Steve Wishnack Steps Into Big Shoes and Grows Into His Own at CVE Master Management

When Steve Wishnack joined the Board of Directors of CVE Master Management, he was stepping into one of the most significant roles in the village’s modern history.

Wishnack was appointed to fill the board seat left vacant by the passing of Gene Goldman in July 2024. Goldman was not only the longest-tenured member of the board, but also one of the most influential figures Century Village East has ever known. For decades, Goldman shaped the village’s direction through long-range planning, infrastructure investment, governance reform, and an unmatched depth of institutional knowledge.

Taking over that seat was no small task.

At the time of his appointment, Wishnack was a relative unknown to much of the community. He was not inheriting a routine position, but rather a legacy — one built on years of leadership, vision, and continuity. The challenge was not simply to occupy the seat, but to honor its importance while finding his own footing.

Now, nearly a year later, those who work closely with Wishnack say he has done exactly that.

According to CVE Master Management staff and fellow board members, Wishnack has steadily grown into the role, taking on responsibilities with diligence and a clear commitment to learning the complexities of village operations. Rather than attempting to replicate Goldman’s encyclopedic knowledge overnight, Wishnack focused on listening, asking questions, and understanding the systems and history that guide decision-making at CVE.

Goldman’s influence on the village remains unmistakable. As board secretary and two-term president, he helped develop the first comprehensive long-term plan for CVE Master Management — a blueprint that led to the complete resurfacing of village roadways, the construction of new entrance gatehouses, the perimeter wall, and a community-wide irrigation system that transformed the village’s appearance. His service extended far beyond one board, spanning Grantham leadership roles, COOCVE, and the CVE Reporter, where he helped shape a more transparent and professional governance culture.

That legacy loomed large when Wishnack took his seat.

Over the past year, however, Wishnack has earned respect for his willingness to engage fully in the work of the board. Staff members say he has become increasingly confident in his role, contributing thoughtfully to discussions and demonstrating a growing command of the issues facing the community. The transition, they say, has been marked by steady progress rather than spectacle — a quality that mirrors the seriousness of the position he assumed.

This month, Wishnack faces his first election, seeking to remain on the CVE Master Management Board of Directors. Unlike his initial appointment, the election represents a direct decision by the voting directors on whether to keep him in the seat once held by one of the village’s most respected leaders.

A year after stepping into Gene Goldman’s place, Wishnack is no longer defined solely by the man who preceded him. While Goldman’s legacy continues to guide the village, Wishnack has begun to establish his own — one built on commitment, growth, and a clear understanding of the responsibility that comes with serving Century Village East.

In a role shaped by decades of service, Wishnack’s first year has been about earning trust, learning the institution, and proving that even the biggest shoes can be filled with time, dedication, and respect for the community they represent.