To our Malibu Village Neighbors,
We extend our deepest condolences to the residents of Malibu Village as we collectively face the heartbreaking aftermath of the Palisades Fire. The loss of homes and the disruption of daily life is an immense challenge, and we recognize the pain and uncertainty this brings. Yet, we are inspired by the strength and resilience within this community. Malibu Village is built on the connections between neighbors, the shared spaces we’ve built together, and the spirit of support that defines it. As the process of rebuilding begins, we believe in the promise of renewal—not just of homes, but of a community that will emerge stronger and positioned for greatness.
As Malibu Village embarks on the critical journey of rebuilding, this effort must be driven by clear structure and complete transparency. It is important to recognize that there is a difference between running the day-to-day operations of the village and leading the complex process of rebuilding it. Reconstruction requires a well-organized plan that ensures resources are allocated efficiently, timelines are met, and the diverse needs of all residents are thoughtfully addressed. Open and honest communication at every stage will foster trust and keep the community informed and engaged. Just as crucial is having leaders with the right expertise—individuals who have successfully managed large-scale projects and understand how to coordinate logistics, secure funding, communicate transparently, and navigate complex regulations. Their leadership will be essential in rebuilding not just homes, but a safer, stronger, and more resilient Malibu Village. With strategic planning and experienced guidance, the community can move forward with renewed strength and purpose.
To ensure a successful and efficient rebuilding process for Malibu Village, we propose a recall of the current board the subsequent election of a “reconstruction focused” board led by Nicolo Rusconi, Sharone Hakman, Casey Engelhardt, and Darrell Whitelaw. We request that the current board and HOA Management Company proceeds with the necessary steps for a full board recall and election vote in the most expedient and shortest timeline possible while adhering to all relevant rules and regulations.
Each of these individuals brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and a deep understanding of business-at-scale that will be invaluable in guiding the community through this critical time. Their combined entrepreneurial and corporate expertise in real estate development, business strategy, finance management, communications, stakeholder engagement, and policy / governance ensures a balanced approach that prioritizes speed, safety, and long-term property value increase. With a commitment to structure, transparency, and fairness, this board will oversee the reconstruction efforts with clear communication and decisive action, empowering the community to rebuild stronger and more resilient than ever before.
This moment demands clarity of purpose and collective action with experienced leadership. It is not a time to be weighed down by politics or personal agendas. What stands before us is a rare and powerful opportunity—to rebuild a community that is stronger, smarter, and more prosperous than ever before. The foundation we lay now must be built on vision and collaboration, not on the echoes of the past. By focusing on thoughtful planning, innovative solutions, and shared goals, we can transform Malibu Village into a place where safety, value, and lasting prosperity are not just restored but elevated.
We ask for your support to recall the current board and elect Nicolo Rusconi, Sharone Hakman, Casey Engelhardt, and Darrell Whitelaw to lead the Malibu Village Reconstruction Board. Their combined experience and proven leadership in large-scale projects make them uniquely qualified to guide our community through this critical rebuilding phase with the speed, safety, and strategic vision we need. This board will operate with full transparency and accountability, ensuring that every decision prioritizes the well-being of residents and the long-term prosperity of our village. Now is the time for decisive action and unified leadership. By coming together to elect this team, we can take the first meaningful step toward rebuilding a stronger, safer, and more vibrant Malibu Village.
If you are in support please notify kelsey.j@hoamgmt.com and request a ballot for formal voting in accordance with Section 4.04 of our bylaws.
Please know that you are not alone, and together, we can move forward with hope and determination.
Nico, Sharone, Casey, Darrell.
The Malibu Village Reconstruction Board Candidates
Reconstruction Board Candidate Bios
Nico Rusconi is a distinguished real estate entrepreneur and hotelier with nearly $1B of developed and transacted real estate across Southern California. Renowned for his transformative contributions to the city’s hospitality landscape, he has been instrumental in developing innovative real estate and hospitality ventures that emphasize cultural impact, community revitalization, and intricate historic restoration.
Under Rusconi’s leadership, BLVD spearheaded several notable projects in Los Angeles:
CitizenM Los Angeles: Los Angeles’ first modular construction high rise, showcasing his commitment to innovative building techniques.
Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles: the adaptive reuse development of the historic United Artists building, transforming it into a 183-key hotel that played a pivotal role in the revitalization of the Broadway Theater District.
The Hoxton, Downtown LA: redevelopment of the 1920s Los Angeles Railway Building into a vibrant hotel, preserving its historic charm while introducing modern hospitality elements.
Soho Warehouse: the conversion of a 1916 building into the renowned global private members’ club - contributing to the area’s cultural and social renaissance
The Georgian Hotel: In 2020, Rusconi led the acquisition and subsequent restoration of this iconic 1933 Santa Monica hotel, aiming to restore its historic significance and charm.
Beyond his ventures with BLVD, Rusconi co-founded Chicas Tacos, a fast-casual restaurant brand that has expanded its presence in Los Angeles, reflecting his diverse entrepreneurial interests. His dedication to community development is further evidenced by his board membership with the LA Conservation Corps since 2016, where he contributes to programs focused on youth development and environmental conservation.
Through his visionary approach and commitment to culturally impactful developments, Nico continues to shape Los Angeles’ real estate and hospitality scenes, blending historic preservation with modern innovation. His skillset is perfect for leading the rebuilding of Malibu Village with deep experience across city planning, land use, design, development, construction, finance, community development, and sustainability. He and his wife Abi Rae have lived in Malibu Village since 2020, are avid adventurers and surfers, and recently welcomed their first child, Atticus.
Nico’s Personal Statement
As a longtime owner and resident in Malibu Village, I’ve witnessed first hand the heartbreak our community has endured after the Palisades fire. This shared struggle motivated my desire to serve as President of our HOA and to lead the fastest, most efficient recovery possible. I am dedicated to ensuring that every voice is heard, and I will remain accessible and transparent in all my decisions—because rebuilding isn’t just about buildings and structures, it’s about restoring our collective spirit and sense of community.
I believe we can overcome all of our challenges by combining expert advice with the collective wisdom of our own residents, fostering a spirit of openness and unity. I promise to work tirelessly to expedite rebuilding efforts, resolve conflicts diplomatically, maximize our equity as homeowners, and create a resilient, equitable future for Malibu Village. It is my hope that, together, we can transform this very difficult chapter into an opportunity to grow even stronger as neighbors, friends, and family.
Sharone Hakman is a dynamic entrepreneur, innovator, and experienced real estate developer with a proven track record of leadership and financial expertise. As the founder and CEO of Chef Hak's, a global brand of high-quality sauces and food products, Sharone has demonstrated his ability to build and grow a successful consumer goods company. Under his leadership, Chef Hak's products are now sold in over 12,000 retail stores across the United States.
Prior to his culinary career, Sharone served as a VP, Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors. This experience in the financial sector has equipped him with a strong understanding of fiscal management and strategic planning. He maintains several active securities licenses. Series 7, 63 as well as a California state insurance license.
Complementing his business acumen, Sharone has extensive experience in real estate development. Over the years, he has owned and successfully rehabilitated several properties, showcasing his ability to identify potential, manage renovations, and enhance property values. This hands-on experience in property improvement and management adds a valuable dimension to his skill set.
Sharone's business philosophy is rooted in integrity, transparency, and a commitment to quality. He has built his company and real estate portfolio on these principles, developing trusted brands and properties that prioritize excellence and innovation.
Sharone’s Personal Statement
As a potential board member for this HOA, my mission is to leverage my leadership experience, financial acumen, and real estate development expertise to help rebuild and improve the community. I am dedicated to achieving tangible results while maintaining the highest standards of integrity. Our vision is to transform the community into a beautiful and enhanced living environment, focusing on sustainable improvements that benefit all residents. My background in property rehabilitation uniquely positions me to contribute meaningful insights to community enhancement projects.
Casey Engelhardt is a distinguished executive producer based in Los Angeles, renowned for his transformative contributions to the film, commercial and music video production landscape. As a senior executive producer at Pulse Films, Engelhardt has been instrumental in developing innovative visual content that emphasizes cultural impact and creative excellence while managing over 300 productions totaling 150M in budget over the last 13 years.
