Carrollwood Village's Community Association Manager Retiring

He wrote war plans while serving in the U.S. Air Force, lost a bid for a commission seat with Hillsborough County and took the helm of the Carrollwood Soccer Club.

Dan Ruskiewicz has also been community association manager in Carrollwood Village for the past 27 years.

But on Dec. 31, Ruskiewicz, 74, will add one more title to his list of accomplishments: Retiree.

"I have diabetes, and I went to the doctor," Ruskiewicz said. "They (board members in Carrollwood Village) said, 'What happens if he retires or has to leave?'" 

Their concern led Ruskiewicz to make a decision.

"I said I'd retire at year's end," he said.

Jeff Greenacre, president of Greenacre properties, which manages the three phases of Carrollwood Village, said Ruskiewicz will serve as a volunteer on the board after Van Chandler takes his place. 

"With Van's background as past president of Carrollwood Village Phase 2, I don't see it as a disappearance of Dan at all," Greenacre said. "He will still have influence in the community."

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Ruskiewicz grew up the oldest of two siblings outside of Boston, Mass., in a suburb called Chelsea. He attended University of New Hampshire, where he played football and lacrosse and got involved in ROTC.

After graduating in 1960, he joined the Air Force, where he rose to the ranks of second lieutenant. He eventually flew cargo airplanes before attending command and staff school, and spent time in Vietnam.

He was promoted to colonel in 1983, and retired from the Air Force.

Ruskiewicz settled in Carrollwood after looking in Tampa Bay communities such as Brandon for a place to live. He didn't intend for his current home to be his retirement home, but enjoyed the community so much he ended up staying.

"We liked the area up here," he said. "At the time, Dale Mabry was two lanes."

After settling in, duty called when Greenacre approached Ruskiewicz one day and asked him a question.

"He said, 'What are you doing in your spare time?'" Ruskiewicz recalled. "He said, 'How would you like to work for me?'"

That began Ruskiewicz's career in Carrollwood Village. His job entails making sure properties are up to par by managing the grounds in the Village.

These days, Ruskiewicz handles most business from his well-manicured home at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. But the self-described "workaholic" says he'll miss a few things about his job once he retires.

"I will miss the everyday work, and I enjoyed what I did," he said."The bad thing about my job, or any property manager, is deed restriction enforcement. The toughest part is telling people they have to mow the lawn."

The next steps for Ruskiewicz are easy ones. Spending time with his grandchildren, three kids and his wife, Sharon.

"Traveling to Poland is a plan, just to get away," he said. "And I might play some golf."