Lg Chamber Serious

GALVESTON, TX – October 4, 2022 – The Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2023 class of Leadership Galveston.

Founded in 1984, Leadership Galveston is an educational opportunity that broadens perspectives and allows participants to gain increased understanding of community dynamics and public issues.

“I am excited about this year’s Leadership Galveston class”, said Lorraine Grubbs, director of the Leadership Galveston program. “We have a record number of 43 participants, attesting to the value our community finds in this program.” We look forward to working with our community partners to educate Galveston leaders throughout this valuable experience.”

Over the next nine months, the class will meet monthly in various locations around Galveston to learn about every facet of the community, enhance their community leadership skills and develop strong relationships to encourage innovative, collaborative solutions to the challenges facing our region. The participants will also receive their Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) through Visit Galveston.

“Leadership Galveston gives participants the opportunity to better understand our city and to prepare for the challenges it faces by meeting with and learning from today’s leaders”, said Gina M. Spagnola, president and CEO of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce. “It is our hope that each graduate will use the knowledge and enhanced leadership skills gained through the program to bring positive change to Galveston.”

More than 600 graduates have completed the program, learning all about what makes Galveston go—from its unique economy to its largesse of educational institutions to its diverse culture and attractive lifestyle. All major local businesses, most smaller companies and non-profit organizations embrace Leadership Galveston as a staple for any managerial or executive-level employee who is new to our area.

The members of the Leadership Galveston class of 2023 include:

  1. Brian Barnes, Classic Ford Galveston
  2. Doreen Bridges, Galveston College
  3. Wyatt Burchett, Galveston Wharves
  4. Angie Bush, UTMB
  5. Heidi Calhoun, The Tremont House
  6. Charlene Christ, The Big Store
  7. Amber Cyr, Sea Star Base Galveston
  8. Kika Davis, Twitter
  9. Jennifer Edenfield, GISD
  10. Melissa Elias, Coastal Community Federal Credit Union
  11. Pam Fleetwood, Virginia Point Inn
  12. Stephanie Fontenot, GISD
  13. Yessenia Fuentes, Coastal Community Federal Credit Union
  14. Bryson Frazier, Park Board of Trustees of the City of Galveston
  15. Mallory Frisby, Hospitality Health ER
  16. Karen Gandy, Better Homes and Garden Realty Gary Greene
  17. Deanna Gonzales, Galveston Wharves
  18. Shane Gordon, Gulf Coast Personnel Company
  19. Casey Gross, Memorial Hermann Hospital Southeast
  20. Timothy Harlin, DSC, FACHE, UTMB
  21. Preston Hill, MD, UTMB
  22. Judi Hoggatt, Sendout Cards
  23. Wesley Holland, GISD
  24. JaLene Thatcher Kambhu, Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce
  25. Phillip Malek, GISD
  26. Kimberlee Marza, Odyssey Academy
  27. Lynn McGinley, UTMB
  28. Scott Moon, Visit Galveston
  29. Jesus Moya, Rosenberg Library
  30. Mary Munson, GISD ACE Program
  31. Reid Nelson, Tom Schwenk
  32. Victoria Newsome, Mortlock Funding Group/Eatcetera
  33. Camille Perkins, Fair Winds Pet Hospice
  34. Monica Puentes, The Tremont House
  35. Wendy Reece, EDP Engineers and Inspectors
  36. Robert Schwager, Courtyard by Marriott Galveston
  37. JR Shaw, Unscripted Experience
  38. Brian Schwenk, Coldwell Banker – TGRE
  39. Amanda Simpson-Rickaway, UTMB
  40. Marilyn Swanson, Swanson Health Insurance
  41. James Wilson, Texas Tail Distillery
  42. Karen Wong, UTMB
  43. Michael Worthen, Moody Bank
  44. Leadership Galveston Primary Coordinator Carrie Davis, The Grand 1894 Opera House
  45. Leadership Galveston Coordinator Richard LeJeune, Coastal Community Federal Credit Union
  46. Leadership Galveston Coordinator Kyle Clark, T.Baker Smith
  47. Leadership Galveston Coordinator Amy Maxwell Chase, Bolivar Point Lighthouse Foundation

The Leadership Galveston class of 2023 officially kicked off on Friday, September 30 with a welcome reception and overnight retreat at The Tremont House. For more information about Leadership Galveston, visit galvestonchamber.com/leadership-galveston and follow their journey on Facebook at Leadership Galveston.