By Greg Ellison

Staff Writer

(Aug. 15, 2019) Preferring to focus on contributions from others while reviewing the recent financial improvements in Ocean Pines, General Manager John Viola issued his annual report to homeowners Saturday and stressed that the efforts of staff and volunteers were major contributors to the current positive trend.

“It’s not a one-man show and we have a very good team,” he said.

Viola, who became interim general manager in March before signing an extension in June for the remainder of 2019, previously served as chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee and is currently association treasurer.

Taking the reins with a nuanced knowledge base from working on subcommittees, Viola said one insight was immediately glaring after becoming general manager.

“The biggest thing I saw … and what I really believed that we needed to do as an association, was to empower our team [and] empower individuals,” he said. “We have a lot on our plate and that’s fine … [but] the only way to get it done is by utilizing the team.”

Looking to reverse the scales after suffering significant financial losses in 2017 and 2018, Viola’s initial move as general manager was to form workgroups that paired elected officials with staff and association members to examine dredging and drainage, building construction, a new compensation study and contracts for food and beverage.

“I’m very lucky to have many experts in different fields [including construction, finance, compensation and HR] that I’ve reached out to and [the experts] have come in and assisted on workgroups,” he said.

Viola also noted past board members, such as Tom Terry, Marty Clarke and Jeff Knepper, have been instrumental in the turnaround.

“Utilizing those teams, that expertise, is definitely helping us,” he said.

Viola said the unified approach would help strengthen relationships with officials at both the state and county level, as well as bolstering customer service for residents.

“This team, now, is results-oriented,” he said. “Look at what they’re doing – all the initiatives. It’s a total team effort.”

Among his first chief decisions, Viola noted the hiring of Josh Davis to fill the revamped marketing and public relations director position.

“He’s definitely my best hire,” he said.

Viola also credited the promotion of former Aquatics Director Colby Phillips to fill the newly created position of operations director for bringing a markedly improved responsiveness to calls from residents.

“Colby and her team – as well as every other department – I believe is addressing it, and I believe the [unanswered] calls are getting less and less,” he said.

Viola also reviewed numerous improvement projects underway, including construction of a new golf clubhouse and cart barn, police station renovations and a new craft club building.

Looking forward, Viola assured Association members the upcoming fiscal-year budget process would remain open throughout.

“January won’t be the first time the board or anybody sees anything about a budget,” he said. “You’ll see pieces in September or October … already, we’re putting together the work pieces so that the main items can be addressed, and we can start looking at it.”

The intent is to assure all association members are fully apprised of all pending financial moves.

“We want to be transparent [and] timely,” he said. “Nobody’s hiding anything.”