Under Engelhardt’s leadership, Pulse Films has produced several notable projects:
Post Malone: Runaway: Engelhardt co-wrote and produced this documentary, providing an intimate look into Post Malone’s 2019 tour, showcasing his ability to capture the essence of contemporary music culture.
Power Progress for Tonal: As executive producer, Engelhardt oversaw this campaign directed by Aube Perrie, demonstrating his commitment to delivering compelling visual narratives in the commercial sector.
Delta presents “Why We Dream”: A feature documentary placing WWII vets on the beaches ofNormandy to unlock experience and wisdom for future generations to carry forward.
Beyond his project-specific contributions, Engelhardt plays a pivotal role in Pulse Films’ organizational structure. He collaborates closely with director talent and leadership to push creative boundaries, contributing to the company’s reputation as a global destination for talent and a leader in visual storytelling, alongside satisfying company business goals and revenue targets.
Casey’s Personal Statement
Malibu Village is my home and my father’s before me. My only interest is to rebuild our village better than before and to do so at a lower cost to account for the strain of this event. Our village is so unique, no other community can leverage a group small enough to find consensus yet large enough to drive incentives for everything ranging from cleanup to new home manufacturing. Finding a path together should afford us all upwards of 25% savings rebuilding this community and I am intent on making this a reality.
Darrell Whitelaw is a distinguished product designer and strategic consulting executive based in Los Angeles. As the General Manager of The Strategic Exploration Group at Walmart, Darrell oversees multi-billion dollar R&D workstreams to transform Walmart's offerings and experience.
Throughout his career, Whitelaw has led and contributed to several notable ventures:
Siberia: Founded in 2013, Siberia expanded from its initial New York City studio to include locations in San Francisco, London, and Berlin. Under Whitelaw’s leadership, the consultancy influenced billions of dollars of market cap for clients like Nike, American Express, Airbnb, Google, Chanel, Avis, and others, culminating in its acquisition by Medialink (now part of United Talent Agency) in 2017. 
Angel City: Serving as Founding Creative Director, he supported a group of visionary women in bringing the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) to Los Angeles, reflecting his commitment to community and cultural initiatives. 
Investor & Advisor: Darrell invests and advises multiple startups focusing on robotics and artificial intelligence, manufacturing, consulting, and other category defining initiatives.
Darrell's Personal Statement
As an owner and resident of Malibu Village for over five years, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the resilience and strength of this community. The devastation of the Palisades fire has touched all of us, and I have seen firsthand the challenges and pain it has brought to so many neighbors i consider family. Having completed multiple residential builds, including a 90 day timeline new build at Malibu Village, i have direct experience in managing the processes required to help our community get up and running again as quickly as possible. I am eager to bring a steady, fair, and inclusive approach to my role as Secretary under Nico’s leadership to assist every community member in achieving the same result to get home.
My focus will be on fostering open communication, ensuring fairness for all association members, and creating a collaborative environment where everyone feels their voice matters as we rebuild our community. I believe in the power of working together—combining the insights of our residents with thoughtful decision-making to address both immediate needs and long-term goals through direct action. By supporting each other, I know we can rebuild a stronger, more connected Malibu Village and move forward with confidence and unity.
Executive Committee Lead Bios
Jeremy Cohen
Governance & Compliance Executive Committee Lead
Jeremy Cohen is a dedicated legal professional serving as a clerk at the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Cohen plays a vital role in supporting the court’s operations and ensuring the efficient administration of justice. Cohen’s responsibilities as a court clerk encompass a range of administrative and procedural tasks essential to the functioning of the Superior Court:
Case Management: Overseeing the filing and processing of legal documents, maintaining accurate case records, and ensuring that all court proceedings are properly documented.
Courtroom Support: Assisting judges during court sessions by managing exhibits, swearing in witnesses, and recording trial proceedings to uphold the integrity of the judicial process.
Public Assistance: Providing information and guidance to attorneys, litigants, and the general public regarding court procedures, schedules, and case statuses, thereby facilitating access to justice.
Cohen earned his Juris Doctor degree and was admitted to the State Bar of California on December 4, 2023, reflecting his commitment to the legal profession and adherence to the ethical standards set forth by the bar. 
Beyond his duties at the Superior Court, Cohen is committed to ongoing professional development and actively engages with the legal community to stay abreast of developments in court administration and legal procedures.