Board members installed; service awards given at MVF Annual Meeting

The Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) Board of Directors held its annual meeting on Thursday, March 26 at North Creek Community Center. During the meeting, newly reelected members to the board, incumbents Dan Anderson, Brandon Coffee-Borden and Jack Guiragossian were installed for their 2026 to 2029 term, following the March 14 ballot counting. Watkins Mill High School junior Saba Berhe was also installed as the 2026 MVF Student Representative to the Board.

Board President Doniele Ayres opened the meeting by reporting that 2025 was another year of growth and transformation, driven by new projects, programs and initiatives that delivered exciting milestones, focusing on MVF’s mission: (1) Provide a wide variety of community and recreation services; (2) Maintain and improve facilities; and (3) Enhance programs and policies,  all to meet the changing needs and desires of our residents and community. It was a year marked by progress, which strengthened sustainability, security and community spirit. She added that she was delighted to report that MVF maintains an excellent financial standing with healthy reserves to meet future needs. 

Ayres continued by highlighting the major renovation of Stedwick Pool and Bathhouse that began in October with demolition of the old pool structure. The concrete for the new pool has been poured, the bathhouse floor and walls are in, and the modifications to the center upstairs are well underway, and staff anticipates a reopening in summer 2026.

Ayres also highlighted other renovations and replacements in 2025, including the following: filters were replaced at Whetstone and Hurley Park pools with new more sustainable and efficient crushed glass filter media models; Hurley Park Pool received upgraded pumps and an automated water level control system; Whetstone Community Center and Pool received fresh paint and a new epoxy bathhouse floor, as well as parking lot repairs and a retaining wall replacement with more durable stone pavers; the asphalt paths at Lake Marion and Lake Whetstone were repaired,  Kaufmann Park received a new guardrail to improve safety along the walking path and lot; The Heights Recreation Area tennis courts were repaved, resurfaced and repainted for smoother play, and new fencing was added; and new security cameras were installed at North Creek and Whetstone community centers. MVF also installed keyless entry access control systems at North Creek, Whetstone and Lake Marion community centers, replacing traditional key access. This system provides improved security and accountability, easier access for facility users, and risk mitigation.

Ayres also discussed a brand-new amenity in 2025, the Apple Ridge Multigolf Course. This 9-hole course begins at the MVF Office and ends at the Apple Ridge Recreation Area, offering residents a chance to enjoy nature, stay active, and engage in friendly competition. The course offers both disc and foot golf and is free to the public of all ages. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/multigolfcourse.

Beyond facilities, Ayres shared that 2025 was about people, programs and celebrations that strengthened the Village spirit:

• MVF approved a Community Statement, at www.montgomeryvillage.com/about-mv, affirming MVF’s commitment to inclusivity and respect across the Village.
• To boost engagement, MVF launched the “Join the Conversation” promotional video, featured on the MVF website and the MVF YouTube channel. Highlighting diverse amenities and Village life, the video encourages residents to get involved: www.montgomeryvillage.com/about-mv/join-the-conversation
• MVF reestablished a one-way SMS Text Alert System to provide residents with quick, reliable updates regarding community-wide special events, weather delays and closures, community surveys, notice of important meetings and emergency text alerts specific to Montgomery Village residents.
• In addition to annual favorite special events, MVF staff began preparations for the celebration of our MV 60^th Anniversary which is this year. In November, a celebratory logo was unveiled, along with plans for the Passport Journey that residents can participate in all year long. Learn more: www.montgomeryvillage.com/events/mv-60th-anniversary
• And MVF staff and the Board of Directors were once again so appreciative of the more than 150 Village residents who volunteered their time, attention and expertise to serve on committees, boards and other volunteer capacities throughout the year, including the reestablished Transportation, Development and Public Facilities (TD&PF) Committee.

Ayres added that 2025 marked important staff changes. Christopher Hitchens retired after 13 years of service, and Adam Polsky was hired as General Counsel. Karen Kodjanian was promoted to Assistant Executive Vice President. In addition, MVF transitioned to a new landscape contractor, Shorb Landscaping, to elevate the level of groundskeeping service we expect as a community.

Moving on to other updates in our community, Ayres noted:

• The County Council voted to remove the M-83 Highway from its Master Plan of Highways and Transitways.
• Montgomery County DOT began work to enhance pedestrian safety and intersection improvements on Montgomery Village Avenue and will begin paving the entire road in April.
• Residential development in both Bloom Village and at the Village Center is on schedule to be completed in the near term, signifying the current total build-out of the Village.
• Councilmember Dawn Luedtke hosted an important Community Safety Meeting with residents, the 6^th District Police and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services.

