Robert Dickson, President

Robert Dickson has an extensive background in the construction industry.  In addition, Robert achieved his Doctorate in Chemical Engineering and a Masters in Conflict Management. He has served on several academic boards and has had a number of his works published.  His background and experience has proven to be an asset to SAMLARC.

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Robert’s main objective for serving on the Board is to make SAMLARC a valuable asset for every member of the community. His vision is guided by a quote from Jane Jacobs, "Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody."

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Moving forward, Robert says, "My main goal will be keeping SAMLARC relevant and transparent, ensuring positive changes for the community as a whole. SAMLARC's role is more than just planning activities in Rancho Santa Margarita but to help keep our homes and neighborhoods safe,  to help preserve the value of our homes, and make Rancho Santa Margarita a desirable place to live." Following his re-election in February 2018, Robert is excited for the future of the SAMLARC community and looks forward to working with homeowners to make his vision a reality.   

Robert and his husband, David, grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and moved to California at the beginning of 2015. Robert and David have four amazing young children, Jeremiah, Nevaeh, Bella, and Gavin. Robert’s family is very active in many aspects of our community through sports, school activities, and volunteering. 

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Contact President Dickson at

Judy Vasquez, Vice President

Judy Vasquez draws on a wealth of professional experience to guide her decisions as a SAMLARC Board Director. Appointed to the Board of Directors in 2019, Judy serves with a passion for cultivating Members’ connections with the community. Her insights bring a diverse perspective to the Board, founded in her desire to enrich SAMLARC’s standing as a unique and welcoming community.

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When Judy and her husband Johnny began to explore new homes, they knew that a family-oriented community would be central to their search. Judy had spent several years visiting the Lago Santa Margarita Beach Club as a SAMLARC guest, and knew that SAMLARC offers a beautiful environment, plenty of amenities, and a community spirit perfect for her family.

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Judy is committed to preserving and enhancing SAMLARC’s unique beauty. One of her favorite places in the community is the Lago Santa Margarita Beach Club, and she enjoys spending time around the Lake. Judy began serving on the Community Lifestyle Committee in 2018, and can often be seen volunteering at SAMLARC events. Her insights as a Committee Member, homeowner, and parent have helped the Community Lifestyle Committee to reinvigorate SAMLARC’s events.

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In her professional capacity, Judy’s background closely aligns with SAMLARC’s vision to serve a vibrant community. Judy has worked in property management for more than twelve (12) years, specializing in multi-family communities. The skills required to successfully manage a multi-family community will assist in her decision-making when evaluating SAMLARC’s budget, operations, and outreach.

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As a Board Director, Judy would like to nurture SAMLARC’s partnerships throughout the community; fostering SAMLARC’s visibility with residents and connecting with local businesses to further invigorate SAMLARC’s small-town feel. She recognizes that maintenance of and investment in SAMLARC’s assets is crucial to protecting its reputation as a desirable and high-value community.

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Contact Director Vasquez at

Marty Groh, Secretary

Marty's professional experience confirms his belief that organizational success relies on focused and interactive communication, collaboration, consensus building, teamwork, and leadership by example. Marty’s career spans nearly forty years in corporate, tax, and estate planning law. He was a founder, partner, director and officer of several successful law firms. Marty holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Drexel University, a J.D. from Villanova University, and MBA and Master of Laws (in Taxation) degrees from New York University.

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Marty’s SAMLARC experience includes his role as Secretary and Member of the Community Lifestyle, Communications, Covenant, Fireworks Claim Ad Hoc, Landscape Products Ad Hoc, and Insurance Review Committees.

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Previously, Marty served as a Board Director for the Alicante HOA, and remains on Alicante’s Finance/Budget Committee. He served as a Board Director and President of an Irvine HOA, the Orange County Lacrosse League, and the Orange County Youth Lacrosse Association, as well as a club soccer coach and administrator. Additionally, Marty volunteered with Canine Companions for Independence as a puppy trainer for the Wounded Veterans Initiative.

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Marty is the proud father of two children. His son, Kevin, is a graduate of UCLA with a Master of Professional Writing degree from USC and a Master of Teaching degree from UCI. Kevin is a US Army combat veteran and teaches high school English Literature. His daughter, Erin, is a graduate of UCSB, with a career in corporate events planning.

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Marty would like to meet and hear from as many Members as possible so that he can have your input on what matters to you.

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Contact Director Groh at

Robert Louvar, Chief Financial Officer

Robert Louvar and his wife Monica are transplants from the Midwest. In 2006, they moved to Southern California to be near their oldest daughter and her family, while also enjoying California’s weather and lifestyle. Robert’s greatest accomplishment is raising three amazing children who have given him six delightful grandsons.

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Robert was a commercial banker for 40+ years with institutions such as Union Bank, California Bank & Trust and JPMorgan Chase. He has worked with publicly traded companies as well as governmental and nonprofit organizations, and now owns a consultancy that assists businesses in obtaining access to credit. He holds a BBA from the University of Iowa and Graduate Degree in Banking from Stonier.

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As an RSM resident for 13 years, Robert brings renewed focus and energy to our community. Robert has served as SAMLARC’s CFO and on many Committees, including the Architectural Review, Budget and Cash Flow, and Community Lifestyle Committees. He previously served as a Board Member of the Raise foundation and is active with OC Fire Watch, Cleveland National Forestry, and the RSM Chamber of Commerce.

