2025 Candidates for the sdcea board of directors
Introducing Your 2025 SDCEA Board of Directors Candidates
Lisa Blackburn
Lisa and her husband Larry bought a house in SDCE in November of 2023, after an exhaustive search for the right retirement home across multiple communities in multiple states. Although Lisa traveled extensively while working for IBM, including Africa, Austria, Brazil, China, France, Hungary, India, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Spain and the UK, and she and Larry have owned homes in New York, Texas and Northern California, Southern California has always had a special place in her heart, and she was thrilled to be able to move home after her most recent assignment of 24 years in New York.
Since her retirement as VP, Global HR Business Development from IBM in July 2024, Lisa enjoys spending time with her friends and family, walking her two dogs on the lovely trails, ballroom dancing or riding her horses along with her husband. Her son, Brandon is currently serving in the Army.
Lisa is running for a seat on the Board because of her love of the SDCE community and her desire to see it continue to be the preferred choice of home for all owners regardless of their interests. She believes in fairness, as well as ensuring that the Board is run on sound financial principles and within a balanced budget. Although relatively new to SDCE, Lisa and Larry view this as their forever home and want to ensure that the community continues to prosper into the future. Whether you love Golf, Riding, Pickleball, Tennis, Swimming, RVs, Vintage Cars, Wildlife, Gardening, etc., etc., this community is a fantastic place to enjoy your favorite activities. Let’s keep it that way!
Tim Buzbee
I am running for a position on the Board for one simple reason: my wife and I love this community. Based on my background, I feel I can make a positive contribution to the issues we are facing.
We raised three active children in San Diego Country Estates, and we took full advantage of the wonderful amenities that SDCE offers. From the golf course to equestrian centers, parks, pools, and trails. That is why we moved here more than 30 years ago, and that is why we stay.
One of the major reasons for the recent dues increase was the annual insurance costs of almost $1,000,000. I was part owner of an insurance agency that I managed for more than 30 years. My company handled all forms of insurance from healthcare to workers comp to commercial insurance. I know firsthand how to get the most bang for your buck when buying insurance. Now that I am happily retired, I will use that expertise to strategically manage the insurance costs and keep dues increases under control.
I am also concerned with the decline in the maintenance of some properties in our community. This impacts everyone’s property values and their quality of life. As my three children now have families of their own, I know how hard it is to meet the financial challenges facing young people these days. I would like to put a plan in place to work with struggling members to bring their property into compliance without dealing with an overwhelming financial burden.
I believe I represent the voice of the majority of the membership: those that are not currently active in community leadership but need a voice to speak to our shared issues. I look forward to being your voice on the Board.
Richard Drewery
First and foremost, I’m looking out for our community as a whole, and have been for some time now. Whether or not I’m posting on Next Door information for the community about what is happening, or information to help them make decisions, my main concern is for them. I’ve lived here for 10 years now and love it here.
The former HOA President made the statement, “you knew the Fire Risks when you moved out here”, that concerned me. I contacted Cal Fire and with their permission and slides I made a power point presentation at an HOA Board meeting, it was ignored.
I contacted Supervisor Joel Anderson, and the very next day they turned me over to the head of San Diego County Fire Services, David Sibets. I worked with him for over two months documenting the Wildfire conditions present in SDCE’s. I believe what came out of this is the HOA was served a 30-day notice. I also worked with a Cal Fire Inspector, and he served notice as well to the HOA.
I was instrumental in getting the Curves between WCC and the entrance fixed to eliminate fatalities there by Contacting Supervisor Joel Anderson with a solution.
I was asked to prepare a 3-year schedule and estimate for Fuel Reduction and present it to the Budget Committee, after I showed it to the Fire Committee which came out of my efforts to bring attention to our wildfire situation, with help from Jackie. I walked or drove and used Google Earth to document everything that was either invasive or dead, as well as how many linear feet of canopy lifting to 6’ off the ground. It wasn’t approved, although they did increase the tree maintenance budget.
I feel I can add knowledge and experience to the BOD’s.
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Richard Drewery
Carl Highley
My name is Carl Highley, please accept this letter as my letter of nomination and I
would like my name listed on the Association's official ballot for one of the three current open Board positions.
Per the letter sent to all residents in SDCE, I meet the requirements as outlined in the nomination procedures:
“Candidates for the Board must be Members at the time of their nomination and (i) must meet any other qualifications or restrictions set forth in the Election Rules and (ii) must meet any other qualifications or restrictions set forth in the Bylaws so long as they do not conflict with these Election Rules.“
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to the placement of my name on the ballot for the Board Election in April 2025.
Deanna Markle
Education is my passion. Whether that is teaching youth through my work in financial literacy, advocacy for the importance of the system or learning a new skill, educating ourselves is what keeps us youthful and engaged. While serving on the school board for Cajon Valley I was given the opportunity to secure my Masters in Governance through CSBA and take away a wealth of knowledge on the processes of boards. Through this service and more, the skills I have learned are invaluable and have taught me humility, compassion and the ability to negotiate fairly and equitably. By volunteering for this board position, I will continue this passion and bring integrity, respect and a balanced perspective to the position. I come with no agenda, just wanting to help bring our community together and keep it thriving.
