Raintree Plantation
About
Meet Our Board of Directors
Maintaining the business and amenities of Raintree is no easy task. The 2023-2024 Board Officers and Directors below volunteer their time daily to maintain the directives of the Covenants. See the Committees pages for more definitions of role. Board members serve terms based on Annual Election results each September.
Originally from St. Louis. Dave and his wife, Pam, have 5 children and 9 grandchildren. They bought their property in 2016 and moved in 2017. Dave works full time in IT and also owns a successful Pool & Spa company! What he loves most about Raintree is "the opportunity to get involved and meet people."
John and his wife Jan moved to Raintree in 2020 from Chicago. We loved the vacation lifestyle here! After 35 years with ADP, John is semi-retired. You may see him in the pro shop or mowing the fairways at Raintree Golf Club. He has many years of volunteering with United Way and youth hockey.
Treasurer
Born and raised in Granite City, IL, Desiree has been a Raintree resident for over a year. She is a devoted mother of 2 and has a license in Massage Therapy; working to complete the process to become dual licensed in Aesthetics. In her free time she likes to support her children’s activities and the Raintree community. She is so grateful for the charming people of Raintree.
The Story of Raintree
Raintree is a beautiful gated lake community located in the rolling hills of Jefferson County, Missouri. Four lakes – Autumn, Spring, Summer, and Winter – lie within the gates., offering a variety of water sports, fishing, lake cruising, and floating. Most of the governance and operations of Raintree are performed by a 9-person elected Board of Directors and a number of committees – all volunteers.
Raintree was the concept of developers Norville and Kenneth McClain of Essex Contracting, Inc. and Jeremiah Nixon, an attorney. The purchase of the first 825 acres for what was to become Raintree was completed in 1977. In 1981 an additional 316.5 acres were purchased to become Raintree Forest, which was configured in 1- to 3-acre tracts. Then in 1987 more than 300 additional acres were purchased which allowed the addition of Spring, Summer, and Winter Lakes.
The dam forming Autumn Lake was the first in Missouri built to new, rigid standards enacted by the State. Raintree lakes are nestled at the bottom of hills throughout the development resulting in Autumn Lake having a watershed ratio of at least 11:1, which translates to 11 acres draining rain and snow melt into the lake for every 1 acre of the lake. Water will always flow downhill.
The first Board of Directors to oversee the business of Raintree was appointed by the Developers in September 1981. Starting in 1982 there were elections held to replace or re-elect Board members. In late 1983 the POA became incorporated. Raintree roads and amenities were turned over to the POA in late 1984 by the Developers, who still maintained ownership of the Country Club, Golf Course, Tennis Court, and Central Utilities. Eventually those were all sold to private investors, and although the POA/Property Owners had the opportunity to purchase them, choices were made not to take on the opportunities and responsibilities. Covenants tie the Country Club to Raintree, although it is privately owned, and many enjoy the beautiful pool and 18-hole golf course.
Raintree now consists of approximately 1,800 acres, within which 3,162 building lots were structured, 39 miles of road, 4 lakes, 2 boat launch ramps, 20 campsites, a swimming beach, a picnic pavilion, a maintenance garage, and the Property Owners building. Gates at each entrance are intended to provide privacy and prevent our amenities from being open to the public. Nearly 900 custom homes are built throughout the community, many on multiple lots, with room for many, many more to build and become part of this beautiful lake community.
Raintree SMILE
The Raintree SMILE initiative represents a visionary directive established by the Board of Directors for the 2022-2023 term. It is designed to promote an atmosphere of constructive development and to provide pathways for community members to engage actively and contribute through volunteering. The goals outlined are aimed at promoting a culture of continuous improvement and inclusivity, the Raintree SMILE initiative aims to enhance both individual well-being and community vitality.
Simplify:
The goal of simplification aims to streamline processes, reduce complexity, and enhance efficiency. By simplifying procedures, communication, and decision-making, the Raintree community can operate more effectively.
Innovate:
Innovation encourages creative thinking and the exploration of novel solutions. By fostering an innovative mindset, Raintree can address challenges, discover new opportunities, and continuously evolve.
Modernize:
Modernization involves embracing contemporary practices, technologies, and approaches. By staying up-to-date, Raintree can adapt to changing needs, improve services, and create a vibrant environment for its members.
Listen:
Active listening is crucial for understanding community needs, concerns, and aspirations. By genuinely hearing the voices of residents, the Raintree Board can make informed decisions and prioritize initiatives accordingly.
Evolve:
The goal of evolution emphasizes growth, adaptability, and progress. By evolving, Raintree can remain resilient, respond to external shifts, and create a sustainable future for its community.