General Manager Comments from the June 10, 2024 Exchange Meeting

Good Morning,

Thank you all for being here, and hello to all of those who will watch this on the internet. Just a few things I wanted to say before we get rolling this afternoon…

First off, we have selected an Architect and Engineering firm to get started on the Mountain View Recreation Center, and the Performing Arts Center. The firm is triARC Architecture and Design, and they are located here in Phoenix. We will be working with them to get a contract in place and lay out an initial schedule to get this rolling over the summer. Our goal is to have something for the board and community to look at in the fall. This is the first step, in what we all know is a fairly lengthy process, but at least we are getting started.

Second, we continue to see an increase in people behaving badly, both in words and actions. I have mentioned this before, and now, like you see in many places, RCSC will have warning signs, stating: We do NOT tolerate verbal or physical abuse toward any member, guest, visitor, or employee. Violators may be asked to leave, face disciplinary action, or arrest.

Third, the new welcome desk at Fairway, temporary as it is, is up and running. It is located right in front of the main sliding doors. We plan to make a similar adjustment to the Marinette Center welcome desk too. And just as with our request for suggestions about what the Bell Indoor Spa area should be repurposed into, the same is true for repurposing the old welcome desk area at Fairway. Perhaps a coffee & juice bar with seating, a mingle venue…? Let us know what you think.

And lastly, I want to speak about communications. Communications is a hot topic here, as it should be. Over the last six months, we have rebuilt, expanded, and reorganized our entire communications staff, with the help of our HR Team, Mr. Non-Golf Mike Dirmyer, and Maureen Almazan our Clubs, Activities, and Communications Leader. We have…

• Carla Young – 25 years TV news editor and producer, with experience in writing, producing, filming, and editing video content, including for YouTube, with experience in using YouTube algorithms.
• Allen Kleinhans – Education in Computer Science, recording engineering, 40+ years AV design/install, live audio engineering, low voltage wiring, a tireless team member who has been helping us for many years.
• Doreen Rafferty – 40 years producing, staging, directing, and lighting for live shows, certificates: Color Analysis, Makeup Artistry, and Costume Design, Educator of the Year: Dance Musical Theater, education: Communication & Theater Arts, backup vocalist, video participant, collaborated on work for MTV, Board member for the Theater and Arts Commission, wrote for newspapers, and did voice-overs.
• Miguel Jackson – Working in television since 2007 (US and Canada), Many live sports productions (NHL, NFL, MLB, ASU), In-house Technical Director for the Arizona Cardinals, 7 years of sound production, set up with TAD Management’s Venue Production Package using 6 cameras and 3 video walls.
• Aaron DeVandry – experienced Director of Marketing, client and project management skills, communicates effectively with technical, executive and business audiences, web developer/designer, 20 years of experience planning, developing and implementing marketing campaigns, developed 600+ websites, email and social media marketing, online reputation management, SEO aka Search Engine Optimization.
• Maureen Edwards – singer/vocalist, writer, wrote articles for SunViews and the Sun City Update, experience with musical band with load-ins, set-ups/tear downs and sound checks, etc.
• And Joelyn Higgins, with her wealth of experience that she is sharing as she moves toward retirement this summer.

With this great group of talent, I am pleased to announce the new RCSC Media Studio, it is taking shape right here in the SunDial Rec Center, across the breezeway, where the old Mac Lab was, which has recently merged with the computer club at the Fairway Rec Center. This RCSC Media Studio will help us to communicate effectively with the residents of Sun City, and offer a variety of ways for residents to receive information. It is exciting to have the people in place, and a good place for the people to work, collaborate, and create. I will be sharing more details of what is planned in the near future.

Thank You.
Matthew D