Dear Caribe Resort Owners,
The Annual Caribe Resort Homeowners Association Meeting will take place on Saturday, March 21st, 2026, at 1:00pm in the D100 Meeting Space. Lunch will be served starting at 12pm.
On Friday, March 20th, 2026, from 5pm-7pm a welcome reception will be held at the lazy river deck (weather permitting).
We anticipate the meeting will have full capacity, however, we will also be live streaming the meeting on the owner website. A full notification by mail was sent out on March 3rd, 2026. The mail-out will include an official meeting notice, 2026 proposed budget, board member and candidate biographies and a proxy form. A proxy will also be emailed via docusign.
The current board is up for re-election. The current board members are Larry Wireman, Rick Legendre, and Mark Taupeka. In addition we have the following owners running for the Board including Gary Hunt, Richard Kincaid and Jimmy McClain.
If you have any questions for the Board, please submit them to [email protected] prior to the meeting and they will be addressed.
The Board strongly urges you to send your proxies in so that we can establish a 51% voting quorum. Each year, we struggle and expense immense effort and time to collect these in advance. If you send your proxy in but attend the meeting, your proxy will be given back to you upon entering the meeting.
See Below for the Current Board Member and Candidate Biographies:
Larry Wireman ᐧ Current Board Member ᐧ
My exceptional wife Judy and I have three wonderful daughters: Tess, Tori, and Tina. This property holds special significance for me as my first major development in Orange Beach. Along with my family and partners we proudly own and operate key assets that enhance the Caribe experience, including Cobalt Restaurant, Caribe Marina, Caribe Realty, and the two adjacent lots which are used for parking.
My first job was working on a corn farm in Kentucky. From there, I moved into surveying, pile driving, painting, and welding before founding my own HVAC and welding companies. For about 20 years, I specialized in major industrial projects, including work on the Alaskan Pipeline. In 1989, I acquired the land that would become Caribe. After navigating a decade of regulatory challenges, we successfully created Caribe Resort.
Over the past 25 years, Caribe has weathered significant trials: three major hurricanes, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, 2008 recession, and post 2020 inflation. Looking ahead, key challenges include securing affordable insurance amid provider scarcity and ongoing inflation, navigating a tight labor market, and ensuring that our property remains a premier destination on the Gulf. The Caribe Board has an exceptional history of minimizing dues increases and assessments, and I am committed to upholding that standard as effectively as possible.
We all share a substantial investment in Caribe, and together with the other board members, I will continue working diligently to protect and grow its value. I spend much of my time on-site in our offices, so if you have concerns, suggestions, or just want to chat, please feel free to reach me at 251-989-3055. I’m always happy to meet. Thank you all for choosing Caribe.
Rick Legendre ᐧ Current Board Member ᐧ
I have been a proud owner at Caribe for 20 years and currently serve as Vice President of the Board. My wife and I use our unit as a second home and spend approximately three months each year on property. Our primary residence is in Covington, Louisiana.
My professional background includes service at the local, state, and federal levels of government, including time in the U.S. House of Representatives. I was also the founding partner of a consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. Now retired, I bring decades of leadership and public service experience to my role with the Caribe Resort Condo Association.
What I love most about Caribe is the incredible view from our balcony and the camaraderie shared among owners and visitors. During my time on the Board, I have emphasized transparency and thoughtful decision-making. I believe our responsibility is to protect each owner’s investment while preserving the uniqueness that makes Caribe special. I sincerely appreciate the confidence owners have placed in me and would be honored to continue serving our community.
Mark Taupeka ᐧ Current Board Member ᐧ
Mark H. Taupeka was born July 29, 1967 in South Weymouth, Massachusetts. He grew up in a New Jersey suburb of New York City where his father worked on Wall Street in New York City. He moved to Fairhope, Alabama in the first grade when his father purchased Emperor Clock Company, at the time the world’s largest manufacturer of grandfather clock kits. Mark attended Bayside Academy preparatory school in Daphne, Alabama until he transferred to St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile, Alabama where he graduated valedictorian in 1985. Mark received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida where he graduated with High Honors in 1989.
Mark began his career with Andersen Consulting, which later became Accenture, in Tampa, Florida. After three years, he attended law school at the University of Alabama where he attained his Juris Doctor degree in 1995. He was admitted to the Alabama State Bar later that year. Mark accepted employment in Atlanta, Georgia with the public accounting firm of Arthur Andersen LLP where he was a multi-state corporate tax advisor. Mark was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1997. After a quick promotion to Manager, Mark joined KPMG LLP’s Atlanta office in 2002 where he was promoted to Senior Manager. In 2004, Mark and his family, wife and two young sons, moved to Mobile Bay’s eastern shore where Mark worked in his family’s real estate business. Mark remains a Director, Vice President and General Counsel for Taupeka & Co., Inc. In 2007, Mark joined what was then Blackburn & Conner, P.C. After five years, he became a partner, and the firm name changed to Blackburn, Conner & Taupeka, P.C. In 2015, Mark opened his solo practice Taupeka Law, LLC. He also co-founded Orange Beach Title, LLC. Both are located in Orange Beach, Alabama. Today Orange Beach Title, LLC is owned by Mark and his wife Kathleen.