John Massery
I was raised in San Diego and moved to Massachusetts in 1982. Married my wife (Toni) in 1989 and raised our daughter (Sara) there. After retiring we decided to move to San Diego to be closer to my immediate family. Since moving into the San Diego Country Estates 3 years ago, I have attended many HOA meetings. I quickly realized the importance of being present and getting involved, which I believe is a responsibility of every member. Being retired allows me the time to commit to the HOA and put forth 100% effort. My experience will assist me in contributing to furthering the beauty of the Estates and help me make decisions for the good of all of the community. Having been self-employed almost all my life has given me invaluable experience that will, I believe, be an asset to the current and future board to help achieve the bright future we all want. My wife and I are members of the golf community, and even though we started playing a couple years ago, we do enjoy it. One goal I will strive for is to try and help bring the equestrian centers to industry standards, while utilizing all the amenities SDCE has to offer for everyone, including teenagers and children.
Melanie Perry
SDCEA Board of Directors 2025 Candidate Statement
As a resident of the San Diego Country Estates since 2013, I care deeply about the future of our neighborhood. I am running for the SDCEA Board of Directors to help preserve what makes our community special while supporting improvements that benefit us all.
My background in public safety and community outreach has equipped me with skills to serve and support communities effectively. From crisis response to collaborating with local agencies, I have gained valuable experience working with community members, communicating clearly, and addressing issues that matter most. I am committed to open communication, effective problem-solving, and transparency to ensure the Board’s decisions truly reflect the best interests of our neighborhood.
If elected, my priorities will be to:
• Strengthen communication between the Board and residents by creating more opportunities for input and feedback.
• Promote transparency in decision-making.
• Preserve and enhance amenities to maintain the unique character of our neighborhood.
I am reliable, approachable, and dedicated to representing our community fairly. As someone raising a family here, I understand the importance of keeping our neighborhood safe, welcoming, and a place we can all take pride in.
I look forward to working with my neighbors to ensure the Estates remains a wonderful place to call home. I welcome your thoughts and ideas because the best solutions come from working together.
Thank you for considering my candidacy for the SDCEA Board of Directors.
Roger Rajcic
My family has lived in the SDCEA since the late 90's.
When, I first moved here there were a few employee business cards on the counter in the office, now there are 16! Over time dues have vastly exceed inflation without any growth in amenities or services. Today, yearly HOA -Dues (Taxes) are $2100.00. That is $7,247,100 of revenue which is ample to staff and maintain facilities, while making Home owner’s use of facilities inexpensive. Boards over time have deferred there governance to committees and consultants. These committees and consultants do not keep our entire community in mind when advising the Board. The expanding bureaucracy created over time needs to end as well as the selective enforcement of rules.
Our community was founded to be an affordable active community. A great place to raise a family or retire. (NOT A RESORT)
Education: BS- Business & Information Systems- Cal State University
Experience: Owner / operator Retail Piano Stores, Real Estate Broker, General Contractor and 20 years board member Ramona Parks and Recreation. Presently -Foreman/leadsman’s Field Supervisor SWPPP Emergency Construction Services.
Let’s get back to our roots MAINTAIN FACILITIES and KEEP DUES LOW for our home owners.
Regards, Roger Rajcic
Jodie Taylor
In the summer of 2020, my husband Bryan, our two wonderful children, and I settled in the San Diego Country Estates as we prepared for Bryan’s retirement from the US Navy after 21 years. After many years of moving across the U.S. and abroad, we were drawn to this vibrant and friendly community as the ideal place to create our forever home and raise our children.
Originally from London, England, I began my career in construction recruitment twenty years ago and now operate my own recruitment firm specializing in construction and engineering. Additionally, I work as the Director of Business Development for a Geotechnical Engineering firm in San Diego where we specialize in geotechnical investigations, geology and hydrogeology.
I am passionate about contributing my business expertise and championing a “community first” mindset on the Association board of directors. I believe a connected community fosters a thriving environment for all members of our association. My top priority is to enhance engagement across all amenities, interest groups, and youth activities. I am particularly excited to collaborate with parents in fostering safe, respectful spaces for our children to have fun and grow.
Many of you may know me from Trivia Nights at the Oaks Grille on Tuesdays, or my fundraising efforts and events for local families, veterans and first responders and other community groups. If elected, I will work to increase community events, improve communication between the board and homeowners, and ensure every voice is heard. Together, we can create greater unity and joy across all aspects of our community, from Equestrian and Golf to Recreation and family activities.
Candidate Information Overview
The candidates are presented in alphabetical order.
All candidate information was provided by the individual candidates and has only been modified to remove personal details.
