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2026 Candidates for the Board of Directors
Get to Know Our Candidates
Brad Dow
Hello neighbors,
Thank you to everyone who signed my petitions and encouraged me to run. Your support and confidence mean a lot to me, especially from long-time residents and former Board members.
To those who do not know me, I would like to share a bit about myself. I have been a resident of Hemlock Farms since 2019. Hemlock Farms is truly a great community that offers us all opportunities to be as active as we want. That and the proximity to my family in New York is what really sold me. And of course, I cannot forget the on-site Fire Department, EMS, and Paramedics, which gives a level of security no other community can offer.
I retired from the hospitality industry and now run a part-time consulting business, doing facility audits for hotels and resorts in the US and the Caribbean. Over the years, I’ve worked as an on-site construction representative for new hotels and resorts, and I’ve served as a Director of Engineering and Managing Director. I’ve managed many CIF projects and renovations. I’m a Certified Utility Manager through the National Rural Water Association. I also earned my firefighter certification from the New State Academy of Fire Science and volunteer with the Hemlock Farms Fire and Rescue Company.
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Let’s talk about the big question on everyone’s mind. When I told my friends I was thinking about running for the Board, they joked, “What, are you crazy!” But that’s exactly why I want to do it. I believe the Board needs a new tone and approach, and our neighbors should feel heard and represented. Serving the community—whether as a coach, library volunteer, committee member, or volunteering in some other manner is important to the success of any community. I hope to help Hemlock Farms succeed by using my experience in facilities, operations, utility management, and construction.
Trust and teamwork are essential for firefighters, and I believe those same values are just as important for any organization or Board to succeed.
I respectfully request your vote and am committed to prioritizing my neighbors' interests in all my actions.
Brad Dow
Jared Feldman
My name is Jared Feldman, and I am running for a seat on the Hemlock Farms Community Association Board of Directors. My family and I have lived in Livingston, New Jersey for over 25 years, and we became part time residents of Hemlock Farms in July 2024. Like many of you, we were drawn here by the natural beauty, our lakes and forests, and the rare combination of strong amenities with a quiet, four season lifestyle close enough to home but far enough to truly feel away. Hemlock Farms has quickly become our “perfect escape,” and I am committed to helping protect what we value while improving how we are governed.
Professionally, I bring more than two decades of leadership experience in large, complex organizations. I began my career at Verizon Communications as an internal IT management consultant, designing technology solutions to improve both associate and customer experience. Since then, I have held senior roles in retail technology for global luxury and prestige brands including Louis Vuitton, HUGO BOSS, and The Estée Lauder Companies. In parallel, I am an entrepreneur and owner of a successful home based travel agency. Across these roles, I have developed deep experience in budgeting, procurement, vendor management, cost optimization, and cost containment; skills that translate directly to responsible, value conscious stewardship of association resources.
To prepare specifically for board service, I recently completed the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Board Leader Certificate program, which is designed to give association board members a strong foundation in governance, fiduciary duties, financial oversight, and effective meetings and communication. That training reinforced my understanding of how our governing documents work together, what a board member’s legal and ethical responsibilities are, and how a board should function in partnership with management and homeowners. 
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Within Hemlock Farms, I currently serve on the HFCA Appeals Committee and the HFCA Ad Hoc IT Committee. That work has given me a practical understanding of our Codes, how enforcement decisions affect members, and where clearer communication and smarter use of technology can improve both fairness and efficiency. Beyond HFCA, I serve on travel agency advisory boards and have long participated in cross functional committees and steering groups, collaborating with diverse stakeholders and helping guide policy and financial decisions.
If elected, my priorities are to help re establish trust between the Board and the membership; strengthen transparency, fiscal responsibility, and oversight; and modernize how we communicate. I believe members should be able to easily see and understand how decisions are made, including exploring secure recording and streaming of Board meetings, and should feel comfortable approaching Board members with questions or concerns without fear or intimidation. My goal is a Board that is accessible, accountable, and focused on both preserving Hemlock’s character and managing its finances with the same care we bring to our own households.
Jared Feldman
Stephen Kalman
Hello, I’m Steve Kalman and I’m asking for your vote as I run for the Board.
