FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2009
CONTACT: Molly Dannenmaier
Director of Marketing and Public Relations,
409-765-7834
molly.dannenmaier@galvestonhistory.org

Galveston: Foundation Honors Volunteers, Welcomes New President and Board in First Annual Meeting Since Hurricane Ike

The Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) membership on Friday, July 17, approved the selection of David Bowers as board president for 2009-2010.

Bowers is a real estate agent with Galveston’s House Company who specializes in restored and remodeled historic properties. He is a licensed Texas attorney and has been a member of the Planning Commission, the Wharves Board and the City Council. He was voted best City Council member three times in Galveston County in newspaper reader polls. He has long been active with Galveston Historical Foundation, most recently serving as chair of GHF’s real estate committee, treasurer and vice president.

Joining Bowers as vice president is Cheryl Vaiani, a GHF board member who has most recently chaired Galveston County Historical Museum and Heritage Properties committees. Vaiani is an assistant professor at the Institute for the Medical Humanities at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB).

At GHF’s annual meeting at Ashton Villa, outgoing board president Tom Schwenk gave a farewell speech outlining a year that was without question the most challenging in GHF’s history.

The new board officers are: David Bowers, president, Cheryl Vaiani, vice president; Dwayne Jones, secretary; Jerry Mohn, treasurer and Tom Schwenk, immediate past president.

The other members elected to the 2009-2010 board are George Henley, Debbie Morris, Cheryl Henry, Angie S. Brown, Heather Wooten, Kelly Sullivan; Jamie Grady; Margaret Doran;Larry Wygant;Rodney Seiler; Lauren Scott, Adrienne Culpepper; Mardi Mitchell; Joe Willhelm, Jr.; Pam Gilbert; John Smith; Clyde Wood; Kay Sandor, and Vic Pierson.

The Phoenix Award, one of GHF’s highest honors, was given to executive director Dwayne Jones for his extraordinary achievements on behalf of the organization in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.

Five President’s Awards for Distinguished Volunteer Service were given. Robert Zahn, Margaret Doran, Merri Edwards, Betty Lou Glover and Ron Jones receive President’s Awards. Joe O’Drobinak receive the Outstanding Historic Homes Tour Volunteer award. Tony Rubino received the Outstanding Dickens on The Strand Volunteer Award.

GHF Benefactor awards were given to Tofigh Shirazi and his Beachtown team: Shari Sharazi, Marilyn Harris, Vicki and Roger Bird, Chad Murphy and Juan Barney. KWAL Paint also received a GHF Benefactor’s Award.

Donors to the GHF Education Fund were thanked for creating the means for GHF employees to further their education. Those donors are V.J. Tramonte, Robert Evans, Bill Leopold, Dana Bjarnason, Abdul Armin, Joe O’Drobinak, James Hambrick, Katey and Tim Falda, Hank and Cindy Raschke, Irrene Stofeik, Sean and Amy Warren, and Todd and Kerry Shivers.

The annual meeting concluded with cake and a group photograph to commemorate the 150th birthday of Ashton Villa.

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To view a photo gallery with highlights from GHF's 2009 Annual Meeting, click here.