Venetian eSplash 21 Aug 2019.v2 – Meet the Nominees, Voting Begins

Voting Begins Today – Meet The Nominees

The deadline for submitting your votes is Saturday, August 31.

You can download the election ballot form from the Voting Matters tab under the Members Only page (you have to be logged in), or you can download it here:  2019 VPCA Election Ballot 2019

Forms are also available at the Front Desk.  You can:

Nominee photos and bios are shown below and can also be downloaded here: 2019 Nominees

Online voting is open now and instructions can be found under the Voting Matters tab on the Members Only page or can be downloaded here:  2019 VPCA Voting Instructions

Meet the Nominees:

Lindsay DuVall

My husband Andy and I have been Oakhurst residents for over 10 years. We have 3 children – Claire (6th grade), James (3rd grade) and Thomas (1st grade). We all thoroughly enjoyed summer 2019- our first summer as Venetian members and third as members of the swim team. 
I work as the Director of Operations for a media communications firm helping non-profits create strategies and digital tools to increase fundraising efforts. I work from a home office with flexibility to also be involved in our schools, volunteering in many capacities, such as Read-a-thon co-chair, on the Safe Routes to School committee and fundraising event committees (Oakhurst Give-a-Hoot, FAVE Mardi Gras Ball). 
I have been an active volunteer for swim team at Venetian for 3 years – usually corralling kids in the bullpen – and look forward to continuing to support the wonderful Pool Sharks team in future seasons. We feel fortunate to be a part of this membership and I would be honored to serve on the Board of the Venetian to give my time and effort to help ensure it continues to be a special space and community.

Steven Gyorffy
My name is Steven Gyorffy. I am product manager for Oracle and have lived in Oakhurst since 1999. My wife, Jennifer, and two kids, Jack (12) and Eliza (10), have been members since 2017. Both kids are on the Venetian swim team.
We spend most weekends at the Venetian and frequently stay until closing.  We understand how many members love the pool not only for recreation but a sense of community as well. The many events make it a special place with many memories.
For the last two years, I have completed the 40-mile challenge and understand the importance of lap swimming at the pool. I hope to become a member of the board to contribute ideas for future improvements and continue keeping it a true oasis.

Becky McElroy

My husband Peter and I moved to Decatur in 2000 when we started our family. We have lived here since then except for a five-year stint in Tanzania. I work at the Emory School of Nursing and Peter at the Centers for Disease Control. Our daughters, Fiona and Madelyn, are both at Decatur High School. Since we became members of Venetian in 2012, we have enjoyed the pool in many ways.  My daughters Fiona and Madelyn are on the swim team, Peter and I have been very active volunteering for the swim team, and I am also a lap swimmer, even if I don’t ever seem to get to the 40-mile challenge.  As a family we enjoy having meals at the pool and cooling off in the beautiful pool. My main complaint is that summer is too short. 
I have had the opportunity to serve on the board since Nov. 2017 when I was appointed to take Carmen Villar’s place. She moved away from Georgia for work in the middle of her term. Initially I was serving on the board as the human resources rep and, as of last fall year, I have been the Swim Team and activities rep. 
I have learned a lot being on the board these past 1 + years ranging from the history of Venetian to what it takes to get a project done. While on the board, we have accomplished a number of goals, such as revitalizing the swim team and supporting the growth of the lap swim program.  I would like to continue my work on the board to strengthen the swim program for swimmers of all ages in addition to working with the Venetian community to making the pool the best place it can be.  

Deborah Mook
We have been Venetian members for 5 years and we’ve loved it.  Our three daughters, Ani (12), Julia (9) and Lucinda (9) are poolsharks, with me along with them in the bullpen most meets.  Our oldest daughter helped with coaching Starfish and signed up for her first 40 mile swim challenge this year, and my husband, John, is slated to finish his 4th40 mile challenge this week.  Swimming is such a critical life skill, and we’re genuinely grateful for the opportunities provided by this pool for our family to develop and hone these skills.  Venetian as a community is also a resource for relaxation, friends and family, and we frequently enjoy poolside dinners.  My professional life happens at Emory, working with people with different backgrounds and agendas to meet the university’s goals.   There I utilize a skillset of empathetic listening and consensus building, and my hope is that these might also be worthwhile skills to bring to the board.  I’d simply like to give back to this community!

Gabriel Ramirez
My wife Lisa, daughters Eva Sophia and Carmen Elena, and I have been members of Venetian Pool since 2007. Through the years we have enjoyed the many great things Venetian has to offer from swim team, summer camps, leisurely dinners outdoors, friends gathering, the 40-mile challenge, 4th of July, to watching neighborhood youth go from toddlers in the baby pool to the ones lifeguarding! 
What do I bring to the board at Venetian? Knowledge of finance and budgets – I have a Ph.D in Finance from GSU and am a professor at Kennesaw State University. Ability to lead and govern – I am an elder at North Decatur Presbyterian Church (NDPC) where I lead the Finance Committee, and serve on the boards of Georgia Network for Non-Violent Communication – Treasurer, Latin American Company, and Casa Materna Ana Sayre. Understand youth and community building – I was PTA president two years at Clairmont Elementary, School Leadership Team at both Clairmont and 4/5 Academy (pre FAVE), and a Youth Shephard at NDPC. 
Why do I want to serve on Venetian’s board? Venetian pool, as a non-profit, member-run organization goes beyond providing just a fun and safe place to swim. The culture here promotes our well being by giving it us opportunities to feel we belong to a community and to connect with one another. I want to preserve and grow this culture for future generations.

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