Meet the Mokan Family
This month, Stroll Inside the Gates spotlights the Mokan Family, proud residents of Georgia’s Lake Country for the last 10 years. Born and raised in Atlanta, Sandra Mokan went on to attend The University of Georgia, graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Peter Mokan, on the other hand, hails from Zilina, Slovakia. He received his master’s degree from Comenius University Bratislava in Physical Education and Civic Studies. Peter first came to the U.S. in 2000.
Peter and Sandra first met through a mutual friend at a party in Athens, Georgia. The couple is now happily married with two incredible children, Emilia Jane and Peter Dominik. Emilia Jane is a Junior at Lake Oconee Academy, where she plays varsity volleyball and varsity tennis. She is also a member of DECA. Peter Dominik also attends LOA; he is a freshman and plays soccer and football for the Titans. He also plays trombone in marching band, tuba in band, and he is a member of the Beta Club.
Peter is now the proud owner and operator of Affinity Outdoor Living, a company specializing in custom in-ground concrete swimming pools and outdoor living spaces throughout metro Atlanta and the Lake Oconee area. Sandra assists with operations in both locations.
The Mokan family was first drawn to Georgia’s Lake Country for the access to Lake Oconee. Peter has always loved being around water and spent many summers of his childhood on the pebble beaches of Croatia. “When I mentioned wanting a lake house, Sandra suggested that maybe we should just live at the lake instead,” recounts Peter. “At the time, we were living in Alpharetta and naturally started looking around Lake Lanier. Thankfully, our amazing real estate agent encouraged us to visit Lake Oconee. Once we did, we fell in love with the area. We bought a lot, enrolled the kids at LOA, and the rest is history!”
Over the last decade, the Mokans have fallen in love with their home here in Reynolds Lake Oconee. “We love the small-town feel of Greensboro while still having access to so many great amenities and activities!” continues Peter. “You get to know the locals, but there are always new people to meet and connect with. Of course, the lake itself is a huge part of what makes this area special! Between the restaurants, golf, fitness facilities, lake activities, and the events organized by Team Reynolds, there is always something to do.”
To stay active in the community, Peter and Sandra are heavily involved with the Lake Oconee Academy Foundation and the local Lake Oconee Area Home Builders Association. Sandra also enjoys supporting causes such as a local women’s shelter for domestic violence victims and the local food pantry, and Dominik enjoys attending Lakeside Church services.
In their free time, the Mokans love to travel, whether it’s ski trips, sightseeing adventures, or relaxing beach vacations. They travel several times a year and make regular trips to Slovakia to visit Peter’s family, often exploring nearby European countries along the way. Outside of travel, Sandra enjoys watching crime documentaries, Dominik spends as much time as possible on the lake riding jet skis with friends, and Emilia enjoys soaking up the South Georgia sunshine by the water.
