Candidates for RCA Board of Directors

At the annual meeting on May 22nd, members will vote on candidates to fill five positions on the Board of Directors.  Neighbors listed below will be standing as candidates for three-year terms on the Board.  Please take a few moments to read statements of interest prepared by each.

 Gaby Gandal - Thornapple Street - I have been a resident of Rollingwood, residing at 3211 Thornapple Street, since 1965. During the 1970′s and early 1980′s – while our neighborhood school, Rollingwood Elementary, was still open – my community experiences consisted of membership in the PTA and then serving as president of the Rollingwood PTA. After the closure of Rollingwood Elementary, the community lacked a focal point and/or center. This is why the Rollingwood Citizens Association was formed in 1982.

I have served as a board member of the RCA ever since, and as president of the organization a number of times since then; and continually during the past 10 years - ending in 2010 when Fritz Hirst agreed to take over. He is doing a superb job, by the way.

Very recently, I have become a board member of Chevy Chase at Home, a private, non-profit community organization providing services, assistance and friendship for seniors who wish to “age in place,” and stay safe and independent in their own homes. This is a wonderful concept – neighbor helping neighbor.

My interest in and concern for our neighborhood has not lessened during these years. I would be pleased to serve another term as a board member of the RCA.

Mike Hottel - Thornapple Street – Lauren and I have been living in Rollingwood since June 2010.  We have two children, Ella (6) and Griffin (3).  I am a CPA and assurance partner in a local accounting firm.  We are very much interested in getting involved with the Rollingwood community and the RCA.  As a family, we very much enjoy everything the community has to offer, from the great parks (Candy Cane) to the annual RCA Halloween party.  I have also been very interested in many of the initiates the RCA is currently tracking and considering.  Specifically, I am very excited about the welcome signs project!  I am also very interested in the impact that the Chevy Chase Lake and Purple Line projects will have on our community.  Bottom line  - we are planning to live here for many years and I want to help the RCA to keep the community strong, safe and vibrant.

Florence Lourie - Rolling Road – I am a long time resident of Rollingwood, former teacher and public relations consultant.  My husband and I raised our family here, where our three children attended Montgomery County public schools.  As an active participant in community affairs, I have enjoyed learning about the County and have served on many committees and boards representing the Rollingwood community.  In the past, I served as president of the Rollingwood Citizens Association.  Most recently I am working on spreading the word about Chevy Chase At Home, a private, non-profit organization that provides a community network of services and assistance for older residents who want to age in place, and stay safe and independent, in their own homes.  The organization depends upon neighbors helping neighbors.

Ganon Rich - Lenhart Drive - My wife, Karin and I moved to Rollingwood in May 2008.  My wife was raised in Rollingwood and her parents, Tom and Pam Havell still live on Lynnhurst Street.  We both attended Westland Junior HS and Bethesda Chevy Chase HS and have three young children, Evan (7), Lauren (5) and Addison (2).  My wife is a stay at home mom and I’m a commercial real estate consultant in Washington, DC.  Given my deep roots in the area and community, I’m committed to maintaining all the attributes that lured us here originally.  I’ve recently taken on the responsibility of being the RCA representative overseeing the Chevy Chase Lake Redevelopment and Purple Line projects. I’ve joined the Connecticut Avenue Corridor Committee which has the combined speaking voice of each community being affected by these projects.  I am committed to the neighborhood, the RCA and the community it serves.