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Candidate Statements
Andrea Vaughn, Membership Committee Chair
My name is Andrea Vaughn, and I am running for a board position. I have been a beach member all my life. I am a 3rd generation DLPOA family member. My grandfather was a founding member of DLPOA and served on the inaugural board of directors. I am married with two adult kids. My daughter is a junior in college and my son, who is out of college, has entered full adult life and is working in the Bay Area.
We are a family that uses the beach a lot. You can find us almost every weekend in the summer sitting with our fellow beach members, enjoying the water. My husband and I would say our favorite activity is floating in rafts out by the swim line. My kids would say waterskiing in the early morning behind the boat!
I have been active in the DLPOA leadership for the past several years including serving as a board member. I have been part of the membership committee and will now be the chairperson. As membership chair, I am responsible for making sure our bylaws are followed when admitting new members to the association and that inherited properties are transferred correctly. I continuously audit the current membership list and work with families who need to transfer membership from their parents to them. I like to make contact with those families as soon as possible because inherited memberships receive a substantial initiation discount, but there is a deadline.
During this past winter I have been on the new portal rollout team. Many of you might have had emails and/or phone calls from me. During this process, we audited the entire membership list dating back to the 1950s. There were 3 databases with numerous errors that we were able to fix. The team worked with the software development company the association hired. We had weekly, if not several times a week, conference calls to create the portal you all renewed with. We now have clean data in one location, and there are checks and balances in place to help ensure that the bylaws are being followed.
The renewal process was easy for some and difficult for others due to a variety of reasons. I would love input as we continue to improve our processes. The team’s goal was to make the process seamless for our members, and we worked hard to quickly address issues encountered by some of the members.
I kindly ask for your vote in this election. Giving back to the DLPOA has given me a lot of joy. I love working with both current members and new members. I have met so many great people doing this job.
Charley Tiff, Incumbent Board Member and Treasurer
Hello DLPOA members,
I'm asking for your support to continue as DLPOA Treasurer for 2026 and 2027. I've been on the Board for seven years and became Treasurer after a post-2025 vacancy, thanks to a smooth transition from John Henry Byer and Ray Hapai.
With Ray and Sharon Hapai retiring soon, we're updating our office operations and adopting modern electronic practices. We launched the DLPOA Portal for membership and services, upgraded to QuickBooks Online for accounting, and moved most accounts payable to the RAMP platform. In 2026, we'll add an online payroll system so staff can be paid electronically streamlining the old process of mailing paper checks for signatures. These updates were collaboratively developed to ensure a seamless transition following Ray and Sharon’s dedicated service.
Charley
Ed Meyer, Incumbent Board Member
I, Ed Meyer, would like to submit my name for re-election to the Board. As a small business owner and a proud family man, I have truly valued my role with the DLPOA Board. I have been with the board for many years and continue to help contribute ideas and listen to all sides so that we come to the best solution for everyone. I have been on the Bylaws Committee, the Membership Experience Committee (the new portal roll-out), and I always try to work with everyone to come up with the best solutions that are ideal for everyone in the DLPOA. I come to the table with an open mind, family-first values, and a background in successfully managing the logistics of adapting old tradition with ever-changing necessities as times continue to change. Utmost, I come with integrity, loyalty and respect. As many of my grandchildren have learned to ride bikes on the streets around Donner and swim in the lake, I want to see the safety and cleanliness of our beach preserved for generations to come and make it the best place ever for families and friends to enjoy the blessings of what our beautiful beach offers.
I have served as Picnic Chairman for the past 8 years and will continue to do the job in the future. My family always loves seeing everyone at the annual BBQ and appreciates everyone who helps and cooks, including the Vaughn family.
I also want to recommend Andrea Vaughn as she has been working so hard on the Membership Experience Committee and working many hours along with Michelle to get the new portal up and running smoothly to retain membership and making the new site easier for all to use. As Barb Lewis is retiring, these are big shoes to fill, but Andrea has been trained by Barb and will do an amazing job for years to come. As a previous key board member, for some reason she lost by 4 votes last election. Despite not being on the board this year, she continues to work on the DLPOA’s behalf, so we need her back on her board.
I promise to keep an open mind and serve the DLPOA Board with pride.
Sincerely,
Ed Meyer
Ken Wood, Incumbent Board Member
My name is Ken Wood. I am interested in running for the DLPOA Board of Directors.
My wife Sue, daughter Emma and myself live nearby in Auburn, CA. My family (Dad, Uncle & Grandpa) built our cabin here at Donner Lake in 1961 and we have been members of the DLPOA for 65 years. I have grown up helping and participating in all the DLPOA summer events (sandcastle contest, membership BBQ, social events,
Member meetings on the beach…), playing volleyball, swimming, boating, and enjoying all our area has to offer. I am grateful for having all that the DLPOA provides for us here at Donner Lake.
My heart lies in understanding member’s desires for enjoying the DLPOA beach area, maintaining our DLPOA beach and improving upon what we already have. I hope to meet more of the membership and work towards a strong future for the DLPOA. Please consider a vote for me as a DLPOA Board member. Thank you.
Ken Wood
Merrick Browne, Jr., Incumbent Board Member
Merrick Browne, Jr. has been an active member of the DLPOA Board since 2015. He and his wife, along with their two children, have enjoyed being part of the DLPOA community since 2008. The family atmosphere and strong sense of camaraderie among members are qualities Merrick is committed to preserving and strengthening.
Self-employed for over 36 years, Merrick brings extensive business and leadership experience. He currently serves on multiple boards, including a property management company in San Francisco and the California Cheese and Butter Association, where he represents member interests and helps guide strategic decisions. His background includes fiscal oversight, managing large-scale maintenance projects, and effective negotiation and budgeting.
Our beach and community are truly special. Their preservation and continued enjoyment reflect the dedication of our members, staff, and Board. Merrick remains committed to supporting that mission and respectfully asks for your continued support and vote.
Merrick Browne