President's Message: Looking ahead together

Hello! I’m Susan Prince, your new Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) Board President. In case you don’t already know me, I’m a Washington, DC native who grew up in Silver Spring and Rockville and moved to Montgomery Village 7 years ago this month. I’ve served on the MVF Board of Directors for two terms and can often be found running on our paths, playing on the pickleball courts, and connecting with my many fellow dog-loving neighbors. I am fortunate to have made wonderful friends since moving here and feel so connected to our community.

As you know, Montgomery Village celebrates its 60th Anniversary this year.

Over the decades, I’ve had a chance to witness many changes in and around the Village, from the early days when Montgomery Village was essentially farmland “way out in Gaithersburg,” to our vibrant community of 40,000 residents who are a strong beating heart in the center of Montgomery County.

That is a lot of change.

And more change is coming with the redevelopment of the Lakeforest Mall site and the surrounding areas.

Growth can sometimes feel like a threat to tradition, but the values we were founded on will help us weather these changes and ensure community life remains strong. The MVF Board is deeply committed to ensuring these proposed changes will bring a net positive benefit to the Village. Over the past several years, we have welcomed dozens of new families who bring with them fresh energy, new ideas and enthusiasm for our community. At the same time, MVF staff have worked diligently to modernize our facilities and infrastructure to support our quality of life while keeping our finances sound. We are investing thoughtfully in tomorrow without sacrificing the character that defines us today.

As we mark this remarkable milestone, it is worth pausing to reflect on what makes our community so extraordinary. I’m often astounded by the number of multi-generational families who have called Montgomery Village home. The playgrounds where our children play today are the same ones their parents rode their bikes on decades ago. The mature tree canopies lining our streets and picturesque parks gracing our neighborhoods have been carefully preserved and tended. Our community pools, the very heart of summer life here, have welcomed generation after generation of swimmers. These are not accidents. They are the result of the Kettler Brothers’ original vision, all those years ago, of what life could be in Montgomery Village, and residents since then who cared, volunteered, and passed along their commitment to those who came after them. What a legacy!

I encourage every resident to get involved, whether by joining a committee, attending a board meeting, participating in an MVF event, or simply introducing yourself to a neighbor you haven’t met yet. Every one of you has something to contribute, and every contribution makes us stronger.

As I look forward to the next chapter of Montgomery Village, I do so with confidence, gratitude and excitement. The foundation laid 60 years ago is solid. The community growing on this foundation is vibrant. And the future ahead of us is bright.

Thank you for being a part of everything that makes our Village extraordinary. It is my privilege and honor to serve as your Board President.