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"Happenings In HAWL" > Upcoming Board of Directors Election
Upcoming Board of Directors Election
Jun 11, 2026

Important Information Regarding Board of Directors Election

Your vote in this upcoming election is very important to the success of this community. Please do your research and gather the facts as HAWL’s future depends on good volunteers. Members of the Board of Directors are instrumental in decision making for the growth and development of Hide-A-Way Lake.

The Annual HAWL Board of Directors election is coming up soon. This year two seats on the Board of Directors will become vacant. Per the Property Owner Association By-Laws (Section 7), an election will be held this July. Four candidates are running: Joe Battaglia, Tom Gibilterra, John Pigott, and Stephen Strausbaugh.

On Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 9:00 am in Waters Edge Restaurant, a Community Meet and Greet with the Candidates will be held. This meeting will offer the opportunity to meet the candidates running for the Board of Directors and get the facts about this important upcoming election.

Below are the resumes of the candidates running:

Joe Battaglia
Please consider me when voting in this year’s election for Director. My background is in finance and banking, having an accounting degree and managing a credit union for 30 years. My wife and I have lived in Hide-A-Way for 9 years and are very active both inside and outside of the HAWL community. I currently am the Board liaison for the Lake Quality Committee. In addition, I have previously served on both the Security and Finance Committees in Hide-A-Way. I will continue to look for ways to improve HAWL from both a financial aspect and the amenities we enjoy. Thank you for your consideration on my desire to continue serving on the HAWL Board of Directors. I feel I bring a common sense, open-minded approach to the board. I look forward to continuing to work for the betterment of the entire community.

Tom Gibilterra
I’m running for a seat on the Board because our community deserves leadership that is transparent in the decision making process, fair, and accountable to the people who live here. My wife and I have been homeowners in Hide-A-Way Lake since 1998. I have served as president of professional, church, and social organizations. I am a founding member and current vice president of the Scholarship Foundation for Hide-A-Way Students, which through fundraising has provided 52 awards to HAWL students. I will work to ensure that our covenants and policies are fair to all residents, and that budgets, expenditures, and fees remain necessary, prudent, and focused on protecting property values and quality of life. I will encourage open voting, public discussion/input, and even dissenting viewpoints, because I believe the best decisions come from an environment where people are encouraged to share their views.

John Pigott
I am a lifelong resident of Pearl River County. I retired from The Pigott Agency in 2021. I still own and operate Pearl River Communications, Inc., which is the home of WRJW and the Swap Shop Newspaper. Past community service includes positions with the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Boy Scouts of America, United Way, and other organizations. I currently serve on the Mississippi Community College Board and am an active member of the Picayune Church of Christ. It is my desire to continue serving on the Board at HAWL to ensure that HAWL remains sound financially, protects property values, and provides a safe environment for all HAWL families. I continue to be impressed by the professionalism and integrity of the current Board and its ability to work together for the common good. It is important that HAWL continues to be the premier private residential community that we all desire.

Stephen Strausbaugh
Greetings Hide-A-Way residents. I am a military retiree after 33 years. I’m currently a Security Manager for the Federal Government. Board Members should serve the residents. I believe in honesty, integrity, and service before self. In my years with the government, I’ve been responsible for the budget of an entire organization. I was responsible for the maintenance of a squadron of planes. I can run an organization, manage its budget, care for its resources, organize and lead its people, and be responsive to their needs. In security matters, I know how a quality security force is run. That force must be people oriented, protect person and property and deal with people in a humane, courteous, and caring manner. I have been a Building Official. I want to bring
fairness to HAWL residents. As a board member, I have many great skills to use serving our community with humility.

The Election Committee will mail the official ballot along with instructions and the candidates’ resumes before June 29, 2026. Please carefully read and follow all of the instructions listed:
*Select two (2) candidates.
*Detach ballot at indicated line.
*Insert ballot into Envelope "A" and seal envelope.
*Insert Envelope "A" into Envelope "B".
*Sign your name and write your lot number(s) on the upper left corner of Envelope "B".
*Mail Envelope "B" with appropriate postage. Ballots must be received in the specified PO Box by July 18, 2026.

Unstamped mail, or those not bearing a signature or lot number cannot be accepted. Only those ballots received at the SPECIFIED POST OFFICE BOX will be tabulated. Do not send or bring the ballot to the Lodge Office or payment boxes. Allow enough time for the ballots to reach the Election Committee as they are picked up from the Post Office on Saturday morning, July 18, 2026, to be counted that day. Ballots received after that time cannot be counted.

Your vote in this election is very important to the success of this community. Please do your research and gather the facts as HAWL’s future depends on good volunteers. Members of the Board of Directors are instrumental in decision making for the growth and development of Hide-A-Way Lake.

Please see HAWL’s website under the Election tab for more information along with a sample ballot.

Hide-A-Way Lake Club, Inc.  *  601-798-1484  *  Fax 601-798-0604
P.O. Box 1011  *  Picayune, MS  39466