Election canceled; three candidates to be seated July 1

My name is Christine Novello. My husband, Ron, and I fell in love with Sun City West at first sight. We purchased our home a few months later and moved here in September 2016. After retiring from my full-time career in December 2021, I now can pursue new and old hobbies such as riding my bicycle, learning golf and pickleball, and singing in local bands.

I also serve on the Budget and Finance Committee. We review the financial policies and financial plans of the Recreation Centers and make recommendations to the Governing Board and General Manager. After completing the TORCH Program in November, I wanted to volunteer my skills and experience to serve on the Governing Board itself.

During my career, I built a reputation as a strong minded, client-focused innovator. I welcome challenges and am known for solving problems while building strong, unified teams. I’m also known for creating profit and maximizing shareholder value with passion, drive, and commitment to excellence. I hold an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business as well as a B.S. in Business Administration from Salem State University.

I was born and raised 10 miles north of Boston. After college, I started my career as a computer programmer in New England Telephone Company. I was promoted into management roles and decided to pursue my MBA. After Wharton, I moved to Manhattan and worked for PriceWaterhouseCoopers Consulting. This led to executive management roles at Citigroup, Barnes & Noble, and Avon Products among other companies. Along the way, I founded Dolce Sarde, which imported fine Italian Wines and promoted them across the USA. I also taught MBA courses in management and marketing at Monroe College’s King Graduate School.

More recently, I was the Director of Digital Technology Consulting and Global Head of Product Management at Cognizant, a global consulting and technology services company. Some of my clients included: Comcast, Discover, Cigna, Toyota, State of NY, Mars Global, Canadian Tire, New York Life, Glaxo Smith Kline, and IHG Hotels.

After years of constant travel, I founded Titanium Transformation Partners a few years ago. I continued to advise businesses on lean portfolio management, efficiency improvements, financial/regulatory compliance, and strategy.

I look forward to bringing my qualifications and experience, my passion for Sun City West, my depth of character and my commitment to service to the SCW Governing Board.

My wife, Teri, and I moved to Sun City West in 2015 from Londonderry, NH.  We settled on Sun City West because of the outstanding amenities and vast array of club and activity options offered by the community.

I retired after 35 years in the insurance industry.  I spent my entire career in the same company, starting as a claims adjuster and working up to leadership roles in senior level management.  I hold a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MBA from New Hampshire College.  I also hold a CPCU professional designation. In addition to my career, I also served on the Somersworth, NH, School Board for 9 years and served on the Board of Directors of the Heritage United Way in NH.

I made the decision to run for the Governing Board because I love Sun City West and want to work to continue to keep Sun City West a premier retirement community.  I have a deep interest in the history of the Sun Cities, especially the history of Sun City West.  I volunteer as a docent at the Sun Cities Museum.

My wife and I are involved in a variety of clubs and activities in the community.  With a detailed knowledge of the history of Del Webb and Sun City West, I believe that serving on the Board will allow me to contribute to the continued success of Sun City West as a destination for future retirees for generations to come.  Preserving our unique position as one of the nation’s top amenity-laden communities, while being one of the most affordable, will be a guiding principle for me if elected to the Governing Board.

In preparation for becoming more involved in the community, I participated in the TORCH Academy and currently serve on the TORCH Committee.  I am a member of the PRIDES.  I am also a dedicated cyclist, runner and swimmer.

I believe that from its beginning, Sun City West is uniquely positioned to remain one of the very best age restricted communities in the nation.  “A community like Sun City West may be often imitated, but it will never be truly duplicated,” is an observation I frequently make when describing why Sun City West is such a great place to live the best years of our lives.  I look forward to serving on the Governing Board.

I am from Iowa and attended the University of Iowa and received my BA from Northern Arizona University.  Much of my work experience involved working with governmental agencies.

I worked for the National Park Service during the development and land acquisition phases of the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Presidential Library.  A transfer to California started my work experience in municipal government with the city of San Mateo Department of Community and Economic Development, which included planning, zoning and building divisions and working with the Greater Downtown Commission and the Planning Commission.  I also served as president of the Employees Association, resolving personnel issues, employee benefits and labor contract negotiations.

In 1978 we moved to Phoenix and that began my 26-year career with the city of Phoenix. My career journey took me to the following departments:  Parks, Recreation and Library; Personnel; City Clerk; City Prosecutor; Police; Community Service Coordinator and Labor Relations.  My varied work experience has provided opportunities to develop my skills in conflict management and getting groups to work as a team, resulting in compromises, solutions and problem solving.

Upon retirement, we moved to Sun City West in 2004.  My involvement here began with serving five years on the Personnel Committee, serving on the Properties Committee, Long Range Planning Committee, Public Relations Committee and several special committees such as the R.H. Johnson Aquatics Center Renovation project, four space allocation committees and the General Manager Search Committee.  I am a TORCH Academy graduate.

From 2013-2016 I served as a Governing Board Director and chaired the Properties Committee for three years. I was elected secretary for the Board in 2013. I am currently serving a one-year term as a Director. I was chairman of the Election Committee in 2019.

In the past 18 years I have seen many changes in our community.  Changing demographics has brought in new interests, a desire for new clubs and new amenities.  What has not changed is the importance of maintaining our facilities and our reputation as a premier golf community.

I come to the Governing Board with a lot of experience, energy and a watchful eye on wants vs. needs.   Transparency and fiscal responsibility are necessary to maintain community standards while keeping costs down.  I have no pet projects, and as a Director I will never forget my job is to represent all the owner members.