Our Credo
Our mission is to bring unity, the ability to communicate with transparency and respect for all … while continuing to maintain the integrity of Old Northwood.
We are neighbors. We are friends. We are Old Northwood.
Steering Committee
Kathy Ahearn | Vice Chairperson
Kathy Ahearn and her partner Sue Firneisz purchased their home in ONW at 3215 Poinsettia in 2016 and Kathy became a full-time resident of ONW in 2020.Born and raised in New York, Kathy is a graduate of New York University School of Law and practiced law in both the public and private sectors for 37 years before semi-retiring in 2020. In her law practice she represented and advised school boards and other not-for-profit boards on the many legal, ethical and political issues facing them. Kathy currently volunteers as a Hospital Interpreter at Loggerhead Marinelife Center and you have probably seen her walking her dogs Huckleberry, Beau and Molly through the streets of ONW and feeding some of our homeless street cats. Kathy loves living in Florida and ONW and wishes she could have made the move from freezing upstate NY sooner.
(518) 772-7726
kahearn3@gmail.com
Bruce Ingram | Treasurer
Bruce Ingram and his husband Mitchell Zastrow officially moved into Old Northwood in May 2023, but Bruce has been a part of the neighborhood since he was born. His grandparents, Wayne and Sarah Moore, bought the house at 431 31st Street in 1955 and his parents, BJ and Ann Ingram, retired to the Old Northwood home in the early ‘90s. Bruce has had an interesting background with several career changes including working for IBM, serving as VP of Accounting and Finance at a hotel franchise, training employees at Oracle (a database/software company) on financial software applications and later writing the curriculum for the financial applications. In 1994 he left the corporate world for a time to open a restaurant called BJ’s (after his dad) in Atlanta. Now retired, Bruce plans to spend his time enjoying their backyard and pool, volunteering, painting and playing his keyboard.
(404) 310-1437
realsmoothy@comcast.net
Billy Grotto | Chairperson
Billy Grotto has lived at 407 30th street since 2004. Originally from the northeast he found Old Northwood by happenstance. “I got a promotion (at Twisted Tea) and expanded sales territory that included Florida. I didn’t know much about the state so I chose to live in West Palm Beach because there was an airport and the word ‘beach’ in the name. In my house hunt, the realtor showed me properties in gated communities that were very nice but didn’t seem to have a soul. After looking at endless properties that all looked the same, I drove around to see I could find a neighborhood with some diversity … and I simply stumbled upon Old Northwood. The biggest change that I have seen over the years is that there are more strollers and dogs on leashes than ever before, and I think that's fantastic. The one thing that has stayed the same is the spirit and comradery that has always been palpable here.” Billy is excited to be a contributing member of the steering committee to give back and make our neighborhood a better place. You can usually find him doing yard work or tinkering with something while his trusty furry companion Tank is by his side!
(704) 609-6321
bill_grotto@yahoo.com
Vikki Kemp | Director of Communications
Vikki Kemp, principal of Vikki Kemp Interior Design and a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), is also a past member of the educational board of the South Florida chapter of ASID. Vikki moved to Old Northwood in 1993 and relocated her design studio from Antique Row to Northwood Road in 2001. As a business owner, she worked with the CRA to create the Northwood Village business district. She has been an active member of the neighborhood and an unfailing (and fun!) volunteer. Throughout her 30 years in ONW, she has opened her home for numerous Candelight Home Tours and neighborhood events. Vikki’s long history in Northwood brings an important voice to the Steering Commitee. She has lived through challenging years when our neighborhood struggled with blight and crime, was part of the team in support of blocking our streets at Broadway, and a volunteer member of Crime Watch in our alleys. Vikki lives on 29th street and you will see her walking the neighborhood with her two companions, Zooey and Lolah.
(561) 301-4051
vikkikemp3@gmail.com
Sylvia Moffett | Secretary
Sylvia Moffett and her husband John have been proud residents of Old Northood for over 23 years. Throughout this time, they participated in yearly home tours, hosted cocktail parties, and enjoyed serving courses at the ONW Mayor’s Progressive Dinner. In years past Sylvia was a member of ONW’s Steering Committee, including serving for a time as Steering Committee Chair. She also served as the ONW Newsletter Editor for many years. For 7 years Sylvia served as our District 1 City Commissioner, where she gained a deep knowledge of our city and its decision-making process. Currently, Sylvia serves as President of the Esperanza Community Center Board of Directors; is a Norton Museum of Art docent; and is an ex-officio member on the Friends of the Mandel Library Board. Sylvia holds a Masters Degree in Liberal Studies from Connecticut Wesleyan University and has taught art.
(561) 319-6279
sylvia.s.moffett@gmail.com
Deon Curtis | Director
Deon Curtis has been a resident of Old Northwood for over forty-two years. He has served as the block captain of 26th Street and hosted numerous Candlelight Home Tours. Deon has also invested in multiple coastal communities including Old Northwood, Northwood Harbor and Riveria Beach. During his time in Old Northwood, Deon has come to understand the importance of companionship, unity, and respect for others. With his experience and previous commitment to the neighborhood, he believes serving on the ONW Steering committee would benefit other residents. Deon primarily spends time with his wife and two kids while managing his cleaning business, Deon’s Cleaning Inc. You may have seen Deon around the corner of 26th Street while walking his two dogs, Caroline and Zeus.
(561) 517-4459
deonrules@gmail.com
Joanne Toth | Director
Joanne Toth and her husband, Rob moved to ONW in June 2021 after living in Delray Beach for over 30 years. She and Rob have two grown sons who live locally. Joanne enjoys being involved in the community, antiquing in her spare time and spending time with family and friends.
(561) 542-9444
pjoannetoth@comcast.net