Ayres also noted that partnerships with our schools and support of the Village youth population have always been important. She added that the board continues to keep integrally involved with our two Village high schools through the MVF Scholarship and Student Representative programs. In 2025, MVF scholarships were granted to three outstanding Village seniors from both Watkins Mill and Gaithersburg high schools. And, as 2025 Student Representative Hillary Juarez-Mendez completed her term in December. The MVF board and staff are grateful for her dedication, eagerness and the great projects she completed for the staff during her summer internship.

In closing, Ayres assured residents that the MVF board continues to serve all residents of Montgomery Village and is committed to investing in our community and refresh our programs, parks and assets. We will continue to look for new ways to reach out and meet the needs and desires of the next generations of residents in our community.

Chief Financial Officer Daniel Salazar reviewed the 2025 financials, following an unmodified opinion given in the 2025 MVF Audit by the audit firm Lydon Fetterolf Corydon. Salazar noted that in addition to the unmodified opinion, the auditors gave favorable review of MVF’s internal control procedures and found no difficulties or material weaknesses.

Salazar reported MVF’s Net Income was $2,465,801 compared to a budget of $596,774. He noted the main drivers as Revenue favorable to the budget by $1.5 million and lower-than expected Personnel Costs ($79,000) and Operating Costs ($360,000).

Revenue was reported at $12,135,416 compared to a budget of $10,625,720 due to significant increases in Investment Income and Grant Revenues, and Camps and Classes, Pool Memberships and Facility Rentals, and Other Revenues due to a Pepco rebate for the South Valley Park LED lighting project.

Salazar said expenses were all favorable to the budget totaling $9,668,850 versus a budget of $10,028,946. He said almost all categories performed better than the budget, noting Business Expenses exceeded the budget due to increased costs for additional subcontractors and higher performance/admissions expenses, which were directly tied to increased revenues from additional camps and classes. Utility costs exceeded the budget due to higher water and electricity usage. Although solar savings were budgeted for the last quarter of 2025, the solar panel systems did not become fully operational until late in the year. Equipment Maintenance was lower primarily attributed to fewer purchases of expendable/small equipment. In addition, landscaping, repair and maintenance of buildings, tree/shrub replacements, and signs were favorable to the budget. Personnel costs were lower than budget due to vacant positions, savings from salary differences from replacement of staff, and reduced temporary labor costs.

Senior Accountant Mirna Rivas reported $1,803,477 was contributed to the Reserve Fund in 2025, as prescribed by the budget. She added that $2,266,232 was invested in MVF assets. The major asset additions in 2025 were the Stedwick Pool Renovation, the Solar Panel Project and The Heights Tennis Court Renovation. Rivas noted the Reserve Investment portfolio increased $1,136,165 from the previous year. She said overall performance was 13.53% compared to a benchmark of 15.76%.

The Balance Sheet showed MVF’s continued strong financial position, with MVF holding $32,264,292  in total assets. Total Liabilities were reported at $1,894,707. Salazar reported on MVF’s Current Ratio (assets over liabilities) as 2.95 versus a benchmark of 2.5 (more than 2.5 is considered excellent), and the General Administrative Cost Ratio as 12.4%, also in the acceptable range versus the benchmark (20% to 11% is considered good).

During the meeting, the board also honored several community members, organizations and staff members for their volunteer efforts, service to the community or years of dedicated employment.

Awards were presented to:

Community Service Awards

• Daniel Szwerc for having made valuable contributions to the Montgomery Village community through production of the “Join the Conversation” video, capturing the uniqueness and essence of Montgomery Village, and inviting all residents to participate in and be proud of their hometown
• Quintin Cosby and Brice Jackson for having made valuable contributions to the Montgomery Village community through their dedication to Village youth as caretakers of the MVSA Chiefs Football program, developing athletes and young people, and providing a constructive outlet for Village youth to prosper
• Princess Asare for having made valuable contributions to the community of Montgomery Village community through more than 1,100 hours of community service, bringing her joy and kindness to those she meets, and sharing a passion for always helping others

Staff Service Awards

• Amy Potocko, Assistant Director of Recreation and Parks – 10 years
• Dana Workman, Assessment/Collections Manager – 20 years

Employee Recognition Awards

• Paul Abel, Architectural Design Consultant
• Cicely Buckingham-Sharpe, Registration and Programming Assistant
• Kris Campbell, Registration Manager
• Erica Choucroun, Executive Assistant
• Lauren Hydorn, Aquatics Manager
• Duncan Mullis, Director of Recreation and Parks
• Nehemias Portillo, Facility and Parks Maintenance Worker
• Maria Pullifrone, Senior Graphic Designer