The Rio Verde Community Association (RVCA) has announced the five candidates for election to the association board of directors at the March annual meeting.

The five individuals selected by the RVCA Nominating Committee include Bobbie Craven, George McCone, Stephen McGuire, Drewellen Renschler and Tom Stegmann. The candidates will fill the five expiring terms on the board.

The candidate biographical information follows:

Bobbie Craven has been a Rio Verde homeowner since 2016 and is currently a full-time resident. She is a graduate of the University of Denver with a master’s from the University of Northern Colorado in science education. She had a 40-year career as an educator and has served on numerous boards and committees in Colorado and Rio Verde.

“I would like to serve as a Rio Verde HOA Board member to help make informed decisions that benefit the entire community,” Craven said. “Balancing personal interests with the needs of the community requires board members who will listen and have open communication with residents. Rio Verde is a unique community, and I am committed to the work that will be needed to maintain the lifestyle we desire in the future.”

George McCone has been a Rio Verde homeowner since 2017 and is currently a full-time resident. He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from North Dakota State University. McCone has had a career in human resource management and as a small business owner. He has served on several RVCA committees as well as for non-profit organizations.

“Rio Verde is our home and I want it to remain the wonderful community we fell in love with,” McCone said. “Now that this is our permanent home, I am more able to contribute to this goal. There are serious issues facing the community and I want to work to resolve them.

“I have a proven track record as a leader of people and reaching consensus. I possess the skills, experience and desire to work on today’s issues and understand how today’s decisions will impact Rio Verde tomorrow.”

Stephen McGuire has been a Rio Verde homeowner since 2018 and a full-time resident since 2020. His education is in economics and finance from Wabash College (BA) and Purdue University (MS). His working career was 36 years with General Motors in marketing and global product launches. He is currently on the marketing committees for both the RVCA and Rio Verde Country Club.

“We love the Rio life – golf, pickleball, hiking, bridge, lectures series and more and we have met amazing friends. I believe it’s important to serve so I can help protect the Rio life we enjoy,” McGuire said. “I believe the community and the RVCA need to continue to collaborate together on our joint concerns such as our water situation. We have an aging treatment plant and concerns about where EPCOR will locate a standpipe for the RV Foothills. My experience with large projects in a corporate environment helps me understand the benefits of both local knowledge and professional support.

“We need to ensure our message gets through the clutter and is understood by the people who will make these decisions. I am applying because I want to play a part in preserving Rio’s unique position as a beautiful, robust golf community with a wealth of activities and welcoming people.”

Drewellen Renschler has been a Rio Verde homeowner since 2004 and is currently a part-time resident. She received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Nebraska. She had a career of more than 30 years as a computer programmer/analyst including in a consulting capacity. She has served on numerous boards and committees including a number in the Rio Verde community.

“Since the first time Tim and I drove by Rio Verde on our way to Fountain Hills, we knew that this was where we wanted to spend our retirement years,” Renschler said. “The surrounding area’s natural beauty and the town’s remoteness appealed to us. To our surprise, we discovered a community of actively involved retired people that welcomed us.

“The most valuable skill I would bring to the board would be problem-solving skills. Changes must inevitably be made to stay competitive and draw new residents to our community. I would use common sense and keep an open mind while actively working to maintain and grow the amenities in Rio Verde. The diversity of amenities and access to the surrounding recreational opportunities will continue to draw new residents to our community.

“A crucial issue facing Rio Verde is the growing community surrounding us. The influx of new homes will bring more traffic and noise, potential crime, problems of security and safety, and competition when marketing our homes. I look forward to working with other Rio Verde residents to weather these challenges.

Tom Stegmann has been a Rio Verde homeowner since 1997 and a full-time resident since 2012. He is an engineer by profession educated at Washington University in St. Louis. His career has included working at nuclear and coal-fired power plants as well as engineering software sales and marketing. He eventually moved into sales, marketing and business development for software and technology, mostly for small start-up companies. He has been an RVCA board member for five years serving on several committees and project management.

“Rio Verde has been a great experience for us since we moved here full time 12 years ago,” Stegmann said. “I’ve always believed that it is up to each one of us to be involved in our community to ensure its continued growth and success. It’s been gratifying being involved in the progress of the RVCA and the Golf Club. The next three years will be challenging and exciting as we address the issues of water and wastewater with our neighbors and continue to create the Rio Verde for the next generation of residents.”

Ballots will be mailed to all residents by Feb. 23. To be counted, they must be delivered by hand delivery or by U.S Mail, at or before the start of the meeting, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., Tuesday, March 26, in the Community Church of the Verdes Sanctuary.