The following candidates are running unopposed for the 3 open board positions for 2026.
Vice President Position – Mike Melnyk
I have been an organizer and leader of people for my entire professional career. I was an educator for 34 years, holding many club leader positions within the school such as student council, key club advisor and Student Assistance Team member. I was a college football coach for 10 years and a head high school football coach for 20 years. I am currently a member and head coach of the CFIL Advanced team here in St. James, where we have resided for 2 1/2 years. I was also elected the HOA President for the Lakeside Commons community here in St. James for the past year.
These career positions required me to work with a variety of groups including, administrators, students, fellow teachers, parents and community members. I can communicate well, be extremely organized, and I am dedicated to putting in whatever hours it takes to complete a job. I never ask anything of anyone I represent to do something if I am not willing to do it myself.
I believe in the team concept and feel that I could help this organization represent the entire pickleball community here in St. James. Moving forward is important to me and I like to leave anywhere I work in a better position than when I arrived, and I feel like I could do the same here with the SJPA. For example, as the HOA president, I have been able to get the irrigation system in Lakeside Commons up and running (at least partially), for the first time in 3-5 years. I am a people person and I have strong leadership skills that I would like to continue to use in my retirement.
Treasure Position – Leo Pacyna
My wife (Sandy) and I moved to St. James in April of 2023. We both have been members of SJPA since mid-2023. I have also been a member of the Events committee for 2 years.
I am retired from a 40+ year career in Finance, including the last 34 years with Tetra Pak, the world’s largest beverage/dairy packaging and processing equipment company. My last position was as a market CFO for US/Canada with $1.2bn in revenues.
I have a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Connecticut as well as a M.S. in Corporate Financial Management from Fairfield University.
Secretary Position – Robyn Smith
I would like to volunteer for the position of recording secretary of the SJPA. I haven’t had an actual resume since partway through my career in publishing, which began more than 45 years ago. Having been recording secretary for my sorority in college doesn’t mean all that much now.
Having said that, St. James has been my home for more than 10 years. Pickleball has been my favorite sport and an important part of my lifestyle for more than half that time. I play in several different groups and have an awareness of what members appreciate and where they see room for improvement. I have been an active member of the events committee for the past 3 years and have been in charge of several of the social events we organize during the year.
In addition to pickleball, I regularly enjoy bridge and other card games, classes at the gym and being a volunteer with St. James NEST. I’m just starting to get back into tennis and hope I can adjust to a different racquet and ball. If not, that leaves even more time for pickleball.
I look forward to the opportunity to participate on the board of the SJPA and to contribute where I can.