BERLIN – Less than two years after his arrival, the Ocean Pines Association has parted ways with its general manager.
On Tuesday, the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) released a statement regarding General Manager John Bailey.
“The Board of Directors of Ocean Pines Association, Inc. and its General Manager John Bailey have mutually decided to part ways,” the statement reads. “Mr. Bailey intends to pursue other professional opportunities. The board thanks Mr. Bailey for his hard work and dedication to Ocean Pines and wishes him well in the future. The board will conduct a thorough search to identify a replacement for Mr. Bailey.”
Doug Parks, president of the board, did not return a call for comment. When asked whether Bailey’s departure had already occurred and if so who was acting as general manager, Denise Sawyer, the association’s public relations director, also declined to comment.
“The Ocean Pines Association cannot speak further on this matter,” she said.
A “Transition Organization Chart” on the association’s website, however, lists the transition management team as the association’s board of directors, led by Parks. While the board will oversee a few departments — such as police and golf — directly, Director of Finance Steve Phillips will manage a portion of OPA departments as Director of Aquatics Colby Phillips oversees the majority of departments.
Bailey was hired by OPA in September 2017. He came to Ocean Pines with more than 15 years of experience, as he’d served as general manager at two large-scale homeowners associations in Virginia. At a meet-and-greet upon his arrival in September 2017, Bailey told residents he’d been waiting for the opportunity to lead the community.
“I’ll be blunt,” he said. “Becoming the general manager has been on my list. I wanted this job. I told the board that…I intend to be here 15 years…Let’s be honest, in this line of work that’s a long time. I recognize that, but that’s what we are shooting for.”
