OEVA

August 6, 2021 at 3:28 p.m.
OEVA
OEVA
By Robert Reil

The Next Chapter
As the new President of OEVA, I would like to take a moment and introduce myself.
In the summer of 1978, I moved to Englewood from N. Miami for my senior year of high school with my family. No doubt, I have seen a lot of things change since! In those first years my father, Richard Reil along with my mother Janet, (who have passed in recent years) owned and operated “Reil’s Outboards”, a small Johnson/Evinrude dockside boat motor repair business on McCall Rd and Langsner Street.
After high school, I found my way to the Navy as a Machinist refitting Trident Class Nuclear Submarines aboard the USS Simon Lake (AS33). Next was supporting the Atlantic Fleet Support on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN68). During my tour I did not see much action, but I was aboard when the Nimitz returned for a second visit to the Gulf of Sidra near Libya after her initial 1991 encounter with Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi.
After the Navy, I was worked several years as a certified Honda motorcycle mechanic. Next, I found my way into robotics and automation, which sent me to Hong Kong for 6 months designing, installing, and servicing various equipment. Later, life transitioned into the IT field, and I became a certified Microsoft and Cisco Network Engineer. I did well and learned a lot.
Before long, life changed again for me in a dramatic way when a very dear friend pointed out that I was a “natural analyst”, suggesting that I pursue a career as a Business System Analyst. For almost ten years now, I have been working in the corporate world as an interpreter between businesspeople and computer geeks for large banks, power companies, government contractors and others. I love it!
After resettling back home in Englewood, I recently married a wonderful woman who equally loves this community. Life could not be better. Together we are building a rental business based on mangos and Thai food. I know that sounds crazy, but on the food end, you can visit my wife’s Facebook page, “Mango Tree Thai”, for details as we start up. For the rental, the concept includes improving the home of my teen years into “Mango Tree Lodge” (a 2-unit efficiency off Dearborn that could be a seasonal rental, an Air-BNB, or a Thai cooking class getaway resort). We look forward to sharing these with the community when the time is right for unveiling.
After returning to Englewood and getting reacquainted, I began volunteering for various activities and then I was invited to attend an Old Englewood Village Association (OEVA) meeting. The group had a new president, the organization was in transition, and they needed help, so I joined.
In the beginning, my skills and tech focus were probably annoying because their systems and processes, despite being constantly updated, still needed a lot of work. Thankfully, and with a lot of effort from OEVA’s past and current officers, the organizational systems and processes are getting a lot friendlier.
So, what is next? More technology is coming! With my background in linking technology and business processes together, I intend to see OEVA’s web, information, and social media services united into one friendly community tool that will add value to OEVA’s members and improve the organizations transparency and accountability. There is a lot of work still to do, and we could use your help.
Next on the list is to continue the development of The Englewood Arts District (EAD, formerly RCTOD), which is currently moving forward as a CRA community project and as an OEVA committee. Amazing things are going to come from this! The EAD website is being developed, signage and a logo has been created, a QR code purchased and linked, and an introductory fall art walk is being planned.
Another focus of ours is to continue the work of our past president whose passion for the arts inspired all of us. Plans are in the works for murals downtown, art contests and adventures, more youth outreach, street art events, music, etc.
Please join us when the Plaza is completed. OEVA will be resuming its’ monthly Town Hall meetings, and we look forward to listening and learning from you all.
I look forward to serving our community and sharing what is happening in Old Englewood behind the scenes. Exciting opportunities and times are coming on every front, and I cannot wait to share them with you in the coming articles.
Stay tuned and get involved! Visit www.oldenglewood.com and click Volunteer! We need you!