2025 Annual Election Information
The 2025 election season here! WPPOA will be using VoteNow for ballots and voting as we have in previous years. Ballots will be sent to all eligible Property Owners on August 8th, 2025 via email. You will also receive a postcard from VoteNow with information on voting online and how to request a paper ballot. You will not receive a paper ballot in the mail! If you prefer a paper ballot, you will have to request that from VoteNow. Using a paper ballot has a deadline to be received by VoteNow to allow enough time for your ballot to be entered by the VoteNow team. Paper ballots must be requested by August 15th, 2025.
Property Owners receive three (3) cumulative votes per assessed property. This year we have five (5) candidates running for three (3) vacancies on the Board of Directors. If you own multiple properties, you will receive three (3) votes per property. Since the votes are per property, not property owner, WPPOA recommends a coffee date with your spouse or partner to discuss your ballot choices.
Throughout the election season, VoteNow will send four (4) total emails with reminders to vote. Please make sure you are checking your junk email file. The mass email process often recognizes these emails as spam. VoteNow uses multiple webhosts to avoid this issue, nevertheless, it can still happen. It is also recommended to add info@votenow.com to your contacts as a trusted source.
If you have any trouble with online voting, a dedicated laptop will be set up at the WPPOA Office to enter your vote. You will need to make an appointment and come with your email login information (password, too!) and the email from VoteNow to be sure your vote is accurately applied. Voting will close as soon as the Annual Meeting is called to order.
Quorum of 40% must be reached in order to officially elect your new board members. We are hopeful that all membership will take the opportunity to record your vote.
The Annual Meeting is scheduled for 6:00 PM at Woodside Country Club on September 9th, 2025. We hope to see many faces in attendance!
Board Director Nominees | 2025 Annual Elections
Steve Hoggard
Steve is finishing his third year on the Woodside Plantation Property Owners Association Board of Directors. He was appointed Board Secretary this year and is also responsible as Director of the Technology and Communications team.
Steve’s first two years on the board, he was the Director of the Architectural Review Board. During his tenure on the ARB, the Building and Landscape guidelines were updated annually, enhancing the guidelines so that they were user-friendly and ensuring that all aspects were updated. The ARB also implemented new guidelines with all new builds in the sections managed by the WPPOA, ensuring that the new builds met the specs of the guidelines. The ARB was also an active partner with the Development Architectural Review Board in the Developer sections, which provides continuity to Woodside Plantation. In September 2024, Steve moved to the Director of Technology and Communications with a goal of improving the website technology and launching an updated newsletter format. The new digital format provides Woodside property owners with features, including the current WPPOA employees, Woodside Vendor Partners, and special interest stories within Woodside Plantation. The newsletter is now digital, which allows the ability to not be limited by having to pay to have the newsletter printed each month, which saves money for the WPPOA!
Steve and Jane Hoggard discovered Aiken/Woodside and purchased a lot in the Reserve in 2015. In 2019, they built their home and settled as residents in 2020. Steve retired on March 31, 2021.
Steve’s 41-year career was spent with National Brand Consumer product companies in the Beverage and Food business. He spent 24 years at PepsiCo, holding a variety of Executive/Senior leadership roles in sales and marketing during his career. Steve and Jane relocated 8 times across the country during his career with PepsiCo. After PepsiCo, Steve took on Executive/Senior leadership roles with national consumer brands companies, including Post, Nestle, Hostess Brands, and Danone North America. During his career, Steve developed enterprising executive experience, including new and existing business development, sales leadership roles, including North America responsibility, as well as regional roles. Steve also has extensive experience in brand marketing as well as supply chain, distribution, and product development executive roles during his career. He is known for creative and collaborative leadership style, driving outstanding results throughout his career. His understanding of developing and establishing top priorities and execution strategies to deliver company growth and profits was a key strength.
Steve graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Business and Marketing degree. He has served on multiple Industry National Boards across the Beverage and Food industry. He was active in coaching Ice Hockey and developing the youth Hockey program in the Dallas, Texas area, as well as Michigan travel hockey associations.
Steve is interested in serving on the WPPOA Board for a second term as he wants to continue the positive progress being made and build on all that this beautiful community has to offer. He believes that his knowledge and experience throughout his successful business career and three (3) years of serving on the WPPOA board can be leveraged to keep Woodside a great place to live!
Sandra Brown
Prior Related Experience:
Three years as WPPOA Treasurer, working closely with the Finance Manager and on the Executive Committee to make sound decisions to increase income and control expenses. Previously served as board president of Locust Hills Homeowners Association in Wayzata MN. Served in this position for 3 years. Prior to this position served on an advisory board comprised of residents and developer representative to plan for the transition to owner-controlled board.
Currently involved with the Women of Woodside, Equine Rescue and Joye in Aiken and two book clubs.
Personal Comments:
When we began looking for a community to which we could retire, we looked for community, climate, and cost. We found these qualities at Woodside. As we visited and looked at property, we found a beautifully planned community, wonderful landscaping, meticulously maintained common areas and private residences and all in a city and state with a reasonable cost of living. As we were able to meet more residents, we found friendly, smart, active and welcoming transplants that seemed to also be looking for many of the same qualities in a community that we were.
Our challenge is to ensure that all we love about this community is preserved, cared for and continually upgraded to the highest standards. We must continually plan for maintaining security, enhancing the neighborhood to provide new options for the changes in residents interests and do this all while maintaining a responsible budget.
