Services of Akumal
- 1995 – 1997 – Vice-President of Planetary Coral Reef Field Station, Akumal, Q.Roo Mexico
Life Work: Dancer, singer, painter, marketer, organizer, photographer, blogger.
Lynda Joyce Kerney
Owner of #9 La Sirena Lote H34-35
Fulltime resident of Akumal Norte since 2017
LYNDA J. KERNEY, M.P.A.
www.linkedin.com/in/lynda-kerney-mpa
Hello neighbors; it is with the wellbeing and preservation of our beautiful community in mind that I ask for your vote. The unique atmosphere, beauty, and vibe of Akumal Norte drew my husband and I here full time in September 2017. My priorities are to ensure that the ambiance and feel of the community is preserved as best it can be under the current pressures of development, and to work toward expediting needed services such as the sewer line. Please consider:
- Longtime and well-known volunteer in former home community, including neighborhood organization
- 25+ years in local government administration (California)
- Legislative Assistant to elected County Supervisor (10 years)
- Transferable skills:
- Excellent written communication
- Preparation of agendas and meeting minutes
- Consensus-building
- Organization and planning
- Resourcefulness and neutrality
- Attention to detail and follow-through
- Knowledge of:
- Policymaking
- Community related issues and solutions
- Meeting protocol
Eric Lichtenberg
Owner in Yool Caanal
Fulltime resident of Akumal Norte
Current Vocal, Vecinos de Akumal Norte
email:elichtenberg@ bellsouth.net
Vice-President of an engineering consulting firm (retired)
20-year US Military veteran with expertise in security and major projects (retired)
Since moving here, I have been a volunteer with the Mayakoba Golf Classic (2019-21), the Latin American Golf Championship (2021), the Centro Ecological Akumal Turtle Camp (2019-20) and the Akumal Fiesta de Juegos (2019-21).
“We fell in love with Half Moon Bay and Akumal on our first visit here ten years ago. The natural beauty of the bay and the friendliness of the people made it the standard by which we judged other places we visited on our travels around the world. When it became time to choose a place to retire, Half Moon Bay was at the top of the list. We bought our condo five years ago and live here full time now.
I am committed to preserving and protecting Half Moon Bay, its fragile ecosystem, and its inhabitants.”
Gerardo Arturo Orozco Lopez
Owner of Lote 80
Moved to Akumal Norte in 1981
Gerardo is running for an At-Large Member of the board in the hopes he might apply his expertise in real-estate and government relations in service of our community and our efforts to “regularize” our legal status vis a vis the Tax Office (“Catastro”) in Tulum.
Gerardo moved to Akumal in 1981 and was actually one of the first children to live here. He attended Anahuac University in Merida and, after graduating, began working in local government and tourism. He returned to Akumal to work at Akumal Dive Center, family business but quickly branched out into working in real-estate, too.
Gerardo currently manages projects under development in Holbox, Playa del Carmen (Secrets Moxche), Cancun, Merida, and Campeche. In all these projects I am in charge of the final developent, including the technical, financial and commercial studies. Gerardo also provides real estate consulting services with special expertise in government relations. When asked by he was running for the board, Gerardo explained:
“I grew up in Akumal. I love Akumal. And if there is anything to do to preserve the things that make Akumal such a quiet, unique and laid back community, you can count on me.”
Gerardo can be reached via email at <[email protected]>
Elias Papadopoulos
New Owner of Casa Bella Lote H14
Lives in Brookline MA
The new owner of Casa Bella, Elias Papadopoulos has, from Day 1 last August, thrown himself into improving his property, He is now ready to step up to the plate in getting equally involved in improving our community by volunteering to serve as an At Large Member of the board.
Elias is 55 years old and has been running a RE/MAX franchise in Brookline Massachusetts since 2004. With almost 40 years experience in the real estate business, Elias knows what it takes to protect property values. He currently employs 36 agents at his firm.
His family of 5, including his wife Linda, have already enjoyed multiple stays here in North Akumal and bring fresh eyes and ideas to our community. They successfully hosted some of the artists who participated in the Akumal Arts Festival and look forward to getting involved in lots more community projects. When asked by he was running for the board, Elias replied:
“I always try to bring a positive attitude and look for solutions. I was raised to always leave something better than I found it and I believe, little by little and step by step we can make Akumal Norte an even better place to live and share with others.”
