About

Billy Little - President

• Billy has lived in the Dells of Bittersweet since 2017, with his amazing wife, Jenny, and their eight children.  Billy served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years as an enlisted Special Operations bomb tech, retiring in 2016 as a Senior Chief (E8).  

• Now, Billy is honored to lead and serve as an elder in the Littles’ church.

• Billy is thankful for the opportunity to “love thy neighbor” by serving on the Dells Board since 2023 as Secretary, Vice President, and President.  

• His vision for the Board is to serve Dells homeowners by: maintaining the common areas; enforcing the association bylaws and covenants; and providing ethical and fiscally responsible solutions to promote a sense of community, enhance property values, and plan for the future of the Dells of Bittersweet.  

• He believes clear, honest, and open communication is vitally important for the Board to successfully understand the needs of the community and to inform the community what the Board is doing.  

• Fiscally, Billy will seek ways to stretch the Dells’ budget as far as possible while maintaining the level of excellence expected throughout the community.

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Alice Merz - Vice President

• Alice is excited to collaborate with fellow community members who are dedicated to keeping the neighborhood welcoming and vibrant.

• Before retiring, Alice taught pre-service teachers at Purdue University Fort Wayne, where she also coordinated and supervised field experiences. In recent years, retirement has provided the opportunity to explore new and renewed interests.

• Alice and her husband, Jim, have two young adult children who now live and work out west. Together, they have embarked on several creative projects, including building a website showcasing public art—an endeavor that has sparked an interest in learning new programming languages.

• Eager to bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the board, Alice looks forward to making a meaningful impact on the community.

• In her first year on the Board, she has implemented a monthly newsletter and the Dells website.  

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Mary Leininger - Treasurer

• Mary has lived in the Dells of Bittersweet since 2009, with her husband, Paul, and their two children. 

• Mary's career has spanned retail management, technology, and time spent at home raising her children, before returning to the workforce to teach, manage technology, and handle administration at Summit Middle School. Throughout her career, she has excelled by being adaptable, creative, and organized, while valuing teamwork and never backing down from a challenge.

• Mary feels privileged and honored to serve on the Dells Board from 2011-2017 as the pool coordinator, and currently since 2023, as a director and treasurer. Mary's vision for the board is to serve our homeowners by preserving the common areas, enforcing the association's bylaws and covenants, and offering ethical, fiscally responsible solutions. 

• Her goal is to foster a sense of community, improve property values, and ensure the long-term growth of Dells of Bittersweet. Mary will work to maximize the Dell's budget while upholding the high standards expected across the community.

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Christen Bauer - Secretary

• In my short time here, I've already come to appreciate the unique character and sense of community that defines the Dell of Bittersweet. That is what drew our family to this neighborhood in our home search. I believe that a strong HOA board is essential for preserving what makes our neighborhood special while also ensuring we plan wisely for the future. 

• My primary motivation for running is simple: I want to contribute to the long-term health and vibrance of the place we now call home. As a new resident, I can offer a fresh perspective combined with a strong commitment to fairness, transparency, and open communication with all residents.

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Steven Townes 

• Steven Townes is a dynamic leader and entrepreneur based in Fort Wayne, IN. As the Vice President of Operations at The Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana, Steven has been instrumental in overseeing the day-to-day operations and implementing strategies to ensure the organization's success and growth.
  
  

• Steven has a diverse professional background, having served in various roles at the Regional Chamber since 2018, including Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant. His extensive experience in administrative management and strategic planning has been pivotal in fostering a collaborative environment that empowers chamber members and facilitates regional growth.

• A graduate of Elmhurst High School, Steven earned his associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees from American InterContinental University. He also served in the United States Army for over 25 years, bringing a wealth of leadership and organizational skills to his current role.

• Steven is deeply committed to promoting the prosperity of local businesses and enhancing the overall business climate in Northeast Indiana. His dedication to regional development and ability to build meaningful relationships with community leaders, government officials, and industry partners make him an asset to the chamber and the region.

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Blandine Bustamante Helfrich

• This neighborhood is a gift to me.  Every day I am blessed by the kindness, friendliness, and generosity of our neighbors and the natural beauty of the Dells.  

• I feel a responsibility to give back to the community.  Serving on the board is one way to share in this responsibility.

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