As Blossom Rock continues to grow, so does the leadership helping guide its future. With a new representative from Brookfield Residential recently stepping into a board role, we thought it was the perfect time to introduce the full Blossom Rock Board of Directors.
Serving across all three associations — the Blossom Rock Residential Association (BRRA), Community Assembly (BRCA), and Community Alliance (BRAL) — the board works together to help shape decisions that support the community today while planning for what’s ahead.
To help you get to know the people behind the role, we asked each board member a few quick questions — from what excites them most about Blossom Rock’s future to a few personal insights you might not expect. You’ll discover what inspires their service, how they approach community leadership, and even a few fun tidbits along the way.
Consider this your chance to meet the people helping steward the vision for Blossom Rock.
Q&A with Mekin Sangoi - Secretary & Treasurer
Mekin Sangoi recently joined the Blossom Rock board representing our developer, Brookfield Residential. His role helps support the thoughtful planning and financial stewardship that guide the community as it continues to grow.
What is your role with Brookfield Residential, and how does it connect to Blossom Rock?
I am part of the Planning and Development team, where I lead projects from initial conception and visioning through planning and ultimately to completion. My role connects directly to Blossom Rock by helping support its long-term vision as a vibrant, thoughtfully planned community — ensuring that each phase of development aligns with residents’ needs while maintaining strong, sustainable growth for the future.
What drew you to this project, and what excites you most about Blossom Rock as a community?
I was drawn to Blossom Rock because of its focus on creating a truly connected and livable community. What excites me most is seeing how the design, amenities, and events bring neighbors together—turning a neighborhood into a place where families and individuals feel they truly belong.
What perspective or experience do you hope to bring to the board?
I hope to bring a perspective that balances both the development side and the resident experience. My background in real estate allows me to contribute insights on growth and sustainability, while also emphasizing what makes a community feel welcoming and engaging for its residents.
What’s something residents might not realize about the work that happens behind the scenes to support a growing community?
Many residents might not realize just how much coordination, planning, and attention to detail goes into every aspect of a growing community — from organizing events to maintaining landscaping and amenities, and ensuring smooth communication between homeowners, contractors, and management. There is also a strong focus on keeping the community safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for residents of all ages. A great deal happens behind the scenes to make everyday life feel seamless and to create an environment where families can truly thrive.
When you think about Blossom Rock a few years from now, what do you hope it’s known for?
I hope Blossom Rock is known as a community that combines thoughtful design with a strong sense of connection — where families grow, neighbors support each other, and it’s a place that feels more like home than just a neighborhood.
Quick favorites:
Coffee & a desert sunset.
Q&A with Holly Crea - Vice President
Holly Crea has served as a developer representative on the Blossom Rock board since the early days of the community. While she’s been part of shaping Blossom Rock from the beginning, this is her official introduction to residents.
You’ve been involved with Blossom Rock since its earliest days — what initially drew you to this community?
I started with the Blossom Rock community from the very beginning and even helped vote on its name. I voted for Blossom Rock over the other name that was being considered. For me, it was exciting to be part of a project that adds to the easy-going Apache Junction community, especially with the beautiful views of the Superstition Mountains.
How does your role as a developer representative on the board support residents today?
My role as a developer representative helps residents understand the “why” behind how the community was created. By sharing those experiences, I hope to help residents feel more connected and more involved in the Apache Junction community as a whole.
What’s been most rewarding for you in watching Blossom Rock grow and take shape?
Being part of creating and connecting the City of Apache Junction to the Blossom Rock community has been the most rewarding. Similar to AJ’s downtown dog parks, we have dog statues like “Rocky” in our dog park at Blossom Rock, and we’ve added a dedication to a park in Phase 2 in remembrance of fallen AJPD officer Gabriel Facio. These are the meaningful moments that make creating this community so special.
What’s been most rewarding for you in watching Blossom Rock grow and take shape?
Being part of creating and connecting the City of Apache Junction to the Blossom Rock community has been the most rewarding. Similar to AJ’s downtown dog parks, we have dog statues like “Rocky” in our dog park at Blossom Rock, and we’ve added a dedication to a park in Phase 2 in remembrance of fallen AJPD officer Gabriel Facio. These are the meaningful moments that make creating this community so special.
As the community evolves, what’s something you’re especially focused on helping guide or protect?
I currently serve on the Design Review Committee for Blossom Rock, helping to keep the community’s promise of a beautiful environment.
What’s one thing you hope residents always feel confident about when it comes to the board’s work?
Knowing that our job is to help guide the association management company and residents, and to encourage involvement within the community, the city, and with their neighbors.
When you picture a perfect day in a master-planned community, what’s one small detail that makes it feel successful to you?
Seeing the community engaging — with residents, families, and friends enjoying every part of what our team has put together.
Q&A with Paul Lillis - President
Paul Lilis is also a long-standing developer representative on the Blossom Rock board, bringing continuity and institutional knowledge as the community continues to grow.
You’ve been part of Blossom Rock since the beginning — what stood out to you about this community early on?
I was hired by Brookfield to lead this project back in 2021 shortly after they won the state auction for the land that would become Radiance and Blossom Rock respectively. Back then, we did not even officially have a name for the community, nor a logo. I was specifically hired because of my background in large scale roadway, pipelines, and facilities construction. Little did I know at the time that it would be over three years before a house was built and sold in the community; that’s a really long time.
What role does a developer representative play in helping balance present-day needs with long-term planning?
To expand upon what was mentioned in the previous question and response, not only have I spent years planning, engineering, and coordinating with the City of Apache Junction nearly every detail of the community, from the alignment of the neighborhood streets, what species of trees get planted in the parks, where a school should go, but our team has also spent several hundreds of millions of dollars to bring those plans to life and deliver the best place to live possible. Fundamentally, the reason the developer keeps representatives on the boards is to continue to deliver that best place, without deviation, until there is no longer anything else to deliver.
Looking back, what moment or milestone has been most meaningful to you as Blossom Rock has grown?
I don’t think I can compare the dozen or so events I’ve coordinated or delivered for the development to the grand opening in 2024. Grand opening of a master planned community is something the majority of development professionals never get to experience in their whole career; it is the culmination of years of planning and construction, and at the same time, it is the starting pistol to a whole other phase in the development that gets layered on top of more planning and construction going forward.
As the community enters its next phase, what do you see as the board’s most important focus?
To reiterate my response from the second question, the most important focus is to ensure that we are delivering the best place to live that’s possible. That being said, in order to do that, it does require both listening to our customers, and trial and error. What was best last year may not be what is best this year or in five years from now, we need to observe and take note of our customers’ preferences and not be afraid to try things we’ve not tried before.
What message would you like residents to keep in mind about how board decisions are made?
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction! For every person, group, or motive to door change anything, there is another person, group and motive that sees things in an opposing direction despite both groups willingly joining the community for the same reasons. There are likely elements of the community that are least liked by some which are the favorite parts of the community by others.
Desert mornings or desert evenings — and why?
Desert mornings, I find great satisfaction in the amount of productivity I can get out of a day, and if I can experience a sunrise while doing something outside that usually means I was able to get enough out of a whole day.
Looking ahead, together
Blossom Rock is built through collaboration — between residents, volunteers, staff, and board members alike. Developer representatives play an important role in supporting the long-term health of the community, helping ensure thoughtful planning, continuity, and care as Blossom Rock continues to grow.
We’re grateful to Mekin, Holly, and Paul for their continued commitment to Blossom Rock and for helping guide the community with intention. And of course, thank you to our residents for being active participants in what makes this place feel like home.
Want to meet the board? Residents are always welcome to attend the next board meeting on March 18.