My wife and I have lived in Hemlock since 1982. Over the 40+ years since then I’ve been chair of Public works, OPPI, and Finance. I also served on the board for 5 years starting in 1998. I’ve been on several Ad Hoc committees, currently Risk Management and Audit. Except for a few years just after I left the board when work kept me away more than half the weekends I’ve been volunteering in one way or another. All of this volunteer time has given me strong institutional knowledge. One of the benefits of that is the ability to answer a lot of “why, when and how” questions. Another is to know of past ideas that looked good but didn’t work out, and thus be able to avoid learning the same, often expensive, lesson another time.
Aside from HFCA duties, I’ve been on the Fire and Rescue company as a First Responder and I was Treasurer of the Hemlock Farms Conservancy. I’ve been a member of the country club for 10 years and served on its board for six of them. 
I am an attorney with significant experience in business management.
I believe in strong financial management and am pleased that our auditors use Hemlock as the model for their other HOA. I believe in listening respectfully to our members and expect the members to return the favor.I believe that the board has a responsibility to meet members’ needs. I believe that we all want what’s best for Hemlock, even when we disagree what “best” actually looks like. I believe that accountability goes two ways –management to board and board to members.
I promise to do my best for the benefit of all.
Stephen Kalman
Glenda Deutsch
A 14-year resident with my husband, Alex, and our two-family branches, the Cherokee/Christian and the Romanian Jewish/Holocaust surviving group. We're retired and love the natural settings and the peaceful silences surrounding us. We have a substantial investment in our home, and care about our community. I love gardening, common sense and wisdom.
I have degrees in Nursing, Carpentry, and Reflexology. A Registered Nurse for 51 years, I've worked many departments of healthcare involving adults and children throughout USA. A Campaign Manager running campaigns for people in National and State races and helped pass State Term Limits Legislation in Alaska. I was an Executive Director/non-profit, Manager/large dental practice, Served as Healthcare Liaison for the Governor of Alaska and was a Special Assistant in the Governor's International Trade Office. I helped Build a Complete House and with my husband have completed many Remodeling Projects. I was a Union Organizer of nurses and healthcare employees.
I was a Board Member for my condominium complex and a Member of the American Nurses Association Collective Bargaining Committee in Washington DC.
Life's decisions are based on timing; inasmuch, I can currently run for the Board, being a permanent resident and having more time to invest in this position. Zoom helps greatly. In the past, extensive travel and family obligations made it impossible to serve on committees or the Board.  
Our future is Optimistically bright, and the Diverse Population of our community is Growing. However, I do have some Concerns. One is regarding the increased Strife between the Board and Residents. We need improved Communication and Problem Solving. Strife is affecting the Sales of homes and Public Opinion outside our community. Also, I hear Larger Families and the Elderly on Fixed Incomes Aren't Affording the Increasing Dues. Families Leaving. Concerns are voiced about the recent Negative Changes in certain Bylaws, soon on our July Voters Ballot. I am a Fiscal Conservative regarding spending and dues increases. I think group oversight of projects and budgets, assessing and auditing, when necessary, of spending, day to day operations and management are critical to a healthy Association. One person Shouldn't have a blank check with association funds and shouldn't be given the power to oversee contracts and spending individually. Bill review/payments Should be a multi-department and board interaction. Unity, wisdom, integrity, cooperation, communication, flexibility, trust, courtesy are critical strengths and strategies. Kindness isn't weakness. Thanks for your consideration!
Glenda Deutsch
Tracy Lyons
I care deeply about this community and the people of Hemlock Farms, which is why I’ve decided to run for the Board. Since moving to Hemlock Farms full-time in 2020, I have invested significant time attending Board and Committee meetings and getting to know individuals throughout the community personally. What I value most about Hemlock Farms is not just the natural beauty and amenities, but the people who make this community special.
I genuinely enjoy connecting with others, listening to experiences, and understanding different perspectives. Between my education and career in social work and legal/justice systems, I have developed strong communication, facilitation, problem-solving, and strategic-planning skills. More importantly, I have empathy and can offer dignity and grace. I am a serious and transformational leader who's hardworking, transparent, sensible, and determined.
Integrity and helping others are core values in my life, both personally and professionally. Over the past several years, many residents have reached out to me privately to share frustrations, concerns, and ideas for improving this community. I believe people do that because they trust me, know I will listen, take them seriously, and try to help wherever possible.
