Virginia seaside community changing its management structure, creates new post

By Greg Ellison

(March 4, 2021) After recently resigning following more than a decade with the Ocean Pines Association, Colby Phillips is heading south to become senior general manager at Captain’s Cove Golf & Yacht Club in Greenbackville, Virginia.

Phillips is set to take the reins at the HOA recreational community situated on the Chincoteague Bay by mid-month.

“Nothing’s broke down there. They’re really just looking to go to the next level,” she said. “They’re bringing in my position as a new position.”

Phillips was brought onboard by Reston, Virginia-based Indigo Golf Partners, which had been managing the community’s marina club and golf course, but is now assuming a larger oversight role.

“Captain’s Cove is transitioning to a new management structure because they’re going to be outsourcing all the operations to Indigo Golf,” Phillips said.

In the her new role, Phillips will report to Captain’s Cove HOA Board and President Tim Hearn, as well as Chip Harris, regional director of operations at Indigo Golf Partners.

“I’m excited to work with them and bring Captain’s Cove to the next level,” she said.

During a multi-part interview process with Hearn, Harris and the board, Phillips was pleased to learn employee turnover at the HOA has traditionally been minimal.

“It’s very small,” she said. “People leave there because they retire.”

Phillips said the interview process also gave her great insight into the community’s social and operational structure.

“I just fell in love with their attitude, enthusiasm, support system and culture overall,” she said. “It was a breath of fresh air.”

In addition to working with department heads to improve and expand amenities, Phillips will team with General Manager Justin Wilder.

“He’ll stay the GM and his input is invaluable,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working with him and utilizing each other’s strengths.”

Although yet to meet in person, Phillips has already spoken extensively with her new team at Captain’s Cove.

One of her primary charges is assuring Accomack County leaders appreciate the economic impact the recreational community has on the region.

“I want to build relationships with Accomack County officials,” she said.

Budgetary oversight and infrastructure improvements are also primary tasks.

“I’ll be involved with bringing full service high- speed Internet to the Cove,” she said. “I’m also involved in building and monitoring the Cove’s $5 million budget.”

Hearn unveiled the new hire during a board zoom meeting last Tuesday.

“Colby has been a long time employee of Ocean Pines and currently has seven departments reporting to her,” he said.

Hearn said in addition to past praise from Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola, Phillips was highly rated by a number of dual residents of both HOAs.

“Chip [Harris] interviewed Colby for two hours and gave a significant thumbs up in terms of how she ranked within the other senior level general manager positions Indigo Golf has around the country,” he said.

Hearn noted Phillips’ prior position involved substantial financial oversight functions.

“Ocean Pines, given the scale that it is, there’s significant income statement activity happening in many of those departments,” he said. “Not just on the expense side, but on the revenue side, in a non-covid world … aquatics is a million-dollar-a-year revenue piece.”

Hearn said Phillips exhibits stellar interpersonal skills and has an extensive history of community engagement.

“She works at a high energy level,” he said. “In my 17 years of being at the Cove, this is one of the best announcements I’ve been able to make in general.”