Ricardo Mangione

Owner of Casa Caribe and current Vecinos President

Hi neighbors! My name is Ricardo Mangione and I’m proud to call Akumal Norte my full-time home and to be the owner of Casa Caribe. Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as President of the Vecinos of Akumal Norte Association, working closely with our amazing community to address challenges and make Akumal Norte a safer, more beautiful, and thriving place for all of us.

I’ve worked on many Community projects and have built close relationships with key officials, including the President of the Tulum Municipality and other members of his administration, to ensure our concerns are heard and addressed. Together, we’ve accomplished some incredible things and we will continue to do so if you continue to give me your support. 

Because of personal issues that will take me away from full-time responsibilities in Akumal Norte, I have decided not to run for President of the association in the upcoming term. However, my commitment to this community remains strong. To continue contributing to the progress of Akumal Norte, I have decided to run for a vocal position on the Vecinos board. This role will allow me to stay involved and support our shared efforts to make our neighborhood the best it can be.

Thank you for your trust, support, and partnership in making Akumal Norte such a special place to call home!

Ricardo Mangione

Mike Stone

Former HOA President at La Iguana

Hello,

My name is Mike Stone. I am an owner at La Iguana Condominiums since 2006. I've been a member of the La Iguana Condo Association for over a decade and was the president for 6 years. My wife and I first came to Akumal in 1999. We have come back every year since. 

When we purchased in 2006 we were working in the US so ended up renting the unit out when we were not here.  We stopped renting our condo in 2017 since we have been spending more time in Akumal then the US. Since I've retired in 2020 we are basically full-time in Akumal (at least 10 months of each year).  

I have been a member of the Vecinos since 2016. I attended some of the meetings at Casa Gatos and helped in collecting donations for things like the road and the water line back before we had annual dues. 

I have not been involved much since covid and injuring my knee. But, I would like to get involved with the community again.

Peter Swenson

HOA President at Mi Casa Del Mar and current Vecinos Board Member

I have served on the Vecinos Board now for several years and through that participation, I’ve learned that actively supporting our community is critical if we are to be successful in navigating the increasing challenges we face.  It has also given me a tremendous opportunity to get to know more of the residents and understand their goals and concerns. 

I have been routinely spending time in Mexico since 1970. My wife Barbara and I bought our condo at Mi Casa del Mar in 1999 to spend time with our family and for the ambiance of the community.  It is, indeed, a special place.  

For the past eleven years, we have spent winters here, splitting our time between Akumal and our home in Boulder Colorado. I am semi-retired and still work part-time as a consultant in the nuclear engineering field.  During my working years, I worked in large programs worldwide, in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. 

Progress, Challenges, and Goals

I am seeking to continue my role on the Vecinos Board to help achieve the goals of the community.  In my view, there are a few critical areas where we have made substantial progress in the past, where we continue to face challenges, and where future efforts are needed.  These are:

1. Security – Our Pluma (security gate) greatly enhances access control, safety, traffic, and security.  We obtained permits for our Caseta (building), got electricity and plumbing installed and are maintaining it.  We need to continue toward regularization of this key installation to ensure adequate funding and to provide high quality contracting services.  Additionally, we need to continue support of the Guardia Nacional, which greatly benefits our security posture.
2. Municipalization – Although our authority will never be that of a governmental entity, we need to improve our ability to control our own destiny.  We have concluded numerous, beneficial agreements with the Municipality in the past and need to strongly prioritize this effort to enhance our quasi-governmental status.
   
3. Infrastructure – In the past we’ve paved our road, maintained that road and topes, installed lighting and improved traffic control.  Although installation of the town sewer system is delayed, we need to continue our advocacy for this crucial element, along with sidewalks and improved street lighting.  
   
4. Environment – We have made strides in building a recycling program, have conducted numerous “clean up” days.  However, many of our local septic systems are inadequate and need to be addressed.  We need to work with the residents to help them both understand the needs and to find affordable, realistic solutions.  
   

I truly appreciate your support and look forward to work with the Vecinos on behalf of the residents of Akumal Norte during the coming years.

If you’d like to discuss the Vecinos and Akumal with me in further detail, please contact me at peterswenson@hotmail.com

Beryl van Lierop

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HOA President at Yak Ku Cai and current Vecinos Board Member

• Attended schools in Buenos Aires, Beirut, New York, Mississippi 
  
• Bilingual Spanish/English 
  
• Graduated in Political Science/Spanish 
  
• Taught in the International Baccalaureate program in Jackson,Mississippi   public schools.
  
• Chairman foreign language department Jackson Public Schools
  
• Led student and college alumni tours of Yucatán/QR.
  
• Board member Belhaven Heights Home Owners Association 
  
• Owner of Yal Ku Cai condo 2 since 1994.  Permanent resident since retirement in 2006.
  
• President of Yal Ku Cai condos
  
• Member of Vecinos and Akumal council until their dissolution 
  
• Vice President Vecinos de Akumal Norte 2016-2021
  
• Presiding President of Vecinos de Akumal Norte Annual Meeting
• Current Vocal Board Member of Vecinos de Akumal Norte