General Manager Transition FAQ

The current status of the GM transition and hiring process will be updated here as new information becomes available. Please check back for updates.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE GM SEARCH:

Now Hiring Tahoe Donner GM
Job description

To apply, please see Procedure for Candidacy section of job description. Applications taken until March 13, 2020.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Updated November 7, 2019

WHY IS THE GENERAL MANAGER LEAVING?
By law, we can’t discuss specific personnel matters. The General Manager, Robb Etnyre, has a right to privacy. We appreciate Robb’s efforts over the last decade and wish him the best in his next endeavor.

IS ROBB LEAVING IMMEDIATELY?
No. Robb’s last day will be Friday, December 6, 2019.

WHO WILL BE RUNNING TAHOE DONNER?
Robb will be working with staff and the Board in order to create a smooth and orderly transition over the month of November. Until a new GM is selected, day-to-day operations continue in the same capable hands of the senior team that has reported to the General Manager. Oversight and strategic direction will continue, as always, to come from the Board.

WHO WILL THE MANAGEMENT TEAM REPORT TO?
The most senior team – Mike Salmon, Director of Finance and Accounting; Annie Rosenfeld, Director of Risk Management and Real Property; and Miguel Sloane, Director of Operations –  will act collectively as “the Senior Transition Team” while a search for a new General Manager is underway. These individuals have worked well as a team, and we are confident the team approach will serve employees and the membership well during the transition period.

HOW WAS THIS REPORTING RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPED?
Planning for the transition has been a deliberate and cooperative process between the Board, the General Manager and the Senior Transition Team. We are all are committed to stability in operations and continuing services to members.

WILL THE BOARD GET INVOLVED IN DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS?
No, the Board provides oversight. The President remains the liaison between the Senior Transition Team and the Board.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
Representatives of the Board will be meeting with staff and volunteer leaders from the membership. The Board may engage a consultant to assist with determining the criteria and selection process for a new General Manager.  Setting search criteria will have membership involvement.

WILL CURRENT STAFF BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE GENERAL MANAGER POSITION?
Absolutely.

HOW WILL A NEW GENERAL MANAGER BE CHOSEN?
The Board is charged with that decision.  The Board may hire an appropriate professional recruiter to ensure we have a pool of well-qualified applicants.  This process will also have membership involvement.

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS / INPUT / CONCERNS?
You can email the Board at MemberLetters@TahoeDonner.com. While the Board will not be able to respond to each email individually, the Board will respond collectively to the membership and employees to ensure everyone receives consistent, timely information.

HOW WILL YOU KEEP ME INFORMED?
The Board will work with the Tahoe Donner Communications team to establish regular updates via email blasts as well as continually update these frequently asked questions as your feedback comes in. Please check back here for more information.

Updated November 12, 2019

DID ROBB RESIGN OR DID THE BOARD TERMINATE HIM?
By law, we can’t discuss specific personnel matters, and Robb has a right to privacy. What we can say is that the process has been highly collaborative, and the Board and General Manager mutually agreed on the December 6, 2019 departure date.

WHAT IS THE HIRING PROCESS FOR THE GENERAL MANAGER POSITION, AND WHO WILL BE MAKING THE FINAL SELECTION?
The final selection is the responsibility of the member-elected Board – the Board itself being composed of members. This will be an open process. Member input is vital. We will be hiring a professional recruiter (we already have several recruiter recommendations from members). Members’ input is a vital part of the recruitment and selection process.

We are modeling the process after other open processes such as the recent hiring of a City Manager for Aspen, Colorado. Watch for email blasts with updates and invitations for input. Send your questions and comments to MemberLetters@TahoeDonner.com.

Added November 15,2019

WHY NOT SKIP THE SEARCH AND HIRE (insert name of your favorite TD senior manager here)?
Any Tahoe Donner employee who meets the requirements may apply. Letters have been received in support of each of the senior management team, with kudos their respective skills and accomplishments. An external search helps ensure that (i) we have explored all opportunities to find the very best, (ii) employees who may apply are fully vetted and (iii) we have gauged the market for a fully informed decision.

I HAVE EXPERIENCE IN EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT – HOW CAN I OFFER MY SERVICES?
The initial focus has been on member and employee communications. As of this update, we are turning to the search and selection process.  Please send your contact information to memberletters@tahoedonner.com and watch for specific opportunities to participate as the process develops.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE ON THE SEARCH/SELECTION COMMITTEE – HOW TO I SUBMIT MY NAME?
Defining the search and selection process is underway. As the process develops, we will make specific requests for participation and input. So we can stay focused and organized, submit your interest to specific invitations as they come out.

WHY NOT OUTSOURCE TO A PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY?
As one of the largest HOAs in the country, with 6,473 Properties, a $28 million budget inclusive of operations and reserves, $64 million in total assets, 84% Second homeowners, 7,300 acres of land with 4,000 acres of open space to manage for fire safety, our needs do not fit the profile of an HOA management company client. The General Manager search focuses on skills and experience to professionally manage to our needs.

Added November 27, 2019

WHO WAS HIRED FOR THE GM SEARCH
The board received proposals from seven executive recruiting firms via RFP process. It conducted interviews with the search firms. Five Tahoe Donner members, in addition to the board, were active in reviewing and giving input on recruiter proposals.

The board has selected Wilcox Miller & Nelson (WMN). They have successfully recruited executive leaders for the City of Sacramento, Lake Wildwood Association, Chevron, California Children’s Hospital Association and dozens of others, including Tahoe Donner in 2009.

Added February 24, 2020

NOW THAT SOME TIME HAS PASSED, CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE REASONS THE BOARD HAD TO PART WAYS WITH GENERAL MANAGER ROBB ETNYRE
The board undertook a review of Robb’s performance, the performance of the staff he oversaw, and the challenges facing the organization. Each board member has their own personal opinions; however, it was the vote of the board to terminate Robb’s employment without cause.

CAN YOU GIVE US MORE DETAIL ON THE TERMS OF THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT THE ASSOCIATION HAD WITH ROBB?
The employment contract negotiated between TDA and Robb provided for his salary and benefits, as well as what happens when his employment ends and for what reasons. The contract provided that Robb could be fired “for cause” only if he was convicted of a felony, or his conduct involved fraudulent, dishonest or immoral acts against TDA or any of its employees, or gross negligence in fulfilling his duties. The contract further provided that, if TDA decided to terminate Robb’s employment for any other reason (or no reason at all), Robb was entitled to receive a severance payment equal to one year’s base salary as long as he signed a release of all claims against the association.

CAN YOU TELL US NOW WHETHER ROBB WAS TERMINATED OR QUIT?
We respect Robb’s privacy, as we do with all our employees. We can say that the board decided to terminate Robb’s employment without cause.