Town Council (2011-2013)

G. Steven Orban, Mayor My wife, Ginny and I have been full time residents of Kiawah since 1998. For the past 8 years, I served on the Town Council as past chairman of the Public Safety, Public Works, Environmental and Ways and Means committee. In 2010 I was elected Mayor and my term of office runs through 2012. I have been past chairman of KICA’s MR&R committee, have served on the KPOG board, and been on the Vestry of Church of Our Saviour. I presently serve as a board member on the Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic.  I am a graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in Civil Engineering and then served 3 ½ years in the Air Force to fulfill my ROTC commitment. My working career was spent working in the construction industry for major firms in Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and Boston. In 1998 I retired from Perini Corporation in Boston a Division President.   My wife and I enjoy the Kiawah amenities including golf, bicycling, the beach and the wonderful habitat around us. We have 2 sons and 7 grandchildren who also enjoy coming to Kiawah My goal as Mayor is to keep Kiawah Island as the premier resort and retirement community on the East Coast.

	Alan Burnaford, Councilmember  My wife Ellie and I moved here "full time" in Nov. 2000. I have had two careers. During my military career, I spent six years on active duty and fourteen years in the reserves as a naval aviator. I am a Vietnam veteran. I retired as a Lt. Colonel in the Marine Corps. Nineteen of my thirty years of corporate life were spent in Europe and Asia managing International and worldwide businesses. I was a Vice President and officer of Armstrong World Industries. I have been a member of the Town’s Planning Commission for two and a half years (Chairman 2004). I have been a member of the Kiawah Island Town Council for the past six years (Mayor pro tem during 2008). The Council has been very active the last 6 years. With the property owners’ help, we completed a development agreement with our Developer (KDP). I will continue to serve on the Town Council and to work to keep Kiawah special. We must continue to have a good working relationship with KICA, KIGR and KDP. The visions of all four entities, TOKI included, must be in line. We must continue to address issues related to infrastructure on Johns Island and continue to work closely with the Town of Seabrook, Johns Islanders, Charleston County Council, Charleston City Council and our State Legislature as Johns Island develops. Communication with all of you is a key issue as we move closer to build out.
	Charles R. Lipuma, Councilmember My wife Joan and I moved to Kiawah from northern New Jersey as full time residents in 1992. I am a graduate of New Jersey Institute of technology with a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering. My entire career of 39 years was with Exxon Corporation serving in executive positions in engineering, research and petroleum refining.  I have been very active in both the Town and community, most notably a Kiawah Town councilman from December 2005 to present. Other service includes: Kiawah Planning Commission, Chairman for 10 years Committee Chairman for design and construction of Kiawah Municipal Center. Head of Beach Renourishment project Chairman of Environmental Committee Chairman of the Kiawah Arts Council Member if KICA’s first Governance Committee Director, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Board Holy Spirit Catholic Church lector and building projects  My wife and I have 3 married daughters and 7 grown grandkids. We and our entire family love Kiawah as our home and as a wonderful place for them to visit.
	Greg Vanderwerker, Councilmember  Raised in Connecticut I graduated from University of Vermont (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and received my M.D. degree from Emory University. I did my specialty medical training at University Hospitals/Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, OH where I was appointed Chief Resident. After a one-year fellowship at Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC., Laura and I moved to Greenwood, SC where I was in a hospital based pathology practice at Self Regional Medical Center for almost 25 years. We first visited Kiawah in 1990 and were stunned by its beauty. We purchased our property in January 1994 as a vacation home with the intention of moving here upon retirement. Fortunately we were able to accomplish our goal and moved to Kiawah in 2006. My "off-island" activities include volunteer work with Sea Islands Habitat for Humanity, and Fields to Families. I have been actively working with members of the Johns Island and Wadmalaw Island communities to find a solution to the safety issues of Bohicket, River, and Main roads that is acceptable to our island neighbors. My hobbies include kayaking, camping, biking, and strolling the island with our dog, Charlie. Laura also assists in the preservation of Kiawah’s unique environment through her part-time staff position at the Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Conservancy. We have two grown daughters, one living in St. Louis, MO and the other in downtown Charleston. No grandchildren, as yet. I have enjoyed my involvement with each group and committee. I believe the best solution to a problem comes from receiving input from as large a base as possible and analyzing each point of view thoroughly and openly, even if they cannot all be accommodated at the same time. I hope to continue serving the community, this time as a member of Kiawah Island Town Council.
	Fran Wermuth, Councilmember  My family first came to Kiawah Island in the mid-1980s. My husband, Mike, and I quickly grew to love the island and visited as often as we could over the next 20 years. Three years ago, Kiawah became our permanent home. The beautiful environment and world-class amenities continue to delight us, our children, and now our five grandchildren. After 26 years of service, I retired from the federal government in 2006. During that time, I worked in the U.S. Senate and various law enforcement agencies in the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. I hold a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Economics and Public Policy from George Mason University.  I chair the Communications Committee and the Public Safety Committee. I also serve as the Town’s liaison to the Kiawah Conservancy.