It’s election season in Laguna Woods. Eleven candidates are running for seats on the Third Mutual and United Mutual boards of directors in 2025.
In Third Mutual, Egon Garthoffner, Reza Karimi, John Kelsall, Peggy Moore, Heydar Nazeri, S.K. Park and Steven Parsons are in the running for four director seats, each with a term ending in 2028.
The Laguna Woods Globe reached out via email to the seven Third board candidates with a questionnaire asking them about their education and business backgrounds, their affiliations and activities in Laguna Woods, their ideas on improvements or changes that would enhance life for residents, their thoughts on the future of EV charging stations and solar panels, and a personal statement.
Six out of the seven Third candidates responded. Here are their responses. (See the separate report for the United Mutual candidates.)
Egon Garthoffner
Years in Laguna Woods Village: 10 years resident owner
Education: UCLA, B.S. Geology; USC, M.S. Petroleum Engineering
Occupation/Business Experience: 4 years service with U.S. Air Force. 35 years in petroleum engineering with experience in field activity, project development, budgeting, acquisitions and planning. Big focus on capital projects, learned how to spot opportunity and avoid waste.
Laguna Woods Village Affiliations/Activities: Director on GRF board for 5+ years, member of Chicago, New York, California, Aerospace clubs. Past president of German American and Topic Masters clubs and vice president of California and Aerospace clubs.
Personal Statement: My plan is to continue the spending control I have practiced on the GRF board. My focus will be on ensuring fiscal responsibility, enhancing communications with members and improving oversight of VMS activity. Time and again we have seen excessive spending proposals by VMS. We need to approve on the basis of need, not want.
What one improvement or change do you think would enhance life in the Village for its residents?: Laguna Woods Village offers many services that residents need. It is most important that VMS respond more quickly and continue communication until the service is satisfactorily completed.
How do you see the Village moving forward in terms of electric vehicle charging stations and solar panels inside the gates: As EV usage grows, we should make more charging stations available as needed only. The expenditure will be recovered by electricity sales to users. SCE electrical costs will rise much faster than inflation. Solar can help us defray some cost. Install on unused land near Garden Center 2 and on top of covered parking, but not on clubhouses.
Reza Karimi
Years in Laguna Woods Village: 10
Education: Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry, M.S. Petroleum Engineering, M.S. Biochemistry
Occupation/Business Experience: Over 30 years of scientific and executive management experience in commercial and government agencies. I have overseen and participated in the development and implementation of streamlined organizational structures and procedures designed to increase the efficiency and productivity of the commercial and government operations. I have several publications in scientific journals and numerous presentations at national and international conferences. Was federally appointed (by the White House) to serve three full terms (2005 to 2014) on the EPA science advisory board (ELAB) on laboratory issues, past board member of the International Association of Environmental laboratories, past board member of Battelle international operations. Battelle Memorial Institute vice president, Southwest Research Institute director, Severn Trent Laboratories Inc. vice president
Laguna Woods Village Affiliations/Activities: Past board member of VMS. Current board member of Third Mutual. Sitting and contributing to several committees such as Landscaping, M&C, Water, Residence Policy, A&S, etc. Avid pickleball player.
Personal Statement: The opportunity to serve and better the environment around me is a lifelong commitment that I have faithfully carried out with due success. I have a wealth of experience in managing multifaceted projects dealing with human resources and financial constraints. I have successfully overseen multimillion-dollar projects and will bring the same zeal to issues here in the Village. The chance to make a meaningful impact on the community is an opportunity I cannot turn away from.
What one improvement or change do you think would enhance life in the Village for its residents? Everyone needs to communicate transparently, more clearly and more often. This includes both residents and board members.
How do you see the Village moving forward in terms of electric vehicle charging stations and solar panels inside the gates? The issue of solar is not new to Third Mutual. A little over a decade ago, the Third board had the foresight to install solar panels on many of our three-story buildings. The return on investment is finally in sight with approximately two more years to fully reap the benefits. The Third Mutual board and the Third M&C committee working with our VMS staff to contact renewable energy service providers and export to see how we can upgrade our electrical panels in carports and three-story building garages for members to be able to charge their cars in their own carports. I believe our Third Mutual members prefer to have the ability to charge their EV in their carport. If we can make that happen, then the Third Mutual has no need for charging stations. This is a major undertaking for Third Mutual, and we need to deal with it sooner rather than later.
John Kelsall
Years in Laguna Woods: 13
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business and Accounting, Minor in Business Law. 15 graduate credit hours toward MBA
Occupation/Business Experience: 51 years in private business, corporate business and nonprofit organizations, plus multiple board positions, including owning own business (K&L Inc.). Branch manager Apple One Employment Services. President and CEO Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce. Nonprofit: Vice president The Jonas Project helping veterans start and grow their own businesses. Current board member Tenet Foundation. Special consultant to the U.S Department of Education to write the regulations for the Education Amendments of 1976. Rotarian.
Laguna Woods Village Affiliations/Activities: Board member Theatre Guild, “Beyond the Gates” Video Club, “Eyes on Books,” Boomers Club, archery club.
