ONE LAST THING - GETTING TO KNOW MIKE KLONOSKI, COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER

When did you move to Desert Mountain, and what made you decide on moving here?

We bought our home in 2006. I was already familiar with the area since I graduated from Arizona State. To me, what distinguished Desert Mountain from the rest of Phoenix is that it’s a high desert community. We’re at 3,000 feet, and the foliage and animals are incredibly interesting and the topography is extraordinary. When you throw that on top of the six golf courses that were here, it was a pretty easy choice!

How long after moving to Desert Mountain did you become involved as a community volunteer?

It was about two to three years later. Because the community was transitioning from a developerowned club to a member-owned club, an Advisory Board was formed to oversee this transition. I was fortunate to join the Advisory Board after Bob Borsch, Roger Dunbar and others had already done so much toward the transition to a memberowned club. It was an extremely interesting time. We were very happy with the outcome of the process, with the members acquiring all the clubhouses, furnishings, art, the golf courses, and Parcel 19, for a really reasonable price. I also served on the first Club Board. That was a very difficult time. Unlike today, we were leaking members and were probably down to 1,700 at one time. I was also on the Board during the Sonoran renovation and expansion, and became involved in the final negotiations with the general contractor. That was a very controversial project, and of course now, we can’t imagine the Club without the Sonoran.

At that time, there was acrimony between the Club Board and the HOA Board. So instead of running for the Club Board again, I ran for the HOA Board. I was on various committees and served as Vice President and then President for two terms. I resigned this last year because 6-7 years on the HOA Board is enough, and it’s time to let new officers and board members to work toward realizing their vision of the community.

What’s the most positive change you’ve seen happen in Desert Mountain?

My mission was to have the HOA and the Club Boards realize that although they can be separate boards with separate priorities, it is one community. In order for the community to succeed, they need to be working in lockstep with one another. The two Boards need a strong working relationship, to be mindful of what each is doing and when possible, help each other. That’s a cultural change. And I think there’s been a cultural change at the HOA, too: I believe we now have a “Culture of Yes.” Each year it has gotten better and better, and now it’s pretty extraordinary.

What is the main goal of an HOA?

HOAs are in place to protect home values. It’s critical that everything from the monument sign at the entrance, to the condition of the roadways, to the experience at the gate be first class. I chaired the Safety & Access Committee before I became President, and we have worked hard over the last several years to be sure that the safety and security of our residents comes first. One of the reasons that our homes continue to appreciate is because the HOA does its homework and takes care of infrastructure, security, and the needs of our residents. The HOA staff and the Board have definitely contributed to the increase in home values here!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I have six wonderful grandkids that are mostly young adults, and I have the good fortune of having them respond to me when I reach out to them. They are a passion of my life. Family is obviously very important to me. Joanne and I enjoy travel. We have plans to visit Egypt and Jordan this year. Other hobbies are obviously golf because I live at Desert Mountain. For a continued on next page L