Both men are highly respected, sophisticated business professionals with international reputations, and a long, distinguished history with Wintergreen
While he was providing much of the financial backing, Michael Donovan had not planned to oversee this small residential real estate development project at Wintergreen. When he found himself in the lead, he called his long-time friend LF Payne. That said, both men have a vocal passion for this project, which was once called Renaissance Ridge and has since been relabeled as Crawfords Place.
“If I hadn't stepped in, it wasn't going to happen,” said Donovan. “Bank financing was going to be a challenge.”
The two men, both in their 80s, say part of what drives them on this project is the pride they have in Wintergreen and its role in the larger community. They are also keen on making housing more affordable for people working here, which is why Crawfords Place will offer what’s called “workforce housing.”
Michael Donovan
Michael Donovan was saluted during last year’s 50th anniversary of Wintergreen. “Michael Donovan saved Wintergreen from being broken up and sold off into little pieces back in 1999,” Tim Hess explained. “Heaven knows what would have happened. There would have been all kinds of development; with no common cause, no belief in working with the environment.”
Donovan and his wife, Karen, lived in Stoney Creek for 25 years. He served on the WPI Board of Directors for six years and was in charge of Strategic Planning.
Donovan also financed the renovation of the Tuckahoe Clubhouse, and assisted WPOA to acquire it, while at the same time allowing the school to operate for another ten years.
His philanthropy is extensive and varied. During Covid, for example, he provided some $2 million for Chromebooks to support remote learning for latino immigrants in his New York community.
In 2010 he was a leading funder to expand the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. "We are a country of immigrants, that's why telling the whole story is so important," Donovan told The Wall Street Journal.
In 1963, having graduated from Cambridge University (UK) with an Engineering degree, Donovan came to the U.S. to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where Donovan obtained a Masters in Computers and Business.
In 1967 he created Donovan Data Systems (DDS). As CEO he led the firm for over four decades, developing pioneering software for advertising media billing and workflows used throughout the world before merging with MediaBank in 2011 to form Mediaocean.
LF Payne
LF Payne served as Wintergreen's Development Manager from 1973 to 1976 and the President of Wintergreen Development, Inc. from 1976 to 1988.
After his Wintergreen service, Payne served as a Member of the United States Congress for five terms representing Virginia's 5th Congressional District (including Wintergreen).
Prior to his Wintergreen service, Payne graduated from Amherst County High School, the Virginia Military Institute (BS Civil Engineering), UVA Darden School of Business (MBA), and served in the US Army as a Company Commander in South Korea.
Payne was a founder of McGuireWoods Consulting, a subsidiary of the McGuireWoods law firm, and served as the President and CEO of MW Consulting from 1998 to 2020.
He is currently a member of the UVA Board of Visitors, a member of the Executive Committee of the US Association of Former Members of Congress, and is involved in real estate projects in Charlottesville.
-Charles Batchelor and Flo Quick
