Jay Riggs

Hello fellow Stillwater residents. My name is Jay Riggs. I live on Golden Mapel along with my wife Kel, sons Ayden (16) & Alec (14), and our yorkie Mazie (4). We moved here last year after Dad (Russ DeJonge) passed and Mom (Wendy DeJonge) moved to the Tribune Lofts in Grand Haven. We have quickly come to love this community with the welcoming neighbors, the peace and quiet, and the sound of the fountain on swale 2.

 

This time for us has been incredibly therapeutic after losing Dad, and after having spent the better part of 2021 and 2022 at DeVos Children's Hospital with Ayden. He has a connective tissue condition called Loeys-Dietz Syndrome. This caused him to have 7 emergent open heart surgeries and 2 lung surgeries over that time. Needless to say it was very draining on our family and we have sought and found peace and respite here. 

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My background is in the entertainment industry, entrepreneurship, and non-profit work. I have served on 15 boards, Chairman/President of 7, member of 8, and paid advisor to 5 more. My first 10 years after school were as a recording artist, then I moved into the business side of music. I was fortunate to work with a team of seasoned professionals whose client list included BonJovi, Ricky Martin, Madonna and many others. After 24 years I exited the entertainment world and got into philanthropy and marketing starting multiple entities in each. In 2019 I exited my last entity and then covid hit. We took off most of 2020 like most people and I did a bit of NPO consulting. In 2021-2023 We dealt with Ayden's medical situation and I performed some business consulting. Then in 2024 I started a new national real estate brokerage called selleio™.com.

We are now rebuilding our lives and enjoying the health of our family. 

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I decided to offer my services to the Stillwater Community in a board capacity when I saw how small and overworked our current board is. In my opinion, there are not near enough board members, or subcommittee participants to handle the volume of items necessary to keep a large community like this organized, thriving, and happy. My parents always told me if I was going to complain, I'd better be willing to step up and do something about it, so here I am.

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I hope to influence the following during my time of service:

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- Board of 7-11 members to help shoulder the load here at Stillwater

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- 24hr phone system to get in touch with a board member for any urgent need.

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- Full sub-committees with Board member and Resident participation to keep the community beautiful, healthy, vibrant and socially connected

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- 100% functional irrigation, pumps, fountains, with green grass and clear waterways.

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- Lean-budgeted landscaping, snow removal, property & legal services. 

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- 100% transparency from HOA to Residents for financials, rules & regs, and meeting minutes. (through software and email/mail so that residents see everything)

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- Vibrant Social Committee with Board and Resident participation to create neighborhood events, help-a-neighbor program for any need, community trips to local events etc...

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I know there are a plethora of additional items that we can do as a community to continue the growth of enjoyment and happiness here at Stillwater, these are just a few things I feel particularity passionate about, and that I think my expertise will lend to.  Feel free to contact me at any of the methods at the top of the page. ​

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Jay Riggs