On June 18, the Southern Walk Homeowners Association’s board of directors announced a second resident had been appointed to join the board. Anthony Gentry, a resident of Broadlands, Southern Walk’s parent community, since 2005, was appointed to the board at the June 14 meeting.
Gentry joins Ken Corson as the two homeowner representatives on the board. Corson was appointed to the board in April.
Both Gentry, acting chief of the National Security and Records Verification Law Division for the Office of the Chief Counsel of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Corson, president of Constellation Aviation Solution LLC, have backgrounds in information operations and implementing technology contracts.
"Southern Walk homeowners have two superbly qualified representatives in overseeing our telecommunications contract," Pat Leader, president of the board of directors, said. "Tony and Ken’s expertise and independence under scores the Southern Walk Homeowners Association’s commitment to ensuring that members of our community benefit from telecommunications services that remain on the cutting edge of price and performance."
In recent months there has been unrest among community residents regarding the exclusivity of community developer Van Metre’s contract with local telecommunication company OpenBand and the level of service they have been getting.
At the June 14 board meeting, Corson agreed to serve as the chairman of the Southern Walk technology committee, which was formed at the end of May. Plans are still underway for the committee’s structure and residents have not yet been chosen to serve on the committee.
While there are still issues between residents and Van Metre, Gentry’s appointment is a positive step for some Southern Walk residents.
"[Neighbors] have nothing but good things to say about Tony," Erika Hodell-Cotti said. "Many people involved in my grassroots group are truly excited to have Tony as part of the SWHOA."