I am a civil engineer by training, with studies in architecture, urban planning, and transportation planning.  I own a small consulting firm with about 15 senior consultants, and I am happy to be able to run my company from my house here in Princeville!  We conduct large feasibility studies for infrastructure projects mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and South America.  I am responsible for business development, proposals, finances, and administration.  I recently adopted a stray puppy, Bella.  You may have seen me walk her morning and evening in my Queens Bath neighborhood, and at the dog park. 

Why I am running for a Board seat:

Princeville is a unique place on a unique Island. We are all blessed to be part of these communities, but every community must adapt to change over time.  I believe that my professional background and participation on the strategic and other PHCA committees in the last few years are relevant to a PHCA board position.  I am an avid “Googler”, always searching and learning about how others have solved problems in just about any area.  Many planned communities in the U.S. face similar problems to ours.  We can learn how others have solved problems to inform how we could solve ours.  I have always asked pointed questions in PHCA meetings and hopefully made practical and useful suggestions.

What I would try to accomplish on the Board

Our community was developed starting in the 1970s.  The World has changed since and so has the makeup of our community. Our members all have different needs and interests.  Here are some things I would try to help accomplish on the Board:

• Communicate more effectively within the membership about what needs to be done and what could be done, and why,
• Research solutions that have worked elsewhere and see how they can be applied here,
• Improve how PHCA buys necessary goods and services at a competitive price and quality, and
• Help define where we want to be 10 to 15 years from now, improve our brand as a community, and protect our personal and community investments in Princeville.

I am running for a position on this year’s PHCA Board, and I would be honored to have your support.

Please feel free to contact me by email at bmarkowicz@decisionanalysis.net should you have questions or comments.

My answers to the four PHCA questions:

What makes Princeville a great place to live?

I wake up every morning and never get tired of the views of the mountains, the ocean, the greenery, the sun, the breeze!  Whether we are residents, renters, or vacationers, we are truly blessed to be here.  Folks are friendly, neighbors are helpful, drivers are (for the most part) courteous, and the community is very safe and generally well maintained.

What would make Princeville a better community?

I believe that we need to think more about our future and prepare for it. For instance, PHCA should have the monetary reserves to address periodic road renewals, plan for a robust trail system open to everyone, protect our priceless wildlife, and manage our growth in a smart way.  We should align our community groups along common objectives that preserve what we have and prepare for changes.  We should have more constructive dialogs between residents, hotels, condo and timeshare associations, and vacation rental owners.  

What would you consider the top priorities for the Board in the coming year?

The Board should walk and chew gum at the same time! What I mean is that the Board should be able to handle the day-to-day issues (by providing direction to PHCA Management), make sure that we spend our dues money wisely, and put in place necessary programs to maintain and enhance what we have.  Committees have been a great resource to the Board, but we all have a fiduciary responsibility to research and evaluate options for any proposed action. Let’s compare bids for infrastructure and services, let’s learn from other places, let’s find sensible ways to manage our environment, and let’s consider the needs of every group in our community.

How do you think you can best contribute to the Board?

I believe that my professional and personal experiences will bring a useful perspective to the Board, helping the Board consider new solutions to current problems and future issues.  I see my role as asking hard questions and hopefully bringing answers for consideration in a civil and collaborative manner.  I would also try to develop better relationships between the Board and the various groups making up our community, with periodic meetings with community members to listen directly to concerns and needs.

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