The Results Are In: Meet Your Newly Elected Board Directors

By Lindsay Hogan, Director of Communication and Member Relations

Tahoe Donner is pleased to welcome Nicholas Rab to the Tahoe Donner Board of Directors and welcome back Don Koenes for another term of service. Together, they bring a strong commitment to Tahoe Donner’s future, a deep appreciation for the community and a shared focus on thoughtful decision-making, responsible planning and member value. 

As Tahoe Donner continues to balance long-range investments, amenity improvements, financial stewardship, forest health, member access and the evolving needs of a diverse membership, the board plays an important role in helping guide the association forward. This year’s election brings both a new viewpoint and continued experience to that work. 

Nicholas Rab: Bringing Fresh Perspective, Technology Insight and a Deep Love of Community

For Nicholas Rab, Tahoe Donner is more than a place to recreate. It is home. He and his wife, Meg, have been part of the Tahoe Donner community for 20 years and have lived here full-time for the past 15. They raised their son here, and he attended Truckee High School before heading to college. Over those years, Rab says Tahoe Donner has shaped his family in countless ways. 

That personal connection is what inspired him to serve. 

“Tahoe Donner has given my family so much over the years, and I wanted to give back by helping shape its future,” Rab shared. 

Professionally, Rab leads software engineering teams, an experience he believes will translate well to board service. His work has required leading large teams through complex, time-sensitive projects where execution, accountability and clear priorities matter. He hopes to bring that same discipline to Tahoe Donner’s approach to capital investment, financial stewardship and operations. 

Rab also brings a technology and data-driven perspective. He sees an opportunity for Tahoe Donner to use modern tools more effectively to improve efficiency, support staff and enhance the member experience. As a full-time resident, he also brings an everyday, all-season understanding of how Tahoe Donner amenities and services are used throughout the year. 

“What makes Tahoe Donner special is the combination of extraordinary natural surroundings and genuine community,” Rab said. “There aren’t many places where you can have world-class recreation right outside your door and still feel the warmth of a real, connected community. That balance is what I love most, and it’s what I most want to protect.” 

As he begins his first year on the board, Rab says he is looking forward to learning more about the full scope of association operations, including budgeting, reserve planning, long-range capital needs and the many moving parts that keep Tahoe Donner’s amenities running. He is especially interested in learning from staff, whose institutional knowledge and day-to-day expertise are essential to the association’s success, as well as his fellow board directors. 

Rab also recognizes that coming in with fresh eyes requires humility. 

“My goal in year one is to listen carefully, ask good questions and build the understanding I need to serve members well,” he said. 

Among the issues and opportunities he sees as most important are financial sustainability, long-range planning and the responsible use of technology and data. He believes these priorities can complement one another when approached thoughtfully, helping Tahoe Donner invest responsibly while maintaining affordability and improving the member experience. 

Rab’s approach to board service is grounded in listening, transparency and evidence-based decision-making. He believes members deserve to understand not only what the Board decides but why those decisions are made. He also emphasizes that his responsibility is to serve all members, full-time and part-time alike, and make decisions that support the community as a whole. 

When not serving on the board, members can find Rab enjoying Tahoe Donner’s trails and amenities. In the summer, he is often out on his bike. In the winter, he can be found on Nordic skis. He and his family also regularly enjoy Trout Creek Rec Center, the Beach Club Marina, Alder Creek Adventure Center and The Lodge Restaurant & Pub. Beyond Tahoe Donner, Rab enjoys travel and outdoor adventure, including surf trips, hiking, backpacking in the Eastern Sierra and hut trips. 

Above all, Rab says he is grateful for the trust members have placed in him and hopes members will stay connected. 

“The best decisions come from staying connected to the members we serve,” he said. “I intend to do exactly that throughout my time on the board.” 

Don Koenes: Continuing Service with Experience, Stewardship and a Members-First Focus

Incumbent Director Don Koenes returns to the board with eight years of Tahoe Donner board service and a continued focus on members, responsible planning and protecting what makes the community special. 

Koenes and his wife, Denise, have owned in Tahoe Donner since 2006. Their primary home is in Roseville, and over the years they have enjoyed Tahoe Donner with their children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. Like many members, their connection to the association is rooted in recreation, family time and a deep appreciation for the neighborhood. 

Koenes describes Tahoe Donner as both a homeowners association and a community of neighbors. That perspective shapes his approach to board service. 

“I treat Tahoe Donner with respect, care and attention,” Koenes shared. “I value and honor the relationship we have with each other as neighbors bonded in Tahoe Donner.” 

During his previous service on the board, Koenes has helped guide the association through major projects, evolving policies and long-range planning efforts. He points to significant accomplishments during that time, including the rebuilt Pavilion at The Lodge Restaurant & Pub, renovation of the Beach Club Marina deck, reconstruction of the Downhill Ski Lodge and modernization of financial policies to support responsible, stable management. 

Koenes says he is excited to continue building on that progress while keeping members at the center of future decisions. 

In addition to his Tahoe Donner board service, Koenes serves on the Board of Directors for the Community Associations Institute, Northern California. That role connects him with HOA managers and homeowner leaders throughout the state and helps him stay informed about best practices, shared experiences and legislative issues that may affect Tahoe Donner. 

Looking ahead, Koenes is focused on several key priorities: strengthening wildfire protection, land management and access to homeowners’ insurance; continuing to refine the amenity access system; developing a long-range community plan to guide future investment; implementing new financial policies for the benefit of members and the association; and maintaining strong relationships with the Town of Truckee and other agencies that support and affect Tahoe Donner. 

Koenes’ principles include putting members first, preserving Tahoe Donner’s character, maintaining fiscal responsibility, protecting the environment and ensuring member enjoyment. He believes rules should be practical, fairly enforced and respectful of both neighbors and the natural environment. He also believes Tahoe Donner’s single-family residential character, outdoor setting and balance of adventure and relaxation are important assets to preserve. 

His outlook on the future is both practical and optimistic. 

“The best way to predict the future is to create it,” Koenes said. 

Looking Ahead

With a combination of new perspective and continued experience, Rab and Koenes join the board at an important time for Tahoe Donner. From long-range community planning and financial stewardship to amenity access, wildfire protection, technology and member enjoyment, the work ahead will require thoughtful discussion, careful listening and a continued focus on what best serves the membership. 

Tahoe Donner congratulates Nicholas Rab and Don Koenes and thanks all members who participated in the election process. As the association looks to the future, member engagement will remain essential in shaping a strong, connected and sustainable Tahoe Donner community. 

Meet the 2026 Board

Benjamin Levine, President
Elected 2022
Current Term: 2025-2028

Denise Gauny, Vice President
Elected 2024
Current Term: 2024-2027

Nicholas Rab, Secretary
Elected 2026
Current Term: 2026-2029

Don Koenes, Treasurer
Elected 2018
Current Term: 2026-2029
 

Jay Wertheim, Vice Treasurer
Elected 2025
Current Term: 2025-2028