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CSC Elections 2026

Voting in the club’s Annual Meeting is a right of membership. Similar to last year, members can vote online, vote in person at the Annual Meeting on March 10th, or via absentee e-mailed ballot.  Members are encouraged to vote online.  

The Columbia Ski Club is a volunteer organization; Officers and Chairpersons are not compensated for their service. 

2026 Elections: Dates & Deadlines

  • Monday February 9: Nominations for President Elect and Director candidates at the February Membership Meeting
  • Monday February 16: Deadline for requesting an absentee emailed PDF ballot. We prefer online voting. 
  • Monday, Feb 23: Online voting opens
  • Saturday, Mar. 7: Online voting closes
  • Monday March 9:  Voting in person at the CSC Annual Meeting, tallying votes and announcing the winners. 

The Election Committee shall determine the validity of a ballot and has the discretion to discard any ballot it deems questionable.


Voting Online

We prefer that members vote online.  Members can vote on-line for the President Elect and Directors via the CSC web site: https://columbiaskiclub.org.  You must be a member to be able to login to the CSC web site and vote.  Early online voting will commence on Feb 23 and end on March 7. Voting online is easy and takes only a minute or two.
Members are encouraged to vote online. Every vote counts towards our required quorum.  Basically, to vote online: 
1. Login to your CSC Web Site account
2. Select the MEMBERS/Elections menu item to display the Elections page.  
3. Click on the VOTE NOW button to display the CSC 2026 Election Ballot.  
4. Click on the check box next to each selected candidate or write-in candidate.  
5. Click Next to review your selections or use the back button to make changes 
6. Click the “Submit Response” button to compete voting. 

More detailed instructions can be found here: Online Voting Instructions 
If you 
need help logging-in click here: Login Help

Voting by an email Absentee Ballot

If you prefer to vote by absentee PDF ballot you may request one via email – we will email you a PDF ballot that you fill in and email back.  Send an e-mail request with a subject of “CSC Absentee Ballot Request” to elections@ColumbiaSkiClub.org.  The e-mail request must be sent from the member's email address of record (the one that receives club emails) and include your full name and mailing address for validation. 

Voting in Person
Attend the CSC membership meeting on March 9 to receive a paper ballot and vote. 

Candidates for President Elect


David Svanda– President Elect
Hi Members and Friends of the Columbia Ski Club. My name is David Svanda and I am asking for your support to become your next President Elect. I was elected to the Board of Directors one year ago and have served as the Chair of the Ad Hoc Finance Committee since it was formed. I have very much enjoyed this experience. But, more importantly, I have been so inspired by so many others who give their time and experience to make this club what it has become. I am challenged by seeing what others have contributed and accomplished, to try to return more to this great organization.
I grew up in Illinois; went to graduate school at Syracuse where I first started skiing; and spent much of my professional life in Michigan. Like many of you, I ran through several careers while figuring out what I wanted to be- still kinda working on that! I was a City Manager. I served a three-term Michigan Governor in a number of roles. My last assignment was as a Public Service Commissioner. My final year as a commissioner I was President of the national association of state commissioners.Then I started my own consulting company focused on energy, telecommunications and water.
I have interests all over the spectrum, from archaeology, to geology, to space. I love adventures of all types. In addition to skiing my list includes: hiking, rafting, canoeing, riding horses and motorcycles, live music, bourbon and champagne, and travel- made it to the 7th continent in 2024 and have visited all 50 states.
I feel fortunate to be associated with this fantastic club and to benefit from all the opportunities that it offers. I would be honored if you would support me as I try to give back in some small measure. Thank you for your consideration.


