COUPLE FROM FINLAND SETTLES IN THE WOODLANDS WITH
A LITTLE HELP FROM A TOWN CENTER AMBASSADOR

The Woodlands Town Center Ambassador Jerry Singletary never imagined providing assistance to a couple visiting The Woodlands from Finland would forever change their lives.

While working at The Woodlands Mall one day in the summer of 2006, Jerry noticed a woman and her husband in need of assistance. He offered to help, and they explained they were in town from Finland trying to decide whether to make a job transfer and relocate to Houston.

“They had never been to Texas and were interested in checking out the neighborhood,” recalls Jerry, a 23-year resident of The Woodlands. “I just did my job and told them about our great schools, our safety and the quality of life here.”

Little did he know his pitch sold the couple, Anders Staahlgard and Arantxa Villaplana ultimately moved to The Woodlands.

In fact, it wasn't until a November afternoon this year – more than a year after they first met – when Jerry was approached by Arantxa while making his rounds at Market Street. She had just finished work at Extreme Pizza when she reintroduced herself as the woman he had spoken to at The Woodlands Mall.

“I told Jerry how much we love living here in The Woodlands,” she says. “We've recruited several other families from Finland to the community. In fact, I've named The Woodlands ‘my little Finland.'”

Thanks to Town Center Ambassador Jerry Singletary, The Woodlands has helped a family who once lived half way around the world establish its roots in the community with certainly more to follow.

“We're grateful to have met him,” says Arantxa. “It changed our lives forever.”