12
Year in Review - The Big Picture
Selecting a Leader
In late 2011, the KICA Board of Directors was faced with the challenge of hiring a new chief operating officer (COO) to lead the
community association. Interim COO Shannon White, the association’s director of operations, smoothly led KICA through the
6-month transition period during the first part of 2012, while the board conducted its search. To assure that quality candidates with
the experience to manage a $10 million budget and over 100 employees were reached, KICA interviewed 10 executive search firms.
The board ultimately selected and engaged the services of national recruiting firm Kopplin and Keubler. The board also formed an
Executive Search Committee (ESC) comprised of current and former board members and human resources professionals.
With the help of the ESC, Kopplin and Keubler interviewed past and current directors, as well as senior staff members, to create
a profile of the ideal COO. They then interviewed potential candidates to narrow the field and selected finalists for on-site
interviews. On May, 21, 2012, the KICA board and staff welcomed Jimmy Bailey as the association’s new chief operating officer.
Jimmy brings to Kiawah 14 years of experience in banking and community association management, along with a deep love for the
Lowcountry. As a lifetime Charlestonian, he is familiar with the history, culture and politics of the region. Amiable, gregarious and
diplomatic, he is a fast riser who was selected as one of the Charleston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in 2009. Jimmy joined
KICA from the Daniel Island Property Owners Association where he was the vice president of community services.
By the numbers
• 50 applications were reviewed, 13 candidates closely considered, six candidates selected for on-site interviews by the
executive search committee, two finalists interviewed by the board and senior staff, and one unanimous vote to hire Jimmy.
These were the major initiatives of the past year. Most are multi-year considerations that will retain the board’s focus for some time
to come. Many other significant projects were concluded during the year, with highlights to follow. For more information on the
association, visit www.kica.us.