By Roger Ball

Independent Newsmedia

The special committee to lead the search for a new Recreation Centers of Sun City West general manager began its process. The committee’s first meeting Thursday, August 23. Mike Whiting, who has been RCSCW general manager for 15 years, announced his retirement, effective next February.

Jim Sloan, Governing Board president, appointed a committee of 10

Terry Hamman, search committee chairman

people, chaired by Terry Hamman, former RCSCWS president. Other committee members include current directors Tim Hurley and George Kuchtyak; former directors Kay Williams, Jack Steiner and Griff Williams; and community members Sue Fitzsimmons, Cindy Ferguson, Bill Burns and John Chattin.

Mr. Sloan, introduced each of the committee members at the Aug 23 meeting.

“This action will be the most important decision in years for this organization,” he said.

Katy O’Grady, RCSCW general services officer, briefed the committee on the key organizational aspects of the organization, and comparing Sun City West with other similar communities. She advised the committee that the general manager hires and manages the staff, but follows bylaws set by the board and community.

Mr. Whiting addressed the committee about what qualifications he believed the new executive director must have.

When Mr. Whiting was hired in 2004, he said they had gone through six general managers in three years, the board did not function well and employees were so upset with the leadership they formed a union.

“One of my hallmarks has been communication,” Mr. Whiting told the board, as he outlined how he began weekly reports from the general manager to the board,

Before coming to Sun City West, Mr. Whiting had 32 years working with the city of Phoenix parks, overseeing 75 parks, including the construction of Hance Park and the Steele Indian School Park.

The RCSCW board consists of nine members, and three of them change every year. The new general manager must have the experience in dealing with such organizations, according to Mr. Whiting.

Mr. Burns asked Mr. Whiting if the salary and benefits for the general manager position will competitive. Mr. Whiting said the organization does periodic salary reviews and currently all the salary ranges for RCSCW are competitive with similar organizations in the Southwest.

Mr. Hurley asked Mr. Whiting what he hoped someone could do better in the future.

The biggest challenges for the RCSCW, Mr. Whiting said, involve the community’s changing demographics. The organization now has 1,000 acres of grass for golf courses, he said, and the popularity of that sport is waning.

The dynamics of dealing with golf courses in 10 years will be a challenge, as well as space utilization for all the other requirements of the more than 100 clubs.

“The balancing of needs and facilities will be a real challenge in the future,” Mr. Whiting said.

The RCSCW administers more than $120 million in assets and has 500 employees.

Mr. Hamman pointed out there is a 30-year age difference between the Sun City West residents.

“We would not be as good we are without you,” Mr. Hamman said to Mr. Whiting.

The committee conducted a closed-door executive session. RCSCW officials did not disclose the topic of the executive session.

Earlier it was reported the committee would be using the services of an outside agency to help select candidates.

Mr. Sloan said he hopes to make an offer to the new general manager by Saturday, Dec 1, and that person can begin Friday Feb 1, 2019.

The next meeting will be 9 a.m., Thursday Aug 30, in the Acacia Room of the Palm Ridge Recreation Center. Some of the committee meetings will be in executive session to discuss personnel matters.

Roger Ball can be contacted at 623-876-2523 or rball@newszap.com.