Ray Hoover
My wife, Lucy, and I have been home owners on Seabrook Island for the past twelve years and full-time residents since May 2014. However, our history here goes back much further; to our first visit in the Lowcountry 37 years ago.
As a community we have a collective responsibility to actively maintain and enhance our island’s most cherished assets; whether environmental, real estate, recreational or the lifestyle we all enjoy.
Therefore, I am seeking a position on the SIPOA Board to further contribute to the island’s responsible, thoughtful planning and development; while sensitively respecting the magnificence of its natural environment. I believe my professional experience, as a licensed architect, prepares me to effectively serve in that role.
After 45 years, I retired from tvsdesign, a large internationally recognized architectural practice based in Atlanta. I joined the firm in 1972, after graduating from The School of Architecture at Georgia Tech. I served in multiple senior management and design roles including as a member of its Board and Managing Principal overseeing the firm’s global practice and as General Manager of Mid-East/North African Operations. My colleagues and I lead the firms rapid growth to become a global presence acknowledged as celebrated international design and planning leaders.
After designing and building our new home at Dove Nest Court, I began to serve and remain on the Architectural Review Committee in 2017 and the Long-Range Planning Committee in 2018. These experiences have provided insight into the great opportunities we enjoy on our island, while defining the current challenges we must constructively address, including:
- The effects of global warming and the rise in sea level (effecting flooding and drainage issues)
- The maintenance of an aging inventory of older homes
- Increased Johns Island development and traffic which adds additional strain on our local infrastructure
- Evolving market and lifestyle desires of a younger generation
The viewpoints of Seabrook’s owners are as diverse as the properties they own. Since 1986, Lucy and I have owned multiple property types in the Lowcountry; including a villa in a large regime, a home in a planned unit development, a single-family home, and a vacant lot. We have been both full time and part time residents. Therefore, the experience of owning a wide variety of properties tremendously helps better understand the diverse viewpoints of Seabrook’s owners.
I also currently serve on the Board of the World Affairs Council of Charleston, Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club, the Turtle Patrol and have chaired a committee on Global Fluency for the Charleston Regional Development Alliance and Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.
We have an obligation to responsibly and rationally enrich the lives of all those who live, invest and visit Seabrook; all while serving as sensitive, selfless guardians of our unique barrier island environment.
Lucy and I have invested our future here. Seabrook Island is not only our cherished home it is beloved by our three children and six grandchildren. Lucy and I are incredibly proud and grateful to be members of our Seabrook community.
-Submitted by Ray Hoover
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