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May 2017 September 2017 5
New Managers Bring Diverse Experience , Skills to KICA
KICA hired two new managers this spring . Both and are enjoying delving into their first community association jobs while working to understand the “ Maze of K ’ s .”
Mark Ruppel - Assistant Security Director
When Security Director Tony Elder joined KICA a year ago , he quickly realized that he needed someone with experience in emergency management . Mark Ruppel had worked for him in Charleston for years and Tony knew that Mark could bring the needed background and skills to Kiawah .
Mark ’ s varied career has spanned three decades , in emergency medicine ( EMS ), hospital development and marketing , catastrophic planning , public information , and , most recently , crisis communications . His EMS background is the common thread through all the positions , which he says are all similar in that they are about management and relationship building .
Mark grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Bethany College in West Virginia , returning to Pittsburgh for his first postcollege job . He was working as a paramedic and doing organ transplant in the early 1990 ’ s when a position became available in Charleston . “ The schedule and the beach looked a lot better than the snow in Pittsburgh ,” he said . A quarter century later , he is firmly a Charlestonian .
Mark was working for Tony when Tony came to Kiawah . “ I was devastated that he was leaving the city ,” Mark commented .
The admiration is mutual . Tony said , “ Having known Mark and having the pleasure of working with him for many years , I am pleased to have him join our KICA Security Team . His experience , professionalism , and excellent leadership skills have already proved invaluable in the short time he has been a member of our team . I look forward to Mark ’ s continued contributions to our KICA team and to those we serve ."
With KICA , Mark ’ s work will include pre-planning for emergencies , working with the relevant people and groups on Kiawah and nearby sea islands . Much of his time will be working with the town , and a couple of months into his tenure he is still learning who does what . He wants to get to know the membership and is eager to pitch in and help and provide excellent service .
Mark is married with two children ages 8 and 10 . When he met his wife , they were both working in the same Charleston hospital but did not know each other . A neighbor set them up on a blind date . Most of his free time he spends with his family . “ We go biking or fishing , and one of my kids is on a swim team ; that ’ s a big time commitment ,” he said .
* Article contributed by Digest Feature Reporter Sue Schaffer
Sarah Bond - Director of Human Resources
Sarah Bond joined KICA in March , after Maggie Hawkins retired . A 2010 graduate of Clemson University with a BA in Business Administration , Sarah had expected to specialize in finance or accounting , but found herself drawn to the “ people aspect of business ,” she said .
She worked for the last several years for Amazon in North Charleston , serving as site leader in human resources with responsibility for over 200 employees . However , her unit was moving to Columbia , and recently married , she chose to remain in the Charleston area . KICA is the beneficiary . “ Sarah has made a smooth transition from Amazon to KICA ,” said her supervisor , Jane Ovenden , Director of Finance and Administration . “ She brings valuable experience along with a quiet manner and a customer-focused attitude - an all around great addition to the KICA team .”
Asked about the difference between her work in a large corporate environment and a small community association , Sarah said that with KICA , she is more broadly involved in the business of the association than at Amazon , but , “ The core values of HR are the same wherever you are . I have a strong bias for customer service , and my customers are the KICA employees . It ’ s my job to be sure they can be successful , whether hourly employees or top managers .” She is looking forward to interacting with homeowners as well , and learning how she fits into the Kiawah jigsaw puzzle .
Sarah has found that she misses the networking opportunities ; at Amazon , where she could easily connect with every HR manager in corporate North America . Knowing the value of networking , she will seek connections with other Kiawah entities ( resort , town , developer ) and through the national community association structure .
Sarah ’ s goals for KICA include simplifying the recruiting and application process for new employees , and making better use of electronic capabilities , including accepting applications electronically rather than manually and circulating them electronically . She is also looking at the orientation processes , and has asked herself , “ What do I wish I had known in my first week on the job ?” She wants to implement more features of a new software system , standardize safety training , strengthen and promote a wellness program , and enhance training for new managers . “ We often promote from within , and I want to set new managers up for success .”
Sarah and her husband , an Amazon employee in self publishing and a friend since high school , recently bought a house and are renovating it themselves . The house is on a pond , and she loves fishing and boating , but her special love is her dog Penny .