Welcome to the 2023 Board Member Election Candidates post.  Here you can read what each candidate would like you to know about themselves for your consideration.  They are not listed in any particular order.

Elson Ayoub

My name is Elson Ayoub and I have been living in Houston for over 30 + years. I moved from Brazil in 1982. I have had experience working as a Director for over 5 years for a homeowners association called Village Park. In addition, I have experience in managing safety, organizing the needs of my surroundings, working with homeowners, being attentive to others’ needs and concerns, and doing the right thing at all times. As the director, I was also a part of a board panel that would make decisions and establishes a budget for the community. Since 2015, I have been working at MD Anderson Cancer Center as a Public Safety Officer for the University of Texas Police Department. In my time of employment, I have won the Heart of MD Anderson Award for Stewardship and Safety. This award is given to 1 employee within the institution every month. In my current role, I enjoy helping patients from the moment they enter the building till they exit. It makes my day to greet others and see them smile and laugh. Battling cancer is mentally, physically, and emotionally difficult so it’s important to try to make a difference every day. 

Additional employment of interest is that I worked at the Brazilian Consulate in Houston for 10 years as a Visa Officer. I worked with US Immigration and was a personal Safety Driver for Diplomats and 3 Ambassadors. I also was an interpreter and worked for Schlumberger for 4 years, and Exxon for 14 years as a Special Security Agent. 

Overall, I know that I am a dependable employee, loyal, compassionate, have a serving heart, and a hard worker. I know that I have the ability to make a difference no matter what I am a part of and would make an excellent Director in Area 3. I am ready to be an asset to aid in improving not only safety within our neighborhood but also assist in making the homeowners association fee more affordable and continue to upkeep our beautiful neighborhood as the excellent president and board members have done so up until now. 

Thank you for the opportunity and wish you all the best.

Virginia Smith

I am a stay-at-home mom of 4, ages 2-10. We have lived in MNW for 3 years and love the community and I would love to become more involved in the community and what makes it so great.  I have been involved with the ACC committee since January and have enjoyed learning more about the community.  Prior to being a stay-at-home mom, I was an accountant/administrative assistant. I have a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from WVU. 

I look forward to being a part of keeping our community great if chosen for the board!

Margarita Salazar

My name is Margarita Salazar and I am excited to announce my candidacy for Area Director 3 in the Memorial Northwest neighborhood Board of Directors.

For those who do not know me, I was born and raised in South Texas and I moved to the Houston area in 2012, eventually calling the Memorial Northwest Neighborhood home in July 2019.

It did not take long before I grew to appreciate and love the Memorial Northwest neighborhoods. Not only are we close to everything we need, but the neighborhood is quiet, peaceful, established, clean and safe. I believe the good relationship we have developed with our neighbors is a stepping stone to having a harmonious relationship with other Board Members, together striving towards the same goal – maintaining the integrity of our area.

I also believe my line of work has prepared me to serve as an area representative. I am currently in Human Resources and I think it is important to listen to the constituents of my area and address their concerns, both with empathy and fairness.

I have two adult daughters, one of which lives with me along with her husband and my two beautiful grandsons. I want to provide a safe and prospering environment for them as well. We are not transients, we want to make the Memorial Northwest area our home, for years and years to come. 

I understand serving on the board is a time commitment, but I am prepared to make that investment into the future of this neighborhood, because that is also an investment into the future of my grandchildren.