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Robert believes he has the knowledge and understanding of the cash flow projections required to fund current and future community projects. His goal is to ensure that SAMLARC meets the needs of its Members.

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The most pressing issues facing SAMLARC in 2019 are…

1. Completion of the Lake Ecosystem Repair Project

2. Rejuvenating SAMLARC’s landscape and infrastructure

3. Developing a Defensible Space Plan per OCFA’s enhanced requirements

As Stephen Covey said; “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”

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Contact Director Louvar at

Jeff Halbreich, Director

Jeff Halbreich brings a wealth of professional and financial experience to the SAMLARC Board of Directors. He has worked in the financial services industry for 18 years and managed his own franchise since 2010. Jeff's financial acumen has enabled him to make responsible decisions regarding the future of the SAMLARC community. For example, Jeff envisions a progressive yet comprehensive revitalization of SAMLARC's landscape design over the next several years to balance the goal of aesthetic improvements with common-sense financial wisdom.

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In addition to his professional experience in the financial industry, Jeff has a rich history of serving his community. He served in the United States Army from 1994 – 1997 as a Unit Supply Specialist and continues to volunteer with the Team 2/5 RSM, who provide support and assistance to the men and women of 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines and their families. In the past, Jeff served on the Board of Directors for the RSM Chamber of Commerce and dedicated time to planning chamber events.

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Jeff says his vision for SAMLARC is, “To continue to maintain SAMLARC’s assets and amenities in ways that provide the best value to our members, promote opportunities for greater member involvement and awareness, and actively engage with partner organizations within the community in order to support the SAMLARC lifestyle members enjoy every day.”

When discussing his role on the SAMLARC Board of Directors, Jeff's focus on the community motivates his commitment to leadership. Throughout his time serving as a SAMLARC Board Director over the past two years, Jeff worked to place greater emphasis on Rancho Santa Margarita's sports leagues. He recognizes the value of sports for the youth in the community and has helped to strengthen partnerships within Santa Margarita Little League, RTGSA and AYSO to support the families and volunteers who coach young athletes.

Jeff and his wife Becky grew up just north of Philadelphia and moved to California in 1999. After they wed in 2005, they were in search of a larger home and a nearby school to accommodate their future family. Meeting all of their criteria, they settled in Rancho Santa Margarita in 2006. Jeff and Becky have a daughter named Ella and a son named Carter, whom Jeff deems the “loves of his life.”

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Jeff looks forward to serving SAMLARC residents throughout his term by offering his financial experience and thinking strategically about ways to enhance the lives of Members who enjoy this beautiful community.

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Contact Director Halbreich at

Paul Persiani, Director

Paul Persiani and his wife Stephanie are native Southern Californians. They moved to Rancho Santa Margarita in 2004 because the city offered the perfect environment for which to raise their family: safety, cleanliness, amazing schools, and community spirit.

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Paul and Stephanie are the parents to four beautiful children: Stephen, Brendan, Gabriela and Danielle. They are proud to live in a city that provides so many community activities and fosters the perfect environment for raising a family.

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Paul has 25+ years of experience in manufacturing, primarily as a Design and Process Engineer in the consumer product and medical device industries. As a volunteer and avid youth sports fan, he can often be seen giving his time to the youth of Rancho Santa Margarita as a Little League coach, and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for Santa Margarita Little League. He served as the President of SMLL from 2015-2017.

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Once elected to the Board of Directors, Paul became even more involved in the life of the community. His prior SAMLARC experience includes his position as the Board Vice President, as well as a member of the Budget and Cash Flow, Communications, and Election Committees.

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Paul’s goal while serving on the Board is to maintain the quality of life that all of the membership expects as residents of the community, and to strengthen the connection between SAMLARC’s Board, membership, and the City of Rancho Santa Margarita. He also wants to ensure that SAMLARC’s sports parks and facilities are well maintained so that the future of youth sports in Rancho Santa Margarita is the envy of other local communities.

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Contact Director Persiani at

Charles Villafana, Director

Charles Villafana and his Wife, Erin grew up in the San Fernando Valley. Both moving around California for school and work (San Luis Obispo County, Napa, Chico, Sacramento and Huntington Beach) they settled into Rancho Santa Margarita in 2010. They have two sons, Emmett and Callan. The Villafana family is involved in many activities including Santa Margarita Little League, AYSO, Santa Margarita Pop Warner and Cub Scouts. 

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Charles received his Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Systematic Biology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Since 2008, he has been a Fisheries Biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA-NMFS), where he currently manages the West Coast Region Observer Program monitoring commercial swordfish and tuna fisheries in the Pacific. Prior to that, Charles worked with saltwater recreational fisheries, inland fisheries, wildlife management and outdoor education for the California Department of Fish and Game, City of Newport Beach, City of San Luis Obispo and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. Additionally, from 1997-2004 Charles was a Los Angeles County lifeguard and swim, water polo and diving coach.

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Charles is a member of the Lago Santa Margarita Ad-Hoc Committee with a goal to reintroduce fishing to the Lago Santa Margarita Lake and getting the Golden Algae problem under control.

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Charles’ goals as a SAMLARC Director will be to ensure well maintained and utilized parks, pools and sports fields, and a healthy Lake, while maintaining strong relationships and partnerships with the City of RSM, community groups, sports leagues and residents.

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Contact Director Villafana at