John Viola leaving in Feb., assistant Michelle Bennett departing end of month

By Greg Ellison

(Dec. 9, 2021) Ocean Pines Association Senior Executive Assistant Michelle Bennett tendered her resignation on Friday following the retirement announcement by General Manager John Viola days earlier.

Last Wednesday, Association President Larry Perrone issued a statement after Viola opted to terminate his employment contract early.

“John decided to resign to begin his well-deserved retirement,” Perrone said.

Viola’s employment contract was slated to run through June 30, 2022.

Viola took the reins on an interim basis in March 2019 following the dismissal of former General Manager John Bailey.

After inking a six-month contract that June, in Dec. 2019 the board voted unanimously to extend the agreement for 30 additional months.

On Friday, Viola issued a statement after Bennett tendered her resignation effective as of Dec. 28.

“Michelle has been a trusted, highly valued member of Ocean Pines Association for almost 10 years and has provided the General Manager’s Office and the Board of Directors with excellent service,” he said.

Viola said Bennett elected to accept an employment opportunity that will allow her to use more of her accounting expertise than her current position demands.

“Michelle has been a great asset … and will be missed very much,” he said. “Please join me in wishing the very best to Michelle in her new career endeavor.”

For her part, Bennett said another employment option lured her away from the Pines.

“I am excited to join a local private family-owned business, where I will utilize my accounting experience fully,” she said. “I have enjoyed serving the Ocean Pines community for almost 10 years and will miss working with the team.”

In his statement last week, Perrone said Viola would officially step down on Feb. 28, while also noting the board would launch a search process for replacement candidates.

Following a closed session meeting on Friday morning at the Golf Clubhouse, this week the association posted a job opening online for a “city (general) manager” in Ocean Pines.

The job listing notes Ocean Pines is a “city governed by a Homeowners Association,” which includes roughly 12,000 full-time residents and 8,000 part-time residents.

“Due to the announced retirement of the current General Manager the Ocean Pines Association is searching for his replacement,” the posting states.

Listed qualifications include a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business, public administration or a related field, with a master’s degree preferred.

Additionally, no less than 10 years management background with municipalities or sizeable community associations.

“The ideal candidate will be an inspiring, service-minded leader with strong interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills,” the posting reads.

Required skills include familiarity with a “breadth of municipal functions” including but not limited to police and fire services, parks and recreation, human resources, marketing, public relations and information technology.

Ideal candidates should also exhibit a “track record of operational excellence in organizational and financial management, planning and public works.”

Benefits include health, dental and vision insurance, with paid time off and a 401(k) matching retirement account.

The posting says the salary is open for the full-time executive contract position.

Candidates should be experienced team leaders with “unquestioned integrity” that exercise stellar ethical standards, along with “The courage to do what is right, not necessarily what is expedient or popular,” the posting states. “As the public face of the community excellent political and constituent relationship skills are essential.”