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Residents urge safeguards in Tellico Village GM search after board discusses advisory firm
Summary
Multiple residents expressed concern that an advisory/search firm could both recommend organizational changes and supply candidates for the general manager role, and officials said the present engagement is a benchmarking/advisory effort and that the interim GM will not participate in a search for his own job.
During the public‑comment portion of the POA meeting residents pressed the board on the planned search for a general manager and whether an advisory or search firm could introduce conflicts by recommending and then filling a senior position.
Linda Garza (resident, Toqua) told the board she worried the ‘‘connection between the two’’ — hiring an advisory firm that could also provide candidates — might be problematic. She said it looks like the scope described on Monday combined benchmarking and the hiring function, and asked the board to clarify whether the firm would also place its employees in POA roles.
Board members responded that the immediate engagement is meant to be an advisory benchmarking effort to produce recommendations and an organizational assessment, not a headhunter engagement to recruit a candidate. One board member said, "We're trying to bring an advisory services firm that has experience and expertise in running residential amenities‑based communities ... they're not a headhunter firm." The board added that any significant operational or staffing changes would come back before the board for approval.
Maureen Castello (resident, Toqua) asked whether an interim general manager could participate in a search for the permanent GM. The board said the interim cannot participate in a search for his own job, and emphasized that the board retains final decision authority. The board also acknowledged residents’ concern about cost: staff said the advisory/search cost is not yet a line item in the 2026 budget and that how the POA will communicate the cost to residents has not been determined.
What residents asked for
- Clear separation between benchmarking/advisory work and any recruitment or candidate placement function. - Assurance that any interim staff will be excluded from searches for positions they might occupy. - Timely, transparent communication to residents about expected advisory costs and whether those will appear in the 2026 budget.
Board response
Board members repeatedly said the current step is to define the GM role and qualifications and to receive non‑binding recommendations from an advisory firm; the board will decide whether to run a permanent search and how to staff it. They also reminded residents that board members are elected and that future boards could change strategy but that the current board intends to pursue the benchmarking approach.
Quotes
"I think the concern is the connection between the two and hiring not only that search firm, but also their employees to take on the general manager's position.", Linda Garza
"Matt can't participate in the search for his own job.", board member (clarifying)
