COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

Community Involvement

Judie Holt has been a Marion Oaks resident since 2019 and is committed to bringing neighbors together and helping the community thrive. She enjoys staying active in neighborhood programs and finding ways to contribute.

She has been an active member of Marion County Friends of the Library since fall 2019 and serves on the Friends of the Library Council and Steering Committee. Judie is also a long-term member of the Marion Oaks Annex community, where she participates in exercise classes and other programs. She applied and was accepted to serve on the MSTU Advisory Board (Maintenance).

Professional Background

Her professional experience includes support roles in two hospitals, IBM, a church, and an insurance agency. These positions helped her develop organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

SERVICE & LEADERSHIP

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

Professional Background

Anna Mariz Kirk brings extensive experience in business management, accounting, administration, and community service. She has been a small business owner and worked as an accountant with the City of Erie Housing Authority.

She also managed a 200-unit high-rise building for seniors and people with physical and mental disabilities. In special project assignments for the Housing Authority, Anna created training manuals for positions in accounting, clerical work, and management.

Community & Volunteer Service

Anna served as Secretary of St. Mark’s Auxiliary and on the parish council at St. John the Baptist Church in Erie, Pennsylvania. She also volunteered as Social Director at Nightingale Nursing Home.

SERVICE & LEADERSHIP

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

Background

Mary Brusstar has lived in Marion Oaks for a little over a year after relocating from Pennsylvania with her husband, Kent. They have been married for 46 years and have four grown children, two of whom are married, and six grandchildren. Their oldest daughter also lives in Marion Oaks. Their oldest son and son-in-law are both on active duty in the Coast Guard.

Professional & Volunteer Experience

Over her career, Mary has worked in a variety of industries, primarily in management positions. She has also served on a church board and was Secretary of a local chapter of CMA for more than five years, until she and her husband were called into leadership.

Commitment to Marion Oaks

Mary describes Marion Oaks as a friendly place and would welcome the opportunity to help MOCA expand neighborhood activities, create opportunities for residents, and build new friendships.

SERVICE & LEADERSHIP

MARION OAKS CIVIC ASSOCIATION  |  MOCA

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Originally from Pennsylvania, John Wagner moved to Florida with his wife and son to help care for his father-in-law. John and his family are actively involved in their local Boy Scout troop, church, and Marion Oaks Civic Association (MOCA) events. Their participation reflects a strong commitment to service and community life.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

In Pennsylvania, John worked in construction, gaining experience in building developments, roads, and bridges. After moving to Florida, he joined a local moving company, working as a mover and tow driver before taking on his current role as move manager.

SERVICE & LEADERSHIP

John served as a volunteer firefighter for 37 years. He has also been a member of the Sons of AMVETS for 30 years, advancing from volunteer to Commander at both local and state levels. These roles reflect decades of dedication to public service, teamwork, and leadership.

FAMILY & COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

John, his wife, and their son remain active in youth activities, their church, and MOCA community events. He hopes to use his professional background and volunteer experience to support Marion Oaks as the community continues to grow.

“I hope my experiences will be beneficial to the community as it grows.”

JOHN WAGNER  •  SERVICE  •  LEADERSHIP  •  COMMUNITY

MARION OAKS CIVIC ASSOCIATION  |  MOCA

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Born and raised in Southern California, Stella Owens moved to Florida in 2021. Throughout her life, she has been committed to community service, volunteering at food banks in California and Nevada and helping with election activities.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Stella worked for the Corona Police Department in Corona, California, retiring in 2000. She also worked for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in Santa Ana, California, where she was recognized as Employee of the Year. Her experience additionally includes serving as a substitute teacher.

SERVICE & LEADERSHIP

Stella has organized events for the Corona Police Department and her church. She enjoys coordinating activities and contributing behind the scenes, bringing organizational skills and a dependable spirit to the groups she supports.

PERSONAL INTERESTS & COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

Stella enjoys garage sales and estate sales as a hobby. She believes in giving back to the community and helping others, a principle reflected in her years of professional and volunteer service.

“I believe in giving back to the community and helping others.”

STELLA OWENS  •  SERVICE  •  ORGANIZATION  •  COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

Community Service in Marion Oaks

Michael Center moved from Suffolk, Virginia, to Marion Oaks in May 2022. He first became involved locally by volunteering for the M.O.V.E. (Marion Oaks Visual Eyes) program and participating in community patrols.

He later volunteered for C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) and has been active with the Marion Oaks team since 2023. As a Marion Oaks Deed Inspector, Michael works three days a week checking reported violations and reviewing homeowner requests involving fences, sheds, and other items. He was elected to the Board in 2024.

Leadership & Professional Experience

Before moving to Marion Oaks, Michael spent more than 20 years on the Board of the Burbage Grant Homeowners Association in Suffolk, serving as Treasurer, Vice President, and President.

An Army Airborne veteran, Michael retired from Newport News Shipbuilding in 2018 after 35 years. He also served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for 30 years, completing his service as Rear Commodore Atlantic East, covering Virginia and Maryland.

SERVICE & LEADERSHIP

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

Volunteer Leadership

Marcine Akeley has a longstanding record of volunteer service. Before moving to Florida approximately 14 years ago, she volunteered for 32 years with the Maine State Music Theatre Angels and was the organization’s longest-serving volunteer.

During those years, Marcine served four years as President, gaining experience supporting a volunteer organization and working with others toward shared goals.

Professional Background

Marcine holds a degree in Human Relations in Administration. Before retiring, she worked as an office manager for a dental office.

SERVICE & LEADERSHIP

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

Public Service  •  Civic Leadership  •  Genealogy

Community Involvement

Originally from Maine, Lee Akeley, 76, has lived in Marion Oaks since 2012. He has made the community his home for more than a decade.

For four years, Lee has served on the Board of Directors of the Marion Oaks Civic Association (MOCA), bringing his experience and perspective to local civic leadership.

Professional Background

Lee retired as a Security Control Officer with the Maine Department of Corrections after 38 years of service. He also served on a State of Maine committee responsible for revising training for security officers, contributing practical insight from his extensive professional experience.

Volunteer Service & Personal Interests

Lee served for two years as Treasurer of an adoption group. A lifelong genealogist, he has maintained an enduring interest in researching family histories and tracing connections across generations.

SERVICE & LEADERSHIP

Lee brings decades of public service, committee experience, and volunteer leadership to his work with MOCA. His background reflects a lasting dedication to responsibility and community involvement.

MARION OAKS CIVIC ASSOCIATION  |  MOCA

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION

JOSÉ TORRES

Civic Engagement •  Media & Communications  •  Community Service

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

In Marion Oaks, José contributes to the Marion Oaks Civic Association (MOCA), supporting community outreach, communications, public information, and local civic participation. He has also been involved in planning and promoting community events, including the Marion Oaks Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC BACKGROUND

José was president of ¿Oíste? — The Massachusetts Latino Political Organization, established in 1999. The organization worked to expand Latino civic education, voter participation, political representation, and community leadership across Massachusetts.

FAITH & VOLUNTEER SERVICE

José also participates in media and communications activities at St. Mary’s Church in the city of Taunton and representing the Hispanic Apostolate at the Diocese of Fall River MA. At the present time active member at St. Jude Catholic Parish, helping support parish information, outreach, and community connections.

SERVICE & LEADERSHIP

Across his volunteer work, José emphasizes communication, civic education, inclusion, and cooperation. He seeks to make information more accessible and encourage neighbors to participate in decisions that affect their community.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY

A lifelong learner, José believes that experience, expertise, continuing education, and service can work together to make a positive difference in the lives of others.