Personal Statement: My goals are to preserve and maintain the outstanding qualities and amenities inherent in this village. Laguna Woods Village is one of the top 10 best retirement communities in California and one of the top five safest cities in the state, one reason my wife and I chose to move here 13 years ago. I would like to help maintain those wonderful statistics. My driving principle for any decision is: What is best for Third Mutual and the Village. As a user of a wheelchair, I have a unique understanding of accessibility needs, which is especially important in a community that serves individuals age 55 and older. I am committed to ensuring our neighborhood is both welcoming and accessible to everyone. I believe that my blend of experience, passion for this community and commitment to accessibility makes me a strong candidate for the board. I would be honored to serve and work alongside all of you to make our community even better.
What one improvement or change do you think would enhance life in the Village for its residents? I believe that we need to expand and improve on our inter-mutual communications and cooperation, with resident input, for the long-term success of the mutuals and Laguna Woods Village as a whole.
How do you see the Village moving forward in terms of electric vehicle charging stations and solar panels inside the gates? We currently have over 500 resident electric vehicles, and that is only going to expand. We need to establish a task force of expert residents in related and relevant fields of expertise, board members and SoCal Edison to explore opportunities, future developments in technology, and ways to overcome challenges together, including solar opportunities, and how to finance them. As the new guy on the block, I feel I bring new blood, accessibility knowledge, experience and expertise to the board.
Peggy J. Moore
Years in Laguna Woods Village: 10
Education: BS Finance/Economics, executive management, UCLA & USC.
Occupation/Business Experience: 9 years chair and vice chair Los Angeles Redevelopment Agency Board. 4 years member and chair L.A. Police and Fire Pension Fund investing $13 billion in assets. 17 years Ahmanson’s Home Savings of America, Executive. 3 years nonprofit executive director L.A. County Sheriffs Youth Foundation.
Laguna Woods Village Affiliations/Activities: 1 year member of Third Mutual board. 4 years Audit Committee representing Third Mutual. 1 year in each of the following: Third Finance Committee, Third Resident Policy and Compliance Committee, Ad Hoc Third Governing Documents Committee, GRF Security and Mobility Committee.
Personal Statement: With 6,000+ members and a $63 million dollar budget, the Third board has many responsibilities. Boards determine the most immediate and future needs of the community. My background in corporate, nonprofit, city governance allows me to bring to the board perspective that helps us make the best decisions for our community.
What one improvement or change do you think would enhance life in the Village for its residents? Improved communications! Both from homeowners to the board and the board to the resident.
How do you see the Village moving forward in terms of electric vehicle charging stations and solar panels inside the gates? I strongly support solar installations in Third. In the next several years, Third expects to earn a return on its investment from 12 years ago in solar on Garden Villa buildings. I look forward to installing additional solar in the future. GRF has recently appropriated, in its 2026 budget, $875K for a pilot program to replace gate ambassadors with automatic gates. Based on the information available, I cannot support this program. The $875,000 can be better spent by GRF addressing many of the programs that are currently being deferred by GRF.
Sang Keun (S.K.) Park
Years in Laguna Woods Village: 13
Education: Electrical Engineering
Occupation/Business Experience: V.P. Battery Manufacturing, and Nano Manufacturing, Quality Professional.
Laguna Woods Village Affiliations/Activities: Korean American Association. President of Third Mutual Board.
Personal Statement: Residents first and help residents. Unwavering dedication. A commonsense approach.
What one improvement or change do you think would enhance life in the Village for its residents? No increase of HOA fee . I would like to try to no increase of our HOA fee at least one year.
How do you see the Village moving forward in terms of electric vehicle charging stations and solar panels inside the gates? I support electric vehicle charging stations inside of our gates with conditions of “Not accessible to non-residents.” I also support solar panel after we build up reasonable level of reserve funds.
Steven Parsons
Years in Laguna Woods Village: 11
Education: BS Warner Pacific University, studies in Human Resources Management and Organizational Behavior – United States International University
Occupation/Business Experience: Career in the U.S. Air Force, retired as a lieutenant colonel
Laguna Woods Village Affiliations/Activities: Aerospace Club (president), American Legion
Personal Statement: I enjoy working for the betterment of the residents of Laguna Woods. I am especially interested in landscape, chairing the Third Mutual Landscape Committee. I am working closely with staff to address the implementation of California laws as they relate to fire mitigation and turf reduction.
What one improvement or change do you think would enhance life in the Village for its residents? Residents need someone to be their “voice,” to understand their concerns and to be their advocate to the boards and staff.
How do you see the Village moving forward in terms of electric vehicle charging stations and solar panels inside the gates? This is a difficult question, in that I can only answer it as a member of Third. I support the use of solar in Third. Almost 11 years ago, Third installed solar panels on the roofs of three-story buildings. We are now beginning to see the financial benefits of this installation. As for EV charging stations, this is primarily a concern of those Third residents who do not have a private garage. For those in Garden Villas, I propose a pilot project to upgrade the transformer for one of the buildings. Those with electric vehicles could then have conduit run from the upgraded transformer to their parking location to be able to charge their vehicle. For residents who have a carport, Third already has a solution that involves the installation of solar panels on the roofs of carports. Therefore, with these options, I believe we can meet the needs of all Third residents with electric vehicles.