Elias can be reached via email at <[email protected]>
George Ernest Pritchard
Owner #2 La Bahia Lote G47
Current Vocal, Vecinos de Akumal Norte
Lives in Akumal 6-7 months each year
We started coming to Akumal in 2000. Bought our condo in La Bahia in 2012.We usually spend a total of 6-7 months in Akumal.
I have actually owned and managed construction companies for 35 years before retiring in 2005.
I have served on many boards, both for profit and non-profit companies. I was President of the Mid America show board. This was a 6-member board that held trade shows in 11 states.
I helped form an education training program for training personnel in the swimming pool industry and was an instructor for the program.
I am Treasurer for La Bahia and oversee all maintenance of the building. I am also on the board of directors of Vecinos.
Michel Lee Stone
Owner of La Iguana condo #13 Lote H33 for seventeen years.
Retired and living in Akumal full time for the last two years.
RESIDENTE PERMANENTE as of 01/03/2020.
A Tool and Die maker with Oberg Manufacturing for 36 years. Traveled outside U.S. as instructor for the company.
I have been on the Vigilance Committee of La Iguana association for 12 years and the President of the association for five of those years
Peter William Swenson
Owner # Mi Casa Del Mar since 1999
Current Vocal, Vecinos de Akumal Norte
Lives in Akumal 4-5 months a year
I am a semi-retired consultant in the nuclear engineering field, having spent my professional life as an executive in large programmes world-wide. I am currently supporting the design of the next generation fast breeder reactor for ARC Clean Energy. Previous assignments include:
- Programme Director, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
- Head of Project Office, ITER experimental fusion reactor, Cadarache France,
- Deputy Director, FIFA World Cup, Doha Qatar
- Director, Contracts and Procurement, CH2MHILL, Denver Colorado
- Director, Rocky Flats Plant, Golden Colorado
- Senior Consultant Positions:
- Paris 2024 Olympics
- Dubai Work Expo 2020
- West Valley Nuclear Plant
- Express Canada Pipeline
My wife Barbara and I bought our condo at Mi Casa del Mar in 1999 to enjoy the diving and the local culture, and we now split time between Akumal and our home in Boulder Colorado. We typically spend 4-5 months in Akumal a year.
We live in a unique and beautiful place, distinct from other communities up and down this coast. I support Vecinos because I believe that as property owners, we need to work to maintain the character of our community despite the changes coming from intense development and tourism.
My priorities include:
- Establishing the boundaries of North Akumal and codifying our role with the Municipality
- Installation of a community sewer system
- Security, road maintenance, traffic control, and lighting
Beryl van Lierop
Owner #2 Yalku Kai since 1994
Fulltime resident since 2006
Current Vice President,Vecinos de Akumal Norte
- Attended schools in Buenos Aires, Beirut, New York, Mississippi
- Bilingual Spanish/English
- Graduated in Political Science/Spanish
- Taught in the International Baccalaureate program in Jackson,Mississippi public schools.
- Chairman foreign language department Jackson Public Schools
- Led student and college alumni tours of Yucatán/QR.
- Board member Belhaven Heights Home Owners Association
- Owned Yal Ku Cai condo 2 since 1994.
- Permanent resident since retirement in 2006.
- President of Yal Ku Cai condos
- Member of Vecinos and Akumal council until their dissolution
- Vice President Vecinos de Akumal Norte 2016-present
- Presiding President of Vecinos de Akumal Norte Annual Meeting
Lisa Gail Wilson
Owner of Casa Fortuna Lote 50 and Lote 51A
Lives in Akumal 3 months a year
Legal Resident Quintana Roo
Lisa is a retired marketing executive with professional experience in non-profit fundraising and membership development for environmental organizations. She remains active in many U.S.-based environmental groups and recently joined the board of the Yucatan Environmental Foundation. Lisa and her husband Alex live in the suburbs of Washington, DC but have recently become legal residents of Mexico and enjoy spending at least 3 months a year in Akumal. If elected to the Vecinos board, Lisa would focus on membership recruitment and fundraising initiatives. When asked why she was running for a seat on the board Lisa said,
“I fell in love with North Akumal the first time I visited. I’m a nature girl. I love hiking through the jungle to discover Laguna Lagartos at sunrise or snorkeling the reef in Half Moon Bay. But I also see how endangered our natural environment is. If elected to the board, I would work hard to make sure we become more proactive stewards of the natural world around us.”
Lisa can be reached via email at <[email protected]>
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