Mark is licensed to practice in all state courts in Alabama, as well as the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts in Mobile. Mark has extensive trial experience involving real estate matters, particularly condominiums. In addition to court appearances, Mark has represented clients in scores of arbitrations. Mark has extensive transactional experience, assisting clients in negotiation, due diligence, document preparation and review, and ultimately closing. Mark helps clients form companies and navigate processes in probate court and with the Alabama Secretary of State. Mark holds a real estate sales person’s license with the Alabama Real Estate Commission and has represented brokers and agents before the Commission. Mark also holds a title insurance agent’s license with the Alabama Department of Insurance. Mark is certified in general civil and appellate mediation. He is on the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution (the administrative arm of the Alabama Supreme Court Commission on Dispute Resolution) Roster of Mediators and Arbitrators.
When Mark is not serving the legal services needs of his beloved Baldwin County, he enjoys spending time with his family and simply being outdoors, particularly boating on our local waterways. Mark has run 4 marathons (New York, Chicago and twice San Diego). Mark and his family attend 3 Circle Church in Fairhope, Alabama.
Dr. Gary Hunt ᐧ Candidate ᐧ
I attended Auburn University from 1973 to 1980, earning my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1980. I am married to my wife, Angela, and we are blessed with four sons and six grandchildren.
Since 1980, I have owned and operated Opelika Animal Hospital, specializing in small animal medicine and surgery. In addition to my veterinary practice, I have owned and operated an agricultural and timber farm since 1984. Over the years, I have also developed multiple residential real estate properties, subdivisions and condominium properties.
In 2005, I developed The Pointe at Sunset Pointe condominiums at Still Waters Resort on Lake Martin, Alabama. I was involved in all aspects of the project, including design, construction, sales, and the establishment of the HOA. I served as President, Vice President, and Board Member of the HOA from 2006 to 2011. I have also served as President and Board Member of the Lakeside Subdivision HOA on Lake Martin since 1999 and as a Board Member and Vice President of Eden Condominiums in Perdido Key, Florida, from 2015 to 2025. I am certified by the State of Florida to serve as an HOA officer.
I have owned property in Orange Beach since 2015 and currently own two units at Caribe, B316 and B1204. My family and I spend as much time as possible at Caribe, and I have been consistently impressed with the management, staff, maintenance team, grounds, and amenities. I would like to see Caribe continue to flourish. I am a strong proponent of timely updates and repairs and believe that what benefits the community as a whole ultimately benefits each individual owner. I believe what is good for the whole is usually best for the individual.
As a semi-retired professional, I have the flexibility to devote the necessary time and attention to serve the owners and support the continued success of the Caribe Resort Condo Association.
Richard Kincaid ᐧ Candidate ᐧ
I have been an owner at Caribe for seven years. I both rent my unit and use it as a second home, spending around 80 days each year on property. My primary residence is in Northport, Alabama.
I attended the University of Alabama and later trained in multiple flight schools, going on to become a commercial pilot. Aviation shaped much of my professional mindset, teaching me discipline, sound judgment, and the importance of making thoughtful decisions consistently. In addition to my aviation career, I have been a real estate investor and landlord for over 40 years.
I previously served for 12 years on the Board of Directors at Phoenix East, gaining experience in nearly every board position and developing a strong understanding of governance, financial oversight, and property management. I also enjoy boating and spending time on the water, which is part of what makes Caribe so special to me.
What I love most about Caribe is the overall first-class experience from the amenities, the condominiums, and especially the people. I am willing to serve my fellow owners and neighbors and would appreciate your support for the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of the Caribe Resort Condo Association.
Jim McClain ᐧ Candidate ᐧ
My family and I purchased Unit D1009 in June 2022 after many years of vacationing at Caribe. We currently rent our unit and spend approximately 30 days each year on property. Our primary residence is in Alabaster, Alabama.
I earned my Associate degree from Holmes Jr. College and my Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University. My professional career spans more than four decades in operations, sales leadership, ownership, and consulting. I began my career with U.S. Steel as an Operations Manager, later serving as Vice President of Sales for J.T. Sudduth Company. I went on to own and operate SMMS, Inc. for 18 years, followed by McClain Industrial Tech. for 12 years. I currently serve as a consultant. In addition to my business background, I served as a Council Member for the City of Alabaster from 2000 to 2012 and have served as President of the Fogle Lake HOA.
Through my experience in management, budgeting, and overseeing capital projects, I have developed strengths in financial planning, long-term strategic thinking, and building strong working relationships. What I appreciate most about Caribe is the safety of the grounds and the dock areas, which contribute to the overall experience for owners and guests. I would value the opportunity to serve on the Board of the Caribe Resort Condo Association and respectfully ask for your support.
