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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. 

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2024 BOARD MEMBERS

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PENNY GROUX

CHAIRMAN

PERDIDO BEACH

RESORT

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TOMMY LEE

PAST CHAIRMAN

VULCAN, INC.

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KRISTIN HELLMICH

BOARD MEMBER

POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS

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CHAD WATKINS

BOARD MEMBER

WAS DESIGN​

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JIM BIBBY

VICE CHAIRMAN​

THE WHARF

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GREG ALEXANDER

BOARD MEMBER

CEO COASTAL ALABAMA BUSINESS CHAMBER

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MARGARET ROLEY

BOARD MEMBER

SOUTH BALDWIN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

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TOM HAND

SECRETARY / TREASURER

VOLKERT

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WADE BRADFORD

BOARD MEMBER

SOUTHSTATE BANK

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CRAIG SAVAGE

BOARD MEMBER

AIRBUS

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PATRICK W. BUSSEY III

PAST CHAIRMAN

BUSSEY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

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BETH GENDLER

BOARD MEMBER

CEO GULF SHORES / ORANGE BEACH TOURISM

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TRAVIS VALENTINE

BOARD MEMBER

COO SOUTH BALDWIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

EMERITUS BOARD

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ANTHONY KAISER

CHAIRMAN EMERITUS

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ROBERT W. "BUBBA" LEE

VULCAN, INC.

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J. GARY ELLIS

RETIRED, GULF STATE PARK​

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HERB MALONE

GULF SHORES / ORANGE BEACH TOURISM​

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GREG LEATHERBURY

HAND, ARENDALL, HARRISON, SALE

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DONNA WATTS

SOUTH BALDWIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

EX-OFFICIO / NON-VOTING MEMBERS

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ROBERT CRAFT

MAYOR,

CITY OF GULF SHORES​

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RALPH HELLMICH

MAYOR,

CITY OF FOLEY

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TONY KENNON

MAYOR,​

CITY OF ORANGE BEACH

GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

MARTIN CHRISTIE

PRESIDENT,

CHRISTIE STRATEGY GROUP

MAECI WALKER

VICE PRESIDENT,

CHRISTIE STRATEGY GROUP

RYAN SANFORD

MANAGER OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS & COMMUNICATIONS

CHRISTIE STRATEGY GROUP

"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

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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.

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