
WHO WE ARE
Gulf United Metro Business Organization (GUMBO) is a coalition of local business leaders who are committed to the intellectual growth and development of south Baldwin County, Alabama.

2023 BOARD MEMBERS

PENNY GROUX
CHAIRMAN
PERDIDO BEACH
RESORT
​

TOMMY LEE
PAST CHAIRMAN
VULCAN, INC.
​

TOM HAND
BOARD MEMBER
VOLKERT
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JIM BIBBY
VICE CHAIRMAN​
THE WHARF
​

GREG ALEXANDER
BOARD MEMBER
CEO COASTAL ALABAMA BUSINESS CHAMBER

KRISTIN HELLMICH
BOARD MEMBER
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

DONNA WATTS
SECRETARY / TREASURER
CEO SOUTH BALDWIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

WADE BRADFORD
BOARD MEMBER
SOUTHSTATE BANK
​

MARGARET ROLEY
BOARD MEMBER
SOUTH BALDWIN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

PATRICK W. BUSSEY III
PAST CHAIRMAN
BUSSEY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

BETH GENDLER
BOARD MEMBER
CEO GULF SHORES / ORANGE BEACH TOURISM

CHAD WATKINS
BOARD MEMBER
WAS DESIGN​
EMERITUS BOARD

ANTHONY KAISER
CHAIRMAN EMERITUS

HERB MALONE
GULF SHORES / ORANGE BEACH TOURISM​

J. GARY ELLIS
RETIRED, GULF STATE PARK​

GREG LEATHERBURY
HAND, ARENDALL, HARRISON, SALE

ROBERT W. "BUBBA" LEE
VULCAN, INC.
EX-OFFICIO / NON-VOTING MEMBERS

ROBERT CRAFT
MAYOR,
CITY OF GULF SHORES​

RALPH HELLMICH
MAYOR,
CITY OF FOLEY

TONY KENNON
MAYOR,​
CITY OF ORANGE BEACH
MARTIN CHRISTIE
PRESIDENT,
CHRISTIE STRATEGY GROUP
MAECI WALKER
VICE PRESIDENT,
CHRISTIE STRATEGY GROUP
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
"Christie Strategy Group has played an integral part in GUMBO’s legislative and organizational success for over 15 years. Martin and Maeci have given our organization credibility and influence in the halls of government, which has allowed GUMBO to further its mission by ensuring that South Baldwin County benefits from an impactful voice in Montgomery."
Tommy Lee, GUMBO Past Chairman

IN MEMORIAM
Anthony Kaiser was the Chairman of GUMBO and served in that role for well over 14 years. Anthony was part of the original group of local business leaders who traveled out of state looking for a new way to help our area be successful at the state and national levels. When they came back from that infamous trip to Myrtle Beach they ultimately formed what we have today. Robert Craft was the first Chairman, but as Anthony has long said, Robert was just the “Showhorse” and Anthony was the “Workhorse.” A few years later when Robert ran for office, the Workhorse became GUMBO's Chairman and led our organization to amazing success.
The days and years that Anthony Kaiser gave in service to this organization and our community cannot be measured by numbers. Anthony embodied the spirit of GUMBO; the idea that business and government leaders from South Baldwin County can and must work together to offer broad, regional solutions to problems facing our local communities and state. In short, Anthony Kaiser, Chairman Emeritus, is GUMBO.
Why is GUMBO Needed?​
The south Baldwin County area is no longer a collection of small communities. We are a coalition of regional communities located in one of the fastest growing areas in the state. With that growth comes enormous opportunities and challenges. We need to work together to take advantage of these opportunities and meet these challenges. Local office holders, including mayors, county commissioners and legislators, want and need to hear from business leaders about our area’s needs for the future. Most importantly, they want to hear a united voice with a clear message. Due to the dynamic and explosive growth of our region, a unified strategy must be developed and communicated accurately to support the growing infrastructure, workforce needs, and product development. GUMBO is committed to working with the mayors of our local municipalities, members of the Baldwin County Commission, our local legislative delegation as well as our leaders in Washington, D.C. to focus attention on our needs and provide the infrastructure necessary for our unique communities.
What is GUMBO PAC?
GUMBO PAC is a non-partisan political committee that provides support to like-minded candidates across the state. Its success is dependent on the voluntary financial support of GUMBO members. GUMBO PAC gives us a way to join forces and elect responsible people to the legislature and statewide office who will work to provide the infrastructure needed to move this region forward while preserving our unique identity and environment. When we pool our financial resources together in GUMBO PAC, we can have a greater impact on the political process than we could by acting alone.