2019-2022 Brochure

Martin Cohen

Martin, and his wife, Nancy, have been members of Frenchman’s Creek since 1990, and full-time members since 2001.

His career is summarized:

 Raised in Eastern Connecticut and served in Japan as a Marine Corps Lieutenant.  Graduate of Brown University and The Wharton School (MBA).

 CPA with Price Waterhouse and appointee to US Treasury Dept. (tax legislation).  CFO and Board member of the Washington Post Co. (33 years, including Watergate).  Officer or Board level volunteer positions with Children’s Hospital National Medical Center, Philip L. Graham Foundation, Palm Beach Gardens Firefighters’ Pension Fund, Maltz Jupiter Theater, Woodmont Country Club and Coach of Montgomery County Champion Western Jr. High Soccer team.  Frenchman’s Creek Board member (1994-2001) and President (two terms), during which time the original Strategic Plan was adopted and the Club/POA merger completed. Finance Committee Chairman (2002/2003). 1. What do you consider to be our community’s greatest strengths? There are too many to mention, as with others of like nature. However, none has our crown jewel—the Beach Club; and perhaps no other has our single-membership/low density size which so perfectly fits our extensive facilities. Absent significant debt and combined with the engaging, innovative attitude of our professional management and staff, this is a place where expectations are readily met. With pru- dent enhancements, surely that should continue. 2. How can your talents best serve the community as a Board Member? Simply put, our wonderful community is unsettled by confusing, ineffective communication from a Board that, among other things, must regain the members’ confidence. I think my analytical skills, experience, maturity and civility can help reset the Board and reconnect it to the membership. This requires the an- ticipation and appreciation of differing views, and a willingness to reconcile (not overcome) them. Moreover, issues and recommendations need to be communicated to the membership fully, in clear terms unencumbered by bias or the presumption of others’ needs. That’s because Board members are not only representatives with a special vote, they also act as trustees for the common good, recognizing that for important measures broad community acceptance—not a slim majority, is the purposeful goal. That means flexibility, attentiveness and, foremost, accommodation to substantial disagreement, are integral to a sound deliberative process. The issue of repair/refurbish is specifically what brings me here, but its my love of Frenchman’s Creek that causes me to continue residence and serve again. Properly handled, a satisfactory resolution can be fashioned. I therefore choose to return to the Board to restore sensibility and, yes, harmony to this wonderful place. It deserves no less.