Candidates for Board of Directors

 

Mary Maxey – Board of Directors

If there’s snow on the ground (or a ski trip on the calendar), chances are you’ll find me there. I’m Mary Maxey—avid skier, longtime Columbia Ski Club member, and enthusiastic volunteer—and I’m excited to throw my helmet into the ring for the Board of Directors.
I’ve been part of CSC for 15 years, during which I’ve worn many hats: ski trip leader, newsletter editor, event participant, and all-around cheerleader for this fantastic club. I’ve seen firsthand what makes CSC special—great people, great skiing, and a strong sense of community—and I want to help keep that momentum going.
Off the slopes, I bring 34+ years of federal government experience, with a background in data management, records management, and field biology. Translation: I’m organized, detail-oriented, calm under pressure, and very good at turning complex information into something useful. I also know how to work with diverse teams and keep things running smoothly—skills that translate surprisingly well from the office to the boardroom.
If elected, my goals are simple and heartfelt:

  • Keep CSC welcoming and inclusive for skiers and boarders of all levels and backgrounds
  • Boost member engagement with fun, meaningful events and opportunities to connect
  • Expand our outreach, bringing fresh energy and new members into the fold

I care deeply about this club and its future. I’m committed to integrity, transparency, and making sure CSC continues to be a place where friendships are formed, adventures are shared, and everyone feels at home—on and off the mountain.

Thanks for considering me, and I hope to earn your support. See you on the slopes

Steve Stanton– Board of Directors
Greetings fellow Columbia Ski Club members. I am honored to be considered for a seat on the Club board.  I am a life-long skier, 40+ year resident of Columbia and three-year member of the Club. I have had the pleasure of participating in four Club ski trips, attending many meetings, pre- and post-trip parties, happy hours, the crab feast and mini golf. These events have given me the opportunity to deepen some existing friendships and make many new friends. I welcome the opportunity to serve on the board and return the benefits I have derived from being a member.

I believe my civic and professional experience as a CPA makes me well qualified for this important role. I have sat on a number of boards of nonprofit organizations, including currently serving as chair of the Audit Committee of the American Psychological Association, the board and now advisory committee of the DC Appleseed Society for Law and Justice, and a long-time board member and Treasurer of Big Brothers / Big Sisters of the National Capital Area. My professional work has provided me with frequent interaction with boards of major charities, hospitals, universities and publicly traded companies, so I am well acquainted with the role and responsibilities this would entail.

Most importantly, I am committed to representing the members in directing the strategy and governance of the Club.  I am winding down my professional career and will have the time, energy and enthusiasm to devote to a board role should I be appointed.

Thank you for considering me to serve on the board of an organization of which I am happy to be a member.


Susan Vasco – Board of Directors
 
I have been a member of the Columbia Ski Club for 11 years and have greatly enjoyed participating in—and leading—multiple club ski trips, as well as organizing and attending several club happy hours. This February, I will participate in the CSC skiing fundraiser, the 100K Vertical Challenge, and I am also proud to have recently organized the club’s annual crab feast. I deeply value the strong sense of community within CSC and would welcome the opportunity to give back by serving as a member of the Board of Directors.

Volunteerism has been a constant throughout my life. I began volunteering at the YMCA in my hometown as an assistant swimming instructor while in 7th grade and, by high school graduation, had added lifeguarding and other responsibilities. Community service has remained an important part of my adult life through many of the organizations with which I’ve been involved. Currently, I am actively engaged with CSC, my church, and my sailing club. I am someone who naturally looks for ways to help where I can.

I hold a BS in Business Administration with specializations in Selling and Sales Management and Retailing. Most of my professional career was spent in the pharmaceutical industry, beginning at Bristol-Myers’ Mead Johnson Pharmaceuticals and later moving to Glaxo Inc. during its early years in the U.S. I retired from GlaxoSmithKline after navigating two mergers, three corporate identities, and significant industry changes. Throughout that time, I achieved considerable success and earned numerous awards despite an ever-evolving work environment. What this means to CSC is that I understand organizational operations, can adapt effectively to change, and am committed to putting in the effort necessary to help organizations meet their objectives.

I believe these skills would allow me to contribute meaningfully to the continued success of CSC.
Thank you for your time and for considering me for service on the CSC Board of Directors.


P.O. Box 204

Columbia, MD 21045