I have had experience both on another homeowner’s board and as an owner of profitable businesses. I learned that listening to residents and fellow board members and looking for compromises is one of the best ways to arrive at a quality solution. The balance of planning for needed maintenance or enhancement of the neighborhood while maintaining a substantial reserve for emergencies and considering fair assessments is paramount for a homeowner’s board. Searching out and encouraging quality and concerned residents for committee and board positions is extremely important on an ongoing basis. Being a business owner also teaches someone that the time must be invested to realize all these goals.
Dr. Sherri Little
Dr. Sherri Little received her Clinical Doctorate of Audiology degree (Au.D.) from the Arizona School of Health Sciences, her Master of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, and her Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia University.
She and her family moved to Woodside in 2004 from Germany after her husband Mark retired from the Army. This is the longest place she has lived and plans on retiring here. She has 3 children, 2 grandchildren, 1 dog, and 2 cats. She and her husband enjoy traveling, college sports, and spending time with family. Recently, she has taken up golf.
Bill Hegedusich
Bill Hegedusich and his wife, Mary O’Reilly, arrived in Aiken after embarking on a search for a more temperate climate, lower cost of living, and neighborly community. They chose Woodside and Aiken for its southern hospitality, planned development, and amenities. They made the trek south from their former home in Reston, VA to Woodside in 2021 and built their first (and forever) home in the Summer Hill neighborhood. Both are active in their church and the community.
Bill retired from Fort Gordon in January 2025, having spent 4 years at Ft. Gordon. Prior to working at Ft. Gordon, he spent 10 years as an Air Force and Army Civilian at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Bill also spent 22 years in uniform with the U.S. Air Force stationed around the world and 8 years working for a non-profit in Washington, DC.
Most recently, Bill served as the Emergency Manager and Director of Plans and Training at Ft. Gordon. He also served as the Interim Deputy to the Garrison Commander where he managed and directed Garrison operations (Police, Fire, HR, Public Works, Parks and Rec, Finance, and Public Affairs). He formulated goals, policies, and objectives for the Garrison. The Army selected Bill for two fellowships that will serve him, his neighbors, and the WPPOA Board:
- As a City-County Management Senior Fellow, he gained a better understanding of city/county management, creation of lasting professional relationships, and collaboration with senior professionals to exchange ideas and discuss shared challenges, successes, and opportunities.
- As a Harvard Senior Executive Fellow, he sharpened his leadership and managerial skills. The program applies a strategic approach to problem solving and focuses on discovering ways to look at issues with a fresh perspective.
Bill is running for the WPPOA Board to work toward implementing a strategic plan for maintaining Woodside’s infrastructure as development grows; develop Woodside-wide events and volunteering opportunities to connect neighbors and neighborhoods; and improve communication with the Property Owners.
Charlene Maple
My name is Charlene Maple, and I’m honored to be considered for a position on the Woodside Plantation POA Board. I bring with me a wealth of life experience, professional leadership, and a deep love for this community we call home.
Originally from just outside Chicago, I studied at the City Colleges of Chicago before proudly serving in the United States Army. After completing my military service, I successfully owned and operated both a nightclub and a trucking company. These ventures sharpened my leadership skills and taught me the value of hard work, communication, and integrity.
After spending several years in Texas, I chose to retire and settle here in Aiken, South Carolina, where I’ve called Woodside home for the past three and a half years. During this time, I’ve become deeply invested in our neighborhood’s future.
As a former service officer and trustee for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, I understand the importance of advocacy, fairness, and community support. I believe in embracing our diversity, uplifting our seasoned residents, and building bridges across generations to create a stronger, more united community.
If elected, I will bring a fresh, inclusive perspective to the board and will be a strong voice for transparency, accountability, and equity. My goal is to represent all homeowners and ensure that every resident feels seen, heard, and valued.
Let’s grow together—respectfully, responsibly, and united.
Kirk McGowan
Kirk McGowan, known to many as “The LSU Guy,” retired from 27 years of fulfilling service as a Financial Consultant and relocated to Woodside from Tyler, TX., in 2019. Kirk and his wife, Elaine, now deceased, chose Aiken after an extensive search of retirement communities within the Southeast. Having lived in Shreveport, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City, Kirk knew that his future was back in the Southeastern Conference, and upon visiting Aiken, absolutely fell in love with the small-town atmosphere and cordiality. Kirk purchased property on Summer Winds Circle in 2017 and spent the next 2 years winding up client relationships across the United States, while the new home was being constructed.
During his 7 years in Woodside, Kirk volunteered his time and donated his business acumen to small business entrepreneurs as a consultant. Kirk has also served in various capacities with St. John’s Methodist Church, the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, and the Aiken Symphony. This community service is not new, but simply a continuation of the service he followed in Bullard, TX. and for which he was recognized with 2 Presidential Commendations for Community Service. Now, he is offering his talents to the Woodside POA and the residents of Woodside. Kirk’s credentials include a B.S. degree in Business Administration and an MBA with majors in Marketing, Economics, and Finance. Although he is no longer in practice, Kirk held Series 6, 7, 63, 65, Municipal Bond Principal, and Portfolio Manager titles. He was insurance licensed in 18 states and excelled in Estate, Trusts, and Long-Term Care work.
Almost any morning or afternoon, you can catch Kirk and his Bichon, Jazz Beaux, as they enjoy walking and visiting with neighbors along Summer Winds Circle. Kirk loves the Woodside community and promotes it at every opportunity. He recognizes the economic force that Woodside represents and seeks to explore methods of channeling that economic force for the increased benefit and well-being of Woodside residents.