Over time, I’ve become increasingly concerned about the dynamics between Board Directors, Management, and membership. I have personally observed members being shown disrespect, defensiveness, denials, deflection, and lack of accountability. Between the Board’s disregard and Management’s inadequacies, trust has eroded within the community; increasing resentments and decreasing member satisfaction. 
Members should feel valued, respected, and informed. My goal is to improve communication between the Board, Management, and members while offering solutions and promoting fairness. Hemlock Farms deserves efficient, ethical, and effective leadership focused on quality improvements, responsiveness, financial conservation, and long-term planning. Research, and the truth, matter to me; I will not just rubber-stamp Management.
As a lifelong advocate for vulnerable populations, I am tenacious at tackling situations head-on when problems are occurring or when leadership must be improved. I am passionate, feel inspired, and compelled to act. I enjoy operating out of comfort zones. While my intensity can be off-putting, meaningful change requires someone like me to do the hard work of challenging questionable practices and holding leaders accountable when necessary to ensure responsible governance.
I want community leaders that my school-age son can be proud of and trust. I want to rebuild confidence in Hemlock Farms and move forward positively, productively, and pragmatically. I respectfully ask for your vote.
Tracy Lyons
Steven L Goldman
Be heard! Let my voice amplify yours!
My family has been enjoying our Hemlock home and wonderful amenities since 2009. My service to Hemlock Farms began with joining the Recreation Committee during the pandemic, where I’ve served as Secretary for two years and Chair for the past three. I continue to serve on PLU&A, and since their inceptions, the Steer Barn (founding-chair as Recreation-subcommittee) and Fawn Hill Improvements (one year Vice-chair) Ad-hoc Committees; I also served on PHS&S and the now-defunct Elections and Procurement Ad-hoc committees. I joined the Hemlock Farms Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company three years ago to further give-back to the community, earning multiple state and national technical certifications, serving as a Trustee on the Board of Directors, and being Chair of the Bylaws Committee.
I have staunchly advocated for greater amenities accessibility, proper projects advertisement, vendor accountability, and compelling consistent code-compliance. Our aging infrastructure should be made more accessible not because we have to, rather because it’s the right thing to do (and benefits everyone). Youth older than thirteen should not be deprived of Day Camp participation, either as CITs or counselors (before they turn eighteen). RFPs should be advertised in accordance with our Bylaws to attract wider diversity of qualified bidders. We need accountability, not specious explanations, when projects exceed timelines and budgets. Neighbors should not suffer enduring clear-cut and untidy lots while offenders seemingly go unpunished. We can do better!
 In the corporate world, I have a successful legacy of technology innovation and audit, project- and staff-management, budgeting and IT architecture leadership. In Hemlock Farms, I am an outspoken advocate for transparency, accountability, quality and consistency. Whether speaking on behalf of a committee, contributing during Members’ Time, or writing Letters to the Editor, I am not afraid to ask provocative questions or recommend practical solutions. I do not merely attend meetings or join organizations: I immerse myself and work diligently towards positive and enduring results. As a Director, I would continue to advocate for justice for the unfairly treated and reform where policies and procedures are lacking, and to foster an environment where Directors and Members can engage with mutual respect.
I hope to continue giving-back to the community and neighbors I’ve enjoyed for nearly two decades as a member of your Board of Directors. Being elected to the Board will elevate me from advocating solutions to being a catalyst for effecting meaningful change.
Steven L. Goldman
Hana McKenna
“PRACTICAL. HONEST. OCCASIONALLY BLUNT. HANA McKENNA”
Born on Long Island, New York, and a proud full-time resident of Hemlock Farms for over 32 years, I have built my life and career around hard work, service, and community.
My professional background spans three demanding fields. I began by co-owning successful family restaurants, where I developed hands-on leadership, financial discipline, and a deep understanding of customer and community needs. I went on to graduate from medical school and work in hospital settings, gaining experience in high-stakes decision-making, problem-solving, and teamwork under pressure. For the past 28 years, I have served in a unique role with the United States Postal Service, strengthening my expertise in logistics, operations, and public service.
These experiences give me a well-rounded, practical perspective that I will bring to the Hemlock Farms Board of Directors. I understand how to manage budgets, solve complex problems, and make decisions that balance efficiency with the needs of people. 
I am running for the Board to bring strong leadership, real-world experience, and a commitment to protecting and improving our community. Hemlock Farms is my home, and I am dedicated to helping it thrive